Home grown patriotism is alive and well in Water Valley Mississippi. Aaron Holder, a genuine fellow with a sunny personality. Every morning he raises the American flag outside of the Clip, Snip and Curl hair salon located on Water Valley's beautiful Main Street.

 

 

Growing up in the depressing dust bowl of the 1930s. Mr. Holder saw his

fair share of hard times. In a sense he is living an American dream.

 

“We helped everyone back then and we worked. It was the only thing we knew.

That's what this country was and is made of. I remember getting home from

school.  I would change clothes and would work in the cotton field. I got old enough

and had to make a living for myself,” said Mr. Holder in an elegant manner,

leaning back in an old-fashion barber chair.

 

 

He started out working in the National Youth Administration Camp. These camps were

designed to provide work and training for unmarried teenage boys in the

1930s. He held several jobs such as welding and working on river boats. In

the 1940's he moved to Memphis, and worked for Kroger Foods. As head

Butcher at Kroger he met the love of his life, Mrs. Bernice Holder.

Wanting a change in pace he became a barber, and moved to his wife's charming hometown of Water Valley Mississippi.

 

 

Mr. Holder, clean cut and straight forward. Has been pursing his passion for cutting hair for the last 44 years. In his lifetime, he has owned several barber shops in Water Valley. He tried to retire in 1988 when he sold his barber business to Mr. David Wells. Eventually, he went back to working part-time as a barber. Allowing him to travel with his wife, and purse another passion for aviation.

 

 

“I love to fly. I was actually an instructor. I can remember bringing a

kid up teaching him how to fly. We ran out of gas. There was snow on the

ground. Only place to land was a cotton field. I taught him how to

maneuver the plane for a landing. The kid was scared, but I wasn't.

There was no need!” said Mr. Holder.

 

 

With silver hair, this great-grandfather of four isn't showing any signs of

slowing down. He went from part-time barber to co-owner of Clip, Snip and

Curl hair salon.

 

 

“You can't keep a good man down!” said Mrs. Cathy Dunn, co-owner of Clip,

Snip and Curl. “We were just sitting around one day throwing out names for

the business. Mr. Holder said, “How about Clip, Snip, and Curl?” It stuck!”

said Mrs. Dunn

 

When asked why he raises and takes down the flag everyday he says, “It

stands for what I believe in. What many still believe in today. It

reminds us that we should not lose hope. No matter how much life changes.

How bad the country gets. I pray that we never lose hope.”