Gov. Jay Nixon entered Larry's Barber Shop like any other customer on Friday afternoon in Jefferson City, plopping down in a leather chair and removing his glasses. Aside from the the shutter of cameras and security detail, it was nothing more than a normal haircut.
"Let's trim me up here," Nixon told the store's 86-year-old owner Larry Horstdaniel.
It was his first trip to the longtime Madison Street business. Missouri governors over the past half-century have visited the narrow shop, Horstdaniel explained, and it was only a matter of time for Nixon to pay a visit.
The barber of 60 years said he didn't feel too starstruck when the elected official walked through his front door. Like he would with any customer, he just wanted to have a nice conversation and maybe share a few stories from his life.
Nixon, a yellow bib covering his torso, gave him the opportunity.
"Tell me about Korea," he said. "My dad was over there."
Horstdaniel happily obliged the governor's request, sharing stories from his years fighting overseas. He told him about his nine-month journey from private to sergeant. He told him about the sleepless nights. He told him about all the times he served on the front lines, bullets spraying to his left and right.
Around halfway through their haircut, Horstdaniel started to talk about one of his closest brushes with death. One night, wading through a low valley, he found himself surrounded. Chinese soldiers were gathering on the rocks above, guns in hand.
When Nixon asked him how he managed to escape, Horstdaniel started to shake his head from side to side.
"Very carefully," he said, laughing.
After hearing close to 30 minutes of stories, Nixon stood up from his chair and grabbed an item sitting by the front door. On the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, he presented Horstdaniel with a medal in recognition of his service.
Nixon said he was happy to present the award. It's something he always enjoys doing for the veterans of his home state.
"On behalf of 6 million Missourians, it is my honor and pleasure to present you this medal for your service for our country," he said.
Of course, once the ceremonial part of the visit was over, it was time for Nixon to pay for his haircut like every other customer that comes through the front door. He asked Horstdaniel how much he owed, but the barber stopped him short. He wasn't going to take his money.
"Oh, come on," Nixon said. "I've got the press here!"
Horstdaniel, cracking a smile, looked over at the governor.
"I was just going through the motions," he told him. "That's all I did."