COLUMBUS, Ohio — No matter where his travels have taken him, Army veteran and business owner Al Edmondson has never forgotten where he came from. 

What You Need To Know

  • Al Edmondson was inspired by his aunt and uncle at a young age to join the U.S. Army 

  • Edmondson served 13 months in Iraq and his squad earned a Bronze Star 

  • For 30 years he has operated "A Cut Above the Rest" barber shop in the Columbus Mount Vernon neighborhood 

“I’ve always been the leader that the other siblings looked up to,” Edmondson said. 

Edmondson established his barbershop on Mount Vernon Avenue in Columbus 30 years ago. 

“God’s put me in that place to be that kind of leader because I watched other people around me, like football coaches, other men that I knew,” Edmondson said. “And as I [became] a barber, just basically talking to my clients. I was able to build this empire just by reading books.”

The Columbus East High School Graduate spent some time at Findlay College but had to drop out during his second semester because his family did not have the money to continue his education. 

Inspired by his aunt and uncle’s military service, Edmondson joined the Army reserve.   

“My uncle was a paratrooper so, you know he used to come home and have all his medals and that hats and stuff as a kid,” Edmonson said. “And so I said, well, I’m just going to go to the Army. I didn’t think about nothing else but just go to the Army because I wanted to be like him.”

The money he earned from the GI bill afforded Edmondson the opportunity to attend barber school. 

However, one month into his new career, Edmondson was called to active duty—serving 13 months in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. 

The husband and father of two would go on to earn a battle Bronze Star award. 

“And we engaged in a little bit of gunfire, but not a lot because we had the airplanes over top. And also, just the work we had to do because we had to move stuff rapidly and get stuff where it needs to be,” Edmondson said. 

Three decades later, Edmondson surrounds himself with memories of the old neighborhood, loved ones, people and places that provide him motivation. 

He continues to serve the community as the president of the Mount Vernon District Improvement Association and is the CEO of a nonprofit health and wellness organization called “Making a Difference.” 

In 2016, he became the youngest African American inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame for his continued commitment to the country and his community. 

“I was just like, wow, I just got to pause for a minute, heart started beating a little fast,” Edmondson said. “I had a big smile on my face, and everybody asked what had happened. I said, man, I never ever thought coming from the projects, inner city, that I would ever be a recipient of an award so big.”

Edmondson said his mission is far from over. He’s looking to help young business owners, as well as curb gun violence in the neighborhood. 

On this Veterans Day, he is thankful.

“All those who have served, and the ones we’ve lost,” Edmondson said. “It’s just a reflection that, as a country, that we can work together regardless of color. And we can continue to be a strong nation when we work together.”