Purple Heart presented to Malmstrom Airman

Photo By Staff Sgt. Daniel Brosam | Staff Sgt. Joseph Dickison, 819th RED HORSE Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician, center, pose with his family and Col. Jose Rivera, 819th RHS commander, after a Purple Heart medal ceremony Dec. 9, 2016, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Dickison wants to use this opportunity to spread awareness about the relation between post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury and help other people through hard situations where sometimes they may feel they are alone. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam)  

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, UNITED STATES

12.09.2016

Story by Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam 

341st Missile Wing

An Airman from Malmstrom Air Force Base was awarded a Purple Heart medal during a ceremony at the Air Fields hangar Dec. 9, 2016.

Staff Sgt. Joseph Dickison, 819th RED HORSE Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician, was awarded the Purple Heart medal for combat wounds received in Afghanistan in July 2009.

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded in combat and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or who later succumb to their wounds received in action.

Col. Jose Rivera, 819th RHS commander, presented the award and recognized Dickison for his valor and commitment to the Air Force.

“That day in July 2009, (Dickison) and his teammates answered their nation’s call while serving their country,” Rivera said. “There was a mission to be done. They didn’t think about it and they went out. That is why we are here to honor him today and present this medal.”

Dickison had only a few words to say upon receiving his decoration, giving thanks for everyone’s support and shedding light on the many troops who have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve their country.

“There are so many deserving military members out there that have sacrificed more than me,” Dickison said. “I am blessed and honored to even be considered in the same category and this medal is a tribute to all of my brothers out there. It’s such a humbling experience.”

Dickison wants to use this opportunity to spread awareness about the relation between post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury and help other people through hard situations where sometimes they may feel they are alone.

“It’s a simple thing that a lot of people I know are in dark places,” Dickison said. “Sometimes it takes somebody to jump in the trench with them rather than coming from someone from the outside. I hope to be behind the curtain and doing what I can to help people better understand things.”

Dickison was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Valarie and their three children.

Dickison joined the Air Force in 2002 and said he joined the military because he felt like it was the right thing to do.

His hobbies include hunting, fishing and hiking. He currently has his Air Force Associates of Applied Science degree in mechanical and electrical engineering and his goal is to obtain his civil engineering degree.

• Date Taken: 12.09.2016
• Date Posted: 12.13.2016 15:34
• Story ID: 217569
• Location: MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, US