by Susan Slater
The Purple Heart, being the oldest active military award in the U.S., has only been awarded to approximately 500 women since WWI. They call them unicorns because they’re so rare.
Larisa Dickerson, born in Chicago, Illinois, a Purple Heart recipient, came to Florida when she was 4 or 5 and graduated from Sickles High School, Tampa, in 2002. While in high school, 9/11 happened. It had a big impact on her life; therefore, she joined the military. She wanted to be a mechanic but signed up as a police officer and got stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, doing the usual police duties, traffic stops, DUIs, domestic disturbances, etc. A lot of time was spent in the field, doing rotations, and training to go overseas. In a couple of months, Dickerson got deployed to Iraq. She did security details for supplies, provided security for higher-ranking officials and other troops, and customs.
After a few years overseas, Dickerson got injured doing a routine mail pick-up when an IED exploded. She was facing towards the bomb when it went off. She thought she was okay. “I put my arm down and blood just starts going everywhere,” said Dickerson. “Oh, I'm not okay.” Someone in her unit helped her by cutting off the circulation using his hands. She was in and out of consciousness because she had lost so much blood. As Dickerson was about to be airlifted, the medical staff gave her husband her paperwork and her Purple Heart.
After several transports, she was taken to Landstuhl, Germany, where she received a soldier’s Angel Blanket to keep her warm. She had surgery on November 11. It was also her 21st birthday and Veterans Day. After other transports, she ended up back in Fort Hood, Texas. She had to learn how to use her arm again. Firearm practice caused great pain with recoil and vibration. Then came medical retirement.
“I didn’t even know what PTSD was,” said Dickerson about reintegration. “It was a struggle to be in public, around big crowds or loud noises. I was just trying to get through life and provide for my two boys.” She was working full-time and going to college for law enforcement and accounting. She became a Senior Accounting Manager, never letting her injury interfere with her life despite constant pain and complex migraines. She spends as much quality time as she can with her eleven- and twenty-year-old sons, bike riding, traveling, going to theme parks, fishing, and going to the movies.
The first time Dickerson’s story got out was at the Reagan Dinner in New Port Richey with Byron Donalds, sponsored by Wilt Simpson, who pinned her for the first time. It was very emotional for all present. Dickerson has been involved in events with other women Purple Heart recipients. Her sons also participate. She has been fighting for seven years for disability benefits and was recently denied, a devastating blow.
“I'm not trying to get special treatment. I'm just trying to fit in,” said Dickerson. “I'm just trying to survive and connect with people. When you've been through the worst and almost didn't survive, you look at life a lot different.” Larisa Dickerson is a true fighter and won't stop fighting. Her words to other veterans: “Never give up.” ♥
