PAYING TRIBUTE TO SPECIALIST LARISA DICKERSON (RETIRED) ON RECEIVING THE PURPLE HEART

On 2026-08-03, Representative Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL-12) delivered a floor speech titled "PAYING TRIBUTE TO SPECIALIST LARISA DICKERSON (RETIRED) ON RECEIVING THE PURPLE HEART" in the House.

PAYING TRIBUTE TO SPECIALIST LARISA DICKERSON (RETIRED) ON RECEIVING THE PURPLE HEART

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E758-E759] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PAYING TRIBUTE TO SPECIALIST LARISA DICKERSON (RETIRED) ON RECEIVING THE PURPLE HEART ______ HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS of florida in the house of representatives Monday, August 3, 2026 Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary American patriot, Specialist Larisa Dickerson (Ret.), whose courage, resilience, and unwavering devotion to our Nation embody the very best of the United States Army and the American spirit. Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Tampa, Florida, Larisa answered our Nation's call to service immediately after graduating from high school. At just nineteen years old, she enlisted in the United States Army in 2002 and completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before being assigned to the 410th Military Police Company of the 89th Military Police Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas. In April 2004, Specialist Dickerson deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that deployment, she and her fellow Military Police Soldiers carded out some of the most demanding and dangerous missions of the war. They protected U.S. government dignitaries, secured vital supply convoys, established checkpoints to safeguard Coalition Forces, and trained Iraqi police officers, helping to lay the foundation for stability and security in a volatile region. Their professionalism and determination contributed to hundreds of successful missions under extraordinarily difficult conditions. Specialist Dickerson also made history while deployed. She became the first female service member in the United States Armed Forces to train on the Common Remotely Operated Weapon System (CROWS), an innovative weapons platform that allowed operators to engage threats from within the protection of an armored vehicle. Her willingness to embrace new technology and break barriers demonstrated not only exceptional skill but also remarkable leadership and courage, paving the way for countless women who would follow in her footsteps. On November 7, 2004, while returning to Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad, Specialist Dickerson's convoy was struck by a devastating roadside bomb. She suffered severe injuries as a result of enemy action and was evacuated first to the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad's Green Zone before being transferred to Germany for advanced medical treatment. Just four days later, on November 11--Veterans Day--she spent her twenty-first birthday recovering in a military hospital, surrounded by the sacrifices that define the true cost of freedom. For the wounds she sustained in combat, she was awarded the Purple Heart, one of our Nation's most revered military decorations. [[Page E759]] Although her injuries forever changed the course of her life, they never diminished her spirit. Instead, they strengthened her resolve to continue serving others. Larisa often reflects that her military service taught her to appreciate life's simplest blessings and to never be ashamed of the scars she carries, because they are lasting reminders that she was stronger than the adversity she faced. Those words speak not only to her own journey but also to the resilience demonstrated by so many of our wounded warriors. Following her military service, Specialist Dickerson continued her commitment to public service by pursuing higher education, earning an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Today, she serves the citizens of Hillsborough County as a Senior Accounting Manager with the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office, where she continues to exemplify integrity, professionalism, and dedication to her community. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Larisa's greatest pride is her family. She is the devoted mother of two sons, David Jr. and Daniel, and has instilled in them the same values of courage, perseverance, and love of country that guided her own life. Mr. Speaker, the Purple Heart is far more than a medal, it is a solemn symbol of sacrifice, valor, and unwavering devotion to duty. Specialist Larisa Dickerson's service reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy every day have been secured by brave Americans willing to place themselves in harm's way for a cause greater than themselves. It is my distinct privilege to recognize Specialist Larisa Dickerson (Ret.) for her extraordinary service, her historic contributions to our Armed Forces, and her continued dedication to her community. On behalf of a grateful Nation, I thank her for her sacrifice, honor her remarkable legacy, and offer my deepest gratitude for all she has done--and continues to do--in service to others. ____________________