When , Adam Jackson , suffered a debris scar to his side in shootout in , Afghanistan , in 2008, he thought he would get a Purple Heart for his devotion for his state. But that didn’t occur, until Monday.
But as time passed Jackson, 41 and a , Wallingford , citizen, lost hope as sheet work was lost, operational concerns were raised and he dealt with the condition of his family.
” I stopped pursuing it”, he said, following a meeting at the , State Armory , in , Hartford, where he was awarded the prize by US Sen.  , Richard Blumenthal.
Jackson, already a master commander for the 439th Contingency Answer Flight at Westover Air Reserve Base,  , Massachusetts. Jackson has served in both the , U. S. Army National Guard , and already in the , U. S.  , Air Force Reserve. His job includes positions in various positions in aviation maintenance and management positions as well as operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
According to Blumenthal, Jackson suffered his wounds on , June 4, 2008 , when he was part of a three car wagon that was attacked with little arms and rocket-propelled grenades from eight different place over a 45 minute interval.
” That’s no fun”, Blumenthal said at the meeting that was also attended by about a dozen of Jackson’s fellow troops Monday.
Blumenthal, a senior and ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and a part of the , Senate Armed Services Committee, acknowledged at the demonstration that the , Department of Defense , did not give Jackson his expected reward for his service.
” The military just didn’t getting around to it”, said Blumenthal, who acknowledged that he stepped in to right a wrong. ” We are aware that our defense occasionally drops the ball.”
Jackson stated in brief remarks at the garrison that his physical injuries had long ago arose, but that he was still concerned for his colleague veterans about unknown injuries like PTSD and fire pit injuries, and that he was grateful for the support of the senator and various service-members.
Retired major , Daniel M. Eddinger, chief of territory 1 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart business, welcomed Jackson to a team he said no one volunteers to visit.
” It’s not for honor. It’s for a grateful appreciation of what you did for your country”, Eddinger said.
After the ceremony, Jackson, whose spouse is a local TV meteorologist who recently reached out to Blumenthal about the issue, was asked what guidance he would offer to anyone in his situation.
” Reach out to your local senator right away”, Jackson said.
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