A man who fought in the Korean War had to wait 65 years to get the medals he earned.
U.S. Representative Brian Mast on Thursday presented retired Corporal Harry Dickey with the National Defense, United Nations, Combat Infantry and Korean Service Medals, along with two Bronze Stars.
"Thank you for being that part of our nation's fabric."
Mast, a wounded war veteran who also served in the U.S. Army, says his father served in the Korean War.
"I'm very proud to have you as a brother-in-arms. It's men like you that, when I was coming up, made me want to say 'That's what I want to do. That's what I want to become. That's what I want to do with my life."
Dickey approached Mast at the Congressional office inside the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, that he shares with 3 other lawmakers.
The VA plans to close that office and one at the Orlando VA Medical Center.
Mast has been trying to get the Department of Veterans Affairs to change its minds.
Photo: Getty Images