NewsWest 9
MIDLAND- Joshua Dawson joined the Army right out of High School. He served a one year tour in Korea, after the first Gulf War he went to Iraq to help with stabilizing the border. When Hurricane Katrina hit he was dispatched to help, but all that stopped when Dawson left the service a year and a half ago.
"He's the epitome of an American Hero. He is what America is all about," said his friend Carl Thorp, who met Dawson at the Fairmont Park Church of Christ.
He was automatically put in the Inactive Ready Reserves, when he exited the army, so that if the U.S. Army needed his services they could call him back for active duty. The 32-year-old father of three, got that call and shipped out Sunday.
"He's ready to go over there, and do what he can to help," said friend Christy Roof.
Friends and Family met at Midland International Airport Sunday morning to say good bye. Dawson headed to Fort Jackson, in South Carolina for processing, and then he will go on to Fort Knox in Kentucky for training, then he says he will likely be sent to Iraq.
"It's going to be tough for my wife and kids and me," said Dawson but he believes it must be done. "I am not so much worried about me going over there I am worried about my family and what they are going to have to deal with when I am gone, that's the hard part."
