"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Bickford Honored for Military Service

"Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Jr. and Speaker of the Tribal Council Meredith Frailey, District 6-Mayes County, award the Cherokee Warriors Medal to Matt Bickford, while Tribal Council Member Buel
Anglen of District 8 Tulsa/Washington
Counties looks on."

TAHLEQUAH, OK - As part of the monthly tradition of honoring our military service men and women, the Cherokee Nation recently honored Paul Matthew Bickford for his military contribution and service.

“It is important to recognize these individuals for their dedication to the Cherokee Nation, our country and citizens,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “I commend Mr. Bickford for the service that he is providing to us all and congratulate him on all of his military accomplishments.”

Bickford, a 2004 graduate of Oklahoma State University (OSU), is the oldest son of Paul and Pamela Bickford. Last year, he married Bethany Williams.

Upon joining the service, he enrolled in the AFROTC training program at OSU and earned his commission to active duty in 2006 as a Second Lieutenant. He was then selected to attend Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. While awaiting pilot training, Bickford was assigned as administrator to the 97th Air Mobility Wing Operations Group and Operational Support Squadron. He went on to complete the six-week Flight Screening Program two weeks ahead of schedule. During his time there, Bickford managed the migration of over 500 web pages to the new Air Force wide format and discovered and closed a major security hole in a multi-million dollar computer network. Matt was rated as a Drop Zone Control Officer supervising both student air drops and the airmen responsible for retrieving cargo palettes. He will complete T-6 Texan II training in June and will earn his wings next January.

“The Cherokee Nation is pleased to honor our service men and women,” said Smith. “It is a privilege to honor our Cherokee citizens for the commitment and dedication that they provide to our government and to the United States. These men and women sacrifice more than most of us will ever know for our freedoms and safety.”