VoteVets Endorses Shannon Meehan

from the inbox:

VoteVets.org PAC, a national veterans organization, has endorsed Shannon Meehan in his race to become State Representative, and named him to the group’s Emerging Leaders program.

“Shannon has demonstrated his leadership abilities on and off the battlefield, and it’s that same grit and determination that will lead him to be a wonderful state representative for the people of Delaware County ,” said Peter Granato, Vice Chairman of VoteVets.org. “ Shannon simply doesn’t rest when it comes to serving his country, and I know the same can and will be said about his continuing public service.”

VoteVets.org’s Emerging Leaders program is centered around those post-9/11 veterans who are just starting out their public service back home by running for lower office.

Born and raised in Delaware County , Shannon attended Upper Darby High School , where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in wrestling. He continued his success in college by lettering in a Division 1 wrestling program and graduating as a Distinguished Military graduate and president of an honor society.

While serving in the military, Meehan led over 700 combat and civil operations while commanding an area spanning 300 square miles and containing over 100,000 people. Meehan initiated an innovative program of council meetings with local leaders that resulted in significant civil and economic growth. He also developed and secured intelligence that led to the capture of more enemy insurgents and corrupt officials than any of his peers combined. He also managed and oversaw the investment of $800,000 to improve infrastructures and was rated his battalion's Top Platoon Leader. Meehan was injured in an IED strike, resulting in his medical retirement and being awarded the Purple Heart.

After his injury, Shannon completed rehabilitation at Fort Hood and wrote the nationally-acclaimed memoir, Beyond Duty (Polity Press), which chronicles firsthand the challenges facing soldiers in today's wars. Beyond Duty has become the fastest-selling book in the press's history, is an international bestseller, and was named Military Writers Society of America's Book of the Month the month of its international release.