Veterans Across America Announces Shannon Meehan as Public Affairs Director

NEW YORK, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Vietnam combat veteran Steve White, Executive Director of Veterans Across America and founder of the Veterans Business Network, announced that Iraq war veteran and author Shannon Meehan would join Veterans Across America as Director of Public Affairs.

Meehan will be responsible for communications operations and media relations while working on outreach for the Champion Mentorship program. Founded in 1996, VAA's mission to end veteran poverty and enhance veteran economic well-being is fulfilled through the Champion Mentorship program, matching business mentors with needy veterans. A champion mentor fulfills the veteran employment mission as a "career agent," sharing his or her network on behalf of unemployed or underemployed veterans, reservists and national guardsmen.

Shannon Meehan is a public speaker and the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Beyond Duty: Life on the Frontlines in Iraq. A graduate of Virginia Military Institute, Meehan began his military career as an officer and platoon leader in the storied First Calvary Division, serving fifteen months in Iraq's dangerous Diyala Province. He was injured in an IED strike, suffering traumatic brain and physical injuries and spent two years completing physical and cognitive rehabilitation, where he also served as the unit's Public Relations Officer. He was officially retired in November, 2009.

He then authored the internationally acclaimed memoir, Beyond Duty, written with Roger Thompson, and has since lectured nationwide on leadership, the power of narrative, challenges and issues facing soldiers and veterans, and the effects of casualties in war.

Now he will focus on enhancing the brand awareness of Veterans Across America. VAA provides a human touch in matching the veteran and the business mentor with transitioning military, veterans and their families, and has a special focus on wounded and disabled veterans. Meehan says: "Given my background, I have seen firsthand that economic hopelessness for the veteran is linked with emotional helplessness. I can truly empathize with fulfilling an economic mission for the needy veterans we are helping here." VAA has become a leader in employment for the impoverished veteran and was awarded the first grant of its kind from the Robin Hood Foundation to use the champion mentor program toward this end.

"As a former combat veteran in Vietnam, I know we need Shannon to help us fight the economic war for a new generation of veterans. His experiences in thought leadership can help his comrades avoid what we faced when returning from the Vietnam war. He fully understands that, while war is hell, the civilian and economic homefront shouldn't be," said Steve White, VAA's Executive Director.

"I am excited to become a key part of this strong team here at Veterans Across America," said Meehan. "I am honored to join and help represent this team to the public and to the veteran community."

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Contact: Bill Schechter, (845) 679-6878
[email protected]
http://www.veteransacrossamerica.org/

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SOURCE Veterans Across America