It is my honor to introduce the Meade County Veteran of the Month for the month of November - Mr. Justin Shellhammer.
Mr. Shellhammer served in the United States Army from 2000 - 2005 as military police. In 2000, Mr. Shellhammer enlisted in the U.S. Army. In July of that year, he served at Fort Campbell, KY, and he had deployed with the 101st to Kosovo, Bosnia, Africa, and Iraq. In the end of 2003, he went to Ft. Richardson, Alaska, and was in charge of 12 soldiers for field and law enforcement training. Mr. Shellhammer was then sent to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2005.
On April 5, 2005, while out on a patrol, Justin spotted an IED round on the right side of the dirt sidewalk and realized that the soldiers behind him were walking toward it. He put out his arm to stop them and when he did, one of the soldiers bumped his arm and another one bumped his shoulder, he lost his balance. When he attempted to regain his balance, he stepped on an active land mine with his left foot. The impact shot him forward and he landed on his chest on another land mine. Fortunately this one did not detonate. His soldiers reacted immediately and applied a tourniquet. Justin put his arm around one soldier and actually hopped back to his vehicle and called in the incident himself.
From a hospital in Afghanistan, Justin was flown to Landstul, Germany, and from there, Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. A month after he lost his leg, he received his first prosthetic limb. Remarkably, a month and a week after he lost his leg, he ran 2 miles for the first time. The following September of 2005, he ran in a 4-1/2K race to benefit the families of firefighters and policemen from 9/11. Mr. Shellhammer attributes assistance from the Wounded Warrior Project with helping him regain his sense of humor and determined spirit.
Justin continued to selflessly serve others. Justin was the first amputee to complete the South Dakota Law Enforcement academy, where he received the inspiration award. He is currently serving his fellow veterans as a Police officer at Fort Meade, Veterans Hospital (VA).
He was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat service medal, Commendation medal (3rd award), Achievement medal, good conduct medal, national defense medal, non commissioned officer professional development ribbon, overseas service ribbon, UN medal, NATO medal, air assault badge, driver & mechanic badge, global war on terrorism expeditionary medal and lastly the global war on terrorism service medal.
We, the Meade County Commission, and the citizens of Meade County would like to recognize you for your service and give a heartfelt thanks for your service to our great country.
