NVF President & Founder Shad Meshad Receives Lifesaver Award from The Jewish War Veterans

 

Jewish War Veterans, the nation’s oldest veteran organization, held its California state convention on June 25 at the Sepulveda VA Care Center in Los Angeles. Some 130 Post Commanders and leaders from throughout the state joined with VA officials and corporate supporters to elect officers and to announce a new annual award unlike any other honor previously presented.

Commander Greg Lee introduced the first JEWISH WAR VETERANS LIFESAVER AWARD which was to be received by Shad Meshad “in appreciation of a lifetime of unselfish dedication to soldiers in the field and veterans and their families.”

The presentation was made by a fellow Viet Nam veteran Marc Thurston, who after recovering from combat injuries, has become one of the country’s most respected certified Veteran Service Officers.

Thurston told of returning to the U.S. ill equipped to carry on. He sought help from a trauma center established by Shad and survived and thrived.

To say the least, it was not an ordinary presentation.  Thurston let it all out in telling the crowd “This man saved my life!”

Shad has a wall full of plaques and citations but that moment and the outpouring of respect and love in the room will not be forgotten.