In 'Beyond Duty,' Fort Hood Soldier Writes Of Combat Stress

By Dan Bewley, The News On 6

A new book co-authored by a Tulsa native along with a former Fort Hood soldier talks about dealing with stress in combat. The topic enters the spotlight with Thursday's shooting.

Friday, the author was in Tulsa for a book signing at Steve's Sundry bookstore. He says he is worried about the effects the mass shooting will have on soldiers returning from war. 

Shannon Meehan was treated at Fort Hood after being injured in combat. It's important to note he never met Nidal Hasan, but he's concerned the shooting has breached the trust between doctor and patient.

Shannon Meehan tells his story in 'Beyond Duty.'

The Philadelphia native was leading a tank platoon in a town northeast of Baghdad in the summer of 2007. While in command, he ordered the attack of a home believed to be a factory for IEDs.

"They hit the target and destroyed it," said Captain Shannon Meehan.

The home was being used by terrorists but inside was a family of eight: a mother, father and six children.

When he learned they had all been killed, Meehan says he was overcome with grief.

"At the time it hit us all. I remember being in the tank, and it really shook us all - my entire platoon and the company - when we realized what happened," Meehan said.

Meehan was eventually injured in Iraq and sent to Fort Hood for physical and mental rehabilitation. It was there he decided to write a book about dealing with the stress of combat.

When news broke of Thursday's shooting and word that an army psychiatrist was the trigger man, Meehan says he couldn't believe it.

His psychiatrist and Major Hasan worked together, and Hasan even had a copy of his book. Meehan has since learned that Hasan rejected a chance to have the book signed, and Meehan believes he's violated the trust of all of the Army's mental health professionals.

"It's tragic, and it's a real step backwards for all the great work the army is doing in trying to help soldiers heal as they return home from this war," said Captain Shannon Meehan, soldier and author of ‘Beyond Duty.'

Meehan is still recovering but says he's proof that life goes on, and the wounds will eventually heal. Meehan signed copies of his book until 7 p.m. Friday at Steve's Sundry. ‘Beyond Duty' is for sale there and at other major retailers.