Military Times deputy editor Leo Shane will receive an award from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America for his excellence in reporting on veterans issues from Capitol Hill, the group announced.
The group giving the award, commonly abbreviated as IAVA, is a nonprofit supporting the nation-wide communities of veterans that arose from America’s post-9/11 wars.
Shane is the deputy editor for Military Times, where he spearheads the news outlet’s congressional coverage. He was formerly a veterans reporter for Stars & Stripes, and has worked in Washington since 2004, covering Capitol Hill and the White House.
Prior to his move to national news, Shane reported on state and local politics for newspapers in Ohio, Illinois and Philadelphia. He is a 1998 graduate of the University of Delaware.
The award ceremony will be held June 6 at the second annual IAVA Salutes event in Washington.
At the ceremony, IAVA will honor Shane with the Award for Leadership in Journalism.
"This is a historic event,” Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO of IAVA, said in a statement.
Rieckhoff said he was honored to recognize Leo Shane, who he characterized as “one of the most dedicated and effective reporters covering veterans issues.”
“Leo's reporting has changed the course of history for veterans, holding leaders in Washington accountable to our nation's veterans and ensuring veterans stories are told," Rieckhoff added.
Shane’s reporting this year includes a story on Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin’s troubles on Capitol Hill, a report on opposition to privatizing the VA, and coverage of a court ruling that could extend disability benefits to thousands of injured veterans.
The ceremony will also honor Afghanistan War veteran, and U.S. Representative from the state of Florida, Brian Mast. The congressman will receive the Award for Leadership in Government for his work “ensuring veterans remain a priority on Capitol Hill,” according to an IAVA press statement.
“Congressman Brian Mast is a combat-wounded Afghanistan veteran who has consistently put country over self,” Rieckhoff said. “Congressman Mast is a leader on critical veterans issues in Washington, including sponsoring IAVA supported legislation on toxic exposures and cosponsoring IAVA-led legislation on women veterans.”