Candidate Shawn Harris Cookout and Meet and Greet

All Citizens of Chattooga and surrounding counties are invited to a cookout to meet Brigadier General Shawn Harris, US Army (Ret). General Harris is a candidate for US Congress District 14 representing counties in NW Georgia. This House seat is currently held by Marjorie Taylor Greene.

 

The meet and greet event will be on Tuesday, September 24 from 5:30 to 8:00pm at the Agriculture Center at 33 Middle School Road on Highway 100, Summerville. Shawn says, “This election is not about Team Red or Team Blue. It is about Team Georgia, and specifically ensuring a prosperous future for NW Georgians.”

 

Growing up on the family farm in Early County in SE Georgia, Shawn learned the value of hard work and self-reliance at an early age. After high school, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. Next, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee University majoring in Agribusiness Education.

 

While Shawn’s wife, Karla, was enrolled in medical school at Michigan State University, Shawn taught middle school students in the public school system and was later employed as principal for several years. Shawn also served in the Michigan National Guard and completed his Masters Degree in Education Leadership at Grand Valley State University.

 

After the September 11, 2001, attacks on US soil, Shawn enlisted in the US Army and was assigned extensive combat missions as an infantry commander in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban. Afterwards, he was constantly deployed to hot spots across the Middle East and Africa.

 

Shawn served as a military key advisor in Liberia during the Ebola Crisis and as Army Chief of Staff to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Kosovo. Shawn’s last mission was serving as Defense Attaché at the US Embassy in Jerusalem. Shawn remembers being on assignment in Tel Aviv on May 11, 2021, as hostilities between Israel and Hamasresulted in multiple air strikes on the city. He and Karla, a doctor, were caught up in the action by rendering medical assistance and humanitarian aid to victims.

 

Shawn earned a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. During his 40 plus years of service, Shawn’s expertise and guidance were often sought by high-ranking government officials who develop and carry out America’s foreign policy. He has been recognized with numerous honors and medals for leadership and valor.

 

After retiring, Shawn’s love of farming drew their family, including five sons, back to Georgia. Together, they have established a beef cattle family farm near Rockmart. While Shawn works to grow a prime herd of Red Angus, Karla has followed her love of healing and is a family physician.

 

Everyone is encouraged to drop by, talk to Shawn, and learn about his priorities to bring in high paying jobs, increase access to quality healthcare, improve the VA System, pass the Farm Bill, and work cooperatively to find solutions to combat the housing crisis and costs of living issues.

 

A meal of hot dogs and all the trimmings with a variety of desserts will be served from 5:30 to 8:00pm. The area wide event is sponsored by local friends of Shawn Harris.