Dan Blakeley is a former US Army Special Operations Ranger, who served with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. During his years of service, he has deployed six times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Following eight years of service, Dan found himself suppressing his experiences in the military to ‘fit in’ to his new community of friends and coworkers. 

After earning a double Master’s at Appalachian State University, Dan began seeking ways to reconnect with the veteran community. From personal experience and conversations with fellow veterans, Dan knows all too well how difficult it is to find the ‘right’ veteran organization, not to mention finding one that provides purpose to those involved. He knew it wasn’t just coincidence when his friend Beau Simmons approached him about starting a project which would benefit veterans. They had to capitalize on their experiences and create a platform which would tell the stories of each veteran: the good, the bad, and the ugly.