A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE EDWARD "ED" LUNDEEN, LEXINGTON COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER, ON RECEIVING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICERS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that on March 21, 2023, Lexington County Veterans Service Officer Edward "Ed" Lundeen received the 2023 South Carolina Veterans Affairs Officer of the Year award from the South Carolina Association of County Veterans Affairs Officers. The award recognizes a county veterans affairs officer who has made outstanding contributions to South Carolina veterans and to the veterans advocate profession while demonstrating exceptional service to the community and contributing to the betterment of the South Carolina Association of County Veterans Affairs Officers; and

Whereas, this lifelong resident of Lexington County graduated from the University of Maryland (University College) with a bachelor's degree in history, followed by a bachelor's degree in business administration from Grantham University and a master's degree in management and leadership from Webster University; and

Whereas, Ed served on active duty in the United States Army (1984-2005) and retired with the rank of master sergeant. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2004) and served in a variety of non-commissioned officer leadership roles, including battalion motor sergeant in Operation Iraqi Freedom with 1/27 Field Artillery Battalion, V Corps, as well as first sergeant for HHC 2nd Brigade (Spartan), 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He achieved the title of master instructor while assigned as an Army military instructor at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and was named the 130th Engineer Brigade Soldier of the Year (1988). Ed further served three overseas tours of duty in Germany and one overseas tour of duty in South Korea and completed other stateside assignments in Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. He was employed as a VA benefits counselor in the Columbia VA Regional Office prior to his appointment to the Lexington County Veterans Affairs Office in 2011; and

Whereas, under Ed Lundeen's leadership, the Lexington County Veterans Affairs Office has provided valuable and timely services to a county that is home to over twenty-five thousand veterans; and

Whereas, away from the office, Ed Lundeen serves with numerous other organizations. He is a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Army Historical Foundation-the 1814 Society, Association of the U.S. Army, and the Non Commissioned Officers Association. Further, he is a founding sponsor of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, currently serves on the executive board of the Battle of the Bulge Association (South Carolina Chapter), and is a member of the Midlands Veterans Engagement Council; and

Whereas, over the years, Ed Lundeen has received a number of military honors and awards, including the Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, six Army Commendation Medals, eleven Army Achievement Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, six Good Conduct Medals, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Army Superior Unit Award. He also received the highest accolade in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps in 1999, the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe. This prestigious award is for those who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character and displayed outstanding professional competence to the Ordnance Corps; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives is grateful for Ed Lundeen's dedicated service and takes great pleasure in saluting him on receiving the prestigious South Carolina Veterans Affairs Officer of the Year award for 2023. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Edward "Ed" Lundeen, Lexington County veterans service officer, on receiving the 2023 South Carolina Veterans Affairs Officer of the Year award from the South Carolina Association of County Veterans Affairs Officers.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Edward "Ed" Lundeen.

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