“Serving those who served and sacrificed for America”
Are you or a loved one a Veteran who needs support but doesn’t know where to start? Your first stop might be to visit the Lexington County Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The main page lists clear descriptions of the VA’s Mission, Vision, and Values, and you can trust that they are not empty rhetoric.
The director, Edward “Ed” Lundeen, is a retired Army Master Sergeant, and his stated passion is, “What motivates me is my inner drive of energy to help Veterans and their families obtain the VA benefits they are entitled to.”
His passion, dedication, and drive have not gone unnoticed. In May 2023, Lundeen was named South Carolina Veterans Affairs Officer of the Year by the South Carolina Association of County Veterans Affairs Officers. A highly decorated former Army Master Sergeant, Lundeen was a recipient of The Bronze Star, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and served in a variety of non-commissioned Officer leadership roles.
Mr. Lundeen’s education, skills, experience, and awards are just a fraction of what qualifies him both as a leader and an advocate for military veterans. He says, “This comes with an internal strength and passion to get it right for everyone we are privileged to serve. I come to work daily with this passion and drive, and I am wholeheartedly proud of the services my team and I provide to the Veterans of Lexington County. We ask ourselves, ‘What are veterans searching for? What do they need?’ That’s what we want to provide for them.”
Veterans Service Organizations aid and serve veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors. Lundeen and his team can assist in collecting the required evidence to submit a fully developed claim on a Veteran’s behalf and correspond with Veterans Affairs about the claim. VSOs also provide their representation on VA claims free of charge.
A lifelong resident of Lexington County, Mr. Lundeen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and a Master of Science degree in Management and Leadership. He and his wife Linda Manchester Lundeen have been married for 42 years. They have three adult children and three grandchildren, with a granddaughter due in December.
Lundeen loves history, traveling to foreign countries, reading, genealogy research, spending time with his grandchildren, college football, helping others, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Lundeen says, “I am just a thankful American. I can’t believe the good Lord picked me to do this because I wouldn’t have picked me. I want to stay humble. I’m just one person, and my team of co-workers are some of the best with whom I’ve worked.” Lundeen plans to continue serving Veterans and their families until retirement. Post-retirement, he would love to continue visiting foreign countries and learning about their culture and traditions. He wants to spend more time with his grandchildren and enjoy their activities. And not surprisingly, he says, “I want to volunteer in many aspects to give back to the community.”