Every November 11, the United States pauses to observe National Veteran’s Day—a solemn occasion to honor the brave men and women who served in our Armed Forces. But what does this day truly mean to those who wore the uniform?
Retired Major Mattese Lecque understands National Veteran’s Day from the inside. As a retired Major (O-4) with the United States Army Reserves who served from January 1975 until her retirement in 2001, she knows the weight of service, the cost of sacrifice, and the profound bond shared by those who answered their nation’s call.
Through Mattese’s eyes, National Veteran’s Day transforms from a date on the calendar into a sacred recognition of duty, honor, and the countless Americans who placed service above self. Her perspective offers not just gratitude, but genuine understanding of what it means to serve and how we can truly honor that service.
Understanding National Veteran’s Day
National Veteran’s Day originated as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” This change recognized veterans of all wars, not just the “war to end all wars.”
Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died in service, National Veteran’s Day celebrates all who served in the United States military—living and deceased, wartime and peacetime. It’s a day to acknowledge the 19 million living veterans who sacrificed for our freedom and the countless more who came before them.
For Mattese, this distinction matters deeply. National Veteran’s Day honors the living sacrifice—the years spent away from family, the careers interrupted, the risks taken, the transitions navigated, and the continued service many veterans provide long after removing the uniform.
A Veteran’s Journey: Mattese Lecque’s Service
Mattese Lecque joined the US Army Reserves in January 1975, beginning a 26-year journey of military service. She retired in 2001 as a Major in the Medical Services Corps, having served her nation with distinction and dedication.
Her military career coincided with her work as a Physician’s Assistant, where she earned her degree from the College of Allied Health Sciences at MUSC. This dual commitment to healing—both as a healthcare professional and as a military officer—defined her service philosophy. She understood that protecting freedom and healing people were two sides of the same coin.
Mattese also served 24 years with the Federal Department of Justice as an Executive Staff member, demonstrating that military service instills leadership qualities and commitment to justice that extend far beyond active duty. Her transition from military to civilian service proves that the veteran spirit of dedication continues long after retirement.
Today, as a native Charlestonian and graduate of Burke High School, Mattese serves her community through the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, Saint Peter’s AME Church leadership, and educational advocacy. Her life embodies the truth that once you serve, you never stop serving.
What National Veteran’s Day Means to Veterans
For those who served, National Veteran’s Day carries layered meanings that civilians rarely understand.
Recognition and Remembrance
Veterans appreciate when their nation pauses to acknowledge their service. The simple act of recognition matters—it validates that their sacrifices weren’t in vain, that their years of service are remembered, and that their willingness to defend freedom is valued.
Mattese teaches that this recognition extends beyond the individual veteran to honor fallen comrades, remember difficult deployments, and acknowledge the families who sacrificed alongside service members. Every veteran carries memories of brothers and sisters in arms who didn’t make it home. National Veteran’s Day honors them all.
Reflection on Service
For many veterans, National Veteran’s Day provides an opportunity for personal reflection. What did their service mean? How did it shape them? What legacy did they create through their years in uniform?
Mattese’s focus on legacy and transformation resonates deeply with the veteran experience. Military service isn’t just a job—it’s a defining chapter that shapes identity, values, and perspective. National Veteran’s Day invites veterans to reflect on how their service continues influencing their lives and communities.
Connection with Fellow Veterans
Perhaps most powerfully, National Veteran’s Day strengthens the bond between veterans. Across branches, eras, and experiences, veterans share a common understanding of what it means to serve. This day reinforces that sacred connection.
When Mattese attends National Veteran’s Day ceremonies, she reconnects with fellow veterans who understand the unique challenges and rewards of military service. This connection transcends words—it’s the recognition in another veteran’s eyes that says, “I understand. I was there too.”
How to Truly Honor Veterans on National Veteran’s Day
Mattese’s perspective as both veteran and community leader provides valuable insights into meaningful ways to observe National Veteran’s Day.
Go Beyond “Thank You for Your Service”
While appreciation is welcome, genuine honor requires understanding and action. Learn about veterans’ experiences, listen to their stories, and support initiatives that improve veterans’ lives. Thank you becomes meaningful when backed by sustained commitment to veteran wellbeing.
Support Veteran-Focused Organizations
National Veteran’s Day offers an ideal opportunity to donate to or volunteer with organizations serving veterans. Whether supporting wounded warrior programs, veteran homelessness initiatives, mental health services, or job placement programs, your involvement makes tangible difference.
Attend Local Ceremonies
Communities across America host National Veteran’s Day ceremonies, parades, and remembrances. Your presence matters. When veterans see community members attending these events, it reinforces that their service is valued and remembered.
Mattese has participated in numerous National Veteran’s Day events, including North Charleston’s prestigious ceremony at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. These gatherings honor the living connection between veterans and the communities they protected.
Hire and Mentor Veterans
One of the most impactful ways to honor veterans is supporting their transition to civilian life. Veterans bring exceptional leadership skills, discipline, and commitment to any workplace. Hiring veterans honors their service while strengthening your organization.
Mattese’s successful transition from military service to healthcare, Department of Justice leadership, and community service demonstrates the tremendous value veterans bring to civilian roles. Her example shows that military experience creates exceptional civilian leaders.
Educate the Next Generation
Children need to understand why National Veteran’s Day matters. Share veteran stories, explain the sacrifices made for freedom, and help young people appreciate that their liberty came at a cost. Mattese’s work in education through the Burke Foundation for Student Enrichment and Mentoring reflects this commitment to teaching future generations about service and sacrifice.
The Intersection of Faith and Service
For Mattese, faith and service are inseparable. Her book “You Can’t Make Me Doubt Him” explores how unwavering spiritual belief sustained her through challenges and continues guiding her community service.
Many veterans, like Mattese, draw strength from faith during their military service and beyond. National Veteran’s Day acknowledges that spiritual resilience often carries service members through their darkest moments and sustains them in civilian life.
Her active service as Trustee Board Officer and Financial Secretary at Saint Peter’s AME Church in North Charleston demonstrates how faith-based community involvement extends the veteran commitment to service. The same values that drove her military service—duty, honor, commitment—now guide her church leadership and community advocacy.
National Veteran’s Day and Legacy
Mattese’s emphasis on legacy provides a powerful framework for understanding National Veteran’s Day’s deeper significance.
Veterans create legacy through their service—protecting freedoms that enable others to pursue dreams, build families, create businesses, and live without fear. This protective legacy forms the foundation of everything National Veteran’s Day celebrates.
Her teaching that you can overcome obstacles and succeed regardless of circumstances resonates particularly with veterans navigating civilian life transitions. Their military service created legacy; their continued resilience and community contribution multiply that legacy exponentially.
Mattese demonstrates this legacy multiplication daily. Her military service transitioned into healthcare service, which evolved into Department of Justice leadership, which now manifests in community advocacy and educational support. Each phase builds upon the last, creating compounding positive impact.
National Veteran’s Day honors not just past service but the ongoing contributions veterans make to society. When we recognize veterans, we acknowledge both their military sacrifice and their continued commitment to serving communities, families, and causes greater than themselves.
A Call to Year-Round Action
While National Veteran’s Day focuses our attention on November 11, true honor extends throughout the year. Mattese’s life exemplifies this truth—her service didn’t end with military retirement but transformed into different expressions of the same commitment.
Make National Veteran’s Day the catalyst for sustained veteran support. Volunteer monthly with veteran organizations. Advocate consistently for veteran healthcare and benefits. Hire and mentor veterans throughout the year. Support military families in your community. Live the values veterans defended—freedom, justice, service, and commitment to common good.
Conclusion:
National Veteran’s Day, viewed through Mattese Lecque’s experienced eyes, becomes more than a holiday—it transforms into recognition of sacred trust between a nation and those who defend it.
As a retired Major who served 26 years, a healthcare professional who healed others, a Department of Justice executive who pursued justice, and a community leader who continues serving, Mattese embodies the veteran spirit—resilient, purposeful, and committed to lasting positive impact.
This National Veteran’s Day, honor her service and the service of all veterans by committing to meaningful action. Listen to their stories. Support their needs. Advocate for their wellbeing. Live the values they defended.
Veterans gave their time, safety, comfort, and sometimes their lives to protect our freedom. The least we can do is ensure National Veteran’s Day translates into genuine, year-round support for those who served.
Thank you, Major Lecque, and thank you to all veterans. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Your service matters every single day.
