When two remarkable women connected through their dedication to veterans and community service, something extraordinary happened in North Charleston. The City of North Charleston hosts its annual Veterans Day tribute at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, featuring Tara McClary Reeves as the keynote speaker, while Mattese Lecque serves the community through multiple leadership roles.
These two women—one the daughter of a decorated Vietnam War hero, the other a retired Army Major—represent the finest traditions of service, sacrifice, and commitment to honoring those who served. Their presence in North Charleston creates a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of military service and community dedication.
Tara McClary Reeves: Daughter of a Hero
Tara McClary Reeves grew up on Pawleys Island, SC and graduated from Furman University. She is the wife of Lee, mother to Caroline, Daniel, and Harrison, and daughter of Clebe and Deanna McClary.
Her father was serving as a platoon leader in the First Reconnaissance Battalion during the Vietnam War. On the battalion’s 19th patrol, the unit was attacked by the Viet Cong. Lieutenant McClary was seriously wounded, losing his left arm and left eye, yet he continued to lead his men. Clebe received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for his courage and bravery.
The numerous surgeries and long recovery period that followed could have taken a bitter toll on the McClary family, but they faced Clebe’s rehabilitation with godly character, gratitude, and determination. Growing up as the daughter of a wounded warrior shaped Tara’s understanding of sacrifice, resilience, and the true cost of freedom.
Tara has become a passionate speaker and advocate for veterans, sharing her family’s story to inspire others and honor military service. She served as keynote speaker at the City of North Charleston Veterans Day Tribute at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center in November 2023, touching the hearts of hundreds of veterans and community members.
Mattese Lecque: Servant Leader in North Charleston
Mattese Lecque is a native Charlestonian and a graduate of Burke High School. Her deep roots in the community have shaped her lifelong commitment to service and leadership in North Charleston.
Mattese Lecque is a retired Major 0-4 with the United States Army Reserves and is also retired from the Department of Justice as an Executive Staff member. She holds a degree from the College of Allied Health Sciences as a Physician’s Assistant at MUSC and a Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees. She joined the US Army Reserves in January 1975 and in 2001 retired as a Major in the Medical Services Corps after 24 years of service with the Federal Department of Justice.
Mattese’s commitment to North Charleston extends far beyond her military service. She serves as Commissioner with Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, dedicating herself to improving quality of life for residents throughout the region.
Currently an active member of Saint Peter’s AME Church in North Charleston, she holds the positions of Trustee Board Officer and Financial Secretary of the St. Peter’s Foundation. She is chairperson of the Burke Foundation for Student Enrichment and Mentoring and treasurer of the North Charleston High School PTSA. Her involvement in education demonstrates her commitment to the next generation, understanding that honoring veterans means building a future worthy of their sacrifice.
The City of North Charleston’s Veterans Day Tribute
The City of North Charleston hosts its annual Veterans Day tribute on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 10:00am–12:00pm at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. This event has become one of the most significant Veterans Day celebrations in South Carolina.
The Department of Defense and the Veterans Day National Committee selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2025. North Charleston is the only site in the State of South Carolina and has received this designation for 15 consecutive years. This recognition reflects North Charleston’s unwavering commitment to honoring veterans—a commitment embodied by leaders like Mattese Lecque and speakers like Tara McClary Reeves.
Each year, more than 500 veterans in attendance are honored. All veterans in attendance will be recognized and will receive a custom designed commemorative coin. Mayor Reggie Burgess and City Council join with community members to create an atmosphere of genuine appreciation and respect for those who served.
Two Women, One Mission: Honoring Service
Though their paths to service differ, Tara McClary Reeves and Mattese Lecque share a profound commitment to honoring veterans and serving their community.
Both women understand sacrifice intimately. Tara watched her father endure countless surgeries and rehabilitation with grace and determination. Mattese made her own sacrifices during military service, knowing firsthand the challenges veterans face. This shared understanding creates authenticity in their advocacy—they don’t speak about veterans from a distance but from the heart of the veteran community itself.
Both women ground their service in deep faith. Tara’s family faced her father’s injuries with godly character and gratitude. Mattese serves actively in her church, understanding that faith provides strength for service and sacrifice. Their faith-centered approach reminds the community that honoring veterans includes acknowledging the spiritual strength many service members draw upon during their darkest moments.
Tara and Mattese both recognize that honoring veterans requires more than annual ceremonies. It demands year-round commitment to improving veterans’ lives and serving the communities they protected. Mattese’s work with the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, her church leadership, and her educational advocacy all represent practical ways of honoring veterans through community service.
The Impact on North Charleston
The presence and influence of leaders like Tara McClary Reeves and Mattese Lecque elevates North Charleston’s reputation as a veteran-friendly community.
When community leaders actively honor veterans through service, ceremony, and advocacy, it creates a culture where veterans feel genuinely appreciated. North Charleston’s 15 consecutive years as a Regional Site for Veterans Day didn’t happen by accident—it resulted from sustained commitment by leaders like Mattese.
Young people in North Charleston grow up seeing veterans honored, hearing stories of sacrifice, and witnessing community leaders dedicating themselves to service. This creates a pipeline of future leaders who understand that freedom isn’t free and that honoring those who protect it is a sacred responsibility. Mattese’s work in education particularly impacts young people, teaching them about service, sacrifice, and civic responsibility.
Tara’s keynote addresses and Mattese’s community leadership build bridges between veterans and civilians, military families and the broader community, and past service with present gratitude. These connections strengthen North Charleston’s social fabric and ensure veterans never feel forgotten or isolated.
Lessons from Their Example
Both women demonstrate how one person’s service inspires others. Tara’s father’s courage inspired her advocacy. Mattese’s military service led to decades of community leadership. Each act of service creates ripples that extend far beyond the original action.
True gratitude for veterans’ service translates into tangible support—ceremonies that honor them, programs that serve them, advocacy that improves their lives, and community involvement that ensures they’re never forgotten. Tara keeps her father’s legacy alive through her speaking and writing. Mattese extends her military service through community leadership and veteran advocacy. Both women understand that legacy multiplies when we dedicate ourselves to honoring those who came before and serving those who follow.
Conclusion:
The story of Tara McClary Reeves and Mattese Lecque at the City of North Charleston represents something larger than two individuals—it embodies a community’s commitment to honoring those who served. When the daughter of a war hero shares her family’s story of resilience and a retired Army Major dedicates herself to community service, they create a powerful testimony about what it means to truly honor veterans.
North Charleston’s recognition as a Regional Site for Veterans Day for 15 consecutive years reflects the sustained commitment of leaders like Mattese Lecque and speakers like Tara McClary Reeves. Together, they ensure that veterans feel valued, their sacrifices are remembered, and their service inspires future generations.
As we approach Veterans Day, let their example challenge us: How will we honor those who served? What legacy will we build? How will we serve our communities in ways that reflect the values veterans defended?
