Thank you for nominating a Veteran who honorably served to be considered as a South Carolina Department of Veteran's Affairs (SCDVA) Veteran of the Month. You can find every South Carolina Veteran ever honored by SCDVA for Veteran of the Month in our archives below.
Joe Lysaght is our newest Veteran of the Month!
Joe Lysaght is a decorated United States Air Force, Vietnam Veteran (1964-1965) and retired from the South Carolina State Guard as a Lt. Colonel. He served eight years as the Deputy Director of Veterans Affairs for Charleston County. The third largest claim processing center in the state. He was the founder and CEO of Lysaght and Associates (Financial Planning & Tax Services). He holds an Associate Degree in Business with a minor in Computer Science from Palmer College. He is a recipient of the State of South Carolina highest civilian award, The Order of the Silver Crescent, in recognition of his dedication, commitment and leadership for the benefit of South Carolina and its citizens. He is married to the love of his life, Letha Anne, they have six children, eleven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
Lysaght is a 26-year member of The American Legion. He is a PUPL (Paid up for Life) member of Post 147 James Island, South Carolina. During his 26-year tenure he served at many levels within his Post, Department, and at National Level. From Post Judge Advocate, (10 years), Chairman Post Constitution Committee, (4 years), Chairman Post Finance Committee, (6 years), Post Membership Committee, (7 years), District Commander, (2 years), Department Commander, (2014- 2015), Alternate National Executive Committeeman, (4 years), National Executive Committeeman, (4 years), Security Commission, (2 years), Legislative Commission (2 years), and currently as the National Vice Commander, Southeastern Region (2024-2025).
His additional achievements and community service includes:
AMERICAN LEGION/ STATE/ COMMUNITY SERVICE RECORD as of Feb 2025
1. AL POST 147, 1998- PRESENT (27 yrs.}
2. S.C. State Guard 3rd Brigade, General Staff, Ret Ltc. Col. -2000 -2013
3. ALDSC State Convention, Post 147 Delegate 2001-2012 / 2013 - 2025
4. ALDSC State Convention, Post 147 Delegation Co-Chair -2013 -2021 / 2023 -2024
5. ALDSC Dist. Two (2) Cmdr. - 2013-2015
6. ALDSC Executive Committee - 2013- present
7. 97th AL National Convention, Credential & Rules Committee -2014
8. ALDSC Silver Star Recruiting Certificate -2014
9. ALDSC State Convention, Post 147 Delegation Co-Chair - 2014
10. ALDSC 4th Runner-up in the Nation for recruiting- 2014
11. ALDSC Constitution & Bylaws Committee-2014-2017/ 2018-2021
12. ALDSC Finance Committee -2014 -2017
13. ALDSC appointed Chairmen to Veterans Education, Benefits & Homeless Sub- committee - 2014 - 2017
14. Commanders Honors Foundation - Vice Chairman -2014 - 2018
15. ALDSC State Convention, Post 147 Delegation Co-Chair-2015
16. 97th AL National Convention Appointed to Credentials & Rules Committee - 2015
17. American Legion National Legislation Council, ALDSC Delegate - 2015
18. American Legion Gold Brigade - 2015 & 2016 - Recruited SO new members per year
19. American Legion 52nd National Membership Workshop, Indianapolis, In - 2015
20. ALDSC State Commander -2015 - 2016
21. ALDSC Delegate - Washington Conference, Wash. DC-2015
22. ALDSC Speaker at Veterans Upward Bound Seminar at Trident Tech College - 2015
23. Elected to ANAVICUS Society-Life Membership-2015
24. ALDSC Fall Conference - 2015
25. Life Membership in ANAVICUS Association - 2016
26. ALDSC State Convention, Delegate/PDC - 2016
27. 99th American Legion National Convention - 2016
28. 99th American Legion National Conv. Legislative Committee -2016
29. American Legion Washington Conf, Delegate -2016
30. ALDSC Past Dept Commanders Council - 2016 -present
31. ALDSC Speaker Regional Veterans Day Ceremony - 2016
32. ALDSC US Global Leadership Coalition -Delegate/PDC - 2016
33. 101st American Legion National Convention - 2017
34. AL Post 147 Judge Advocate -2017 -2023
35. ALDSC Liaison to Rep Mark Sanford -2018 -2019
36. Appointed to the Dept. of SC Constitution & Bylaws Committee -2018, 2019
37. Al Post 147 Finance Committee-2018-2022
38. American Legion National Legislative Council -2018 - 2019 / 2020 - 2022
39. American Legion National Security Council -2018 -2019
40. AL Post 147 Veterans Service Officer-2018 - 2023
41. Appointed to The Dept. of SC Standing Convention Committee - 2019
42. Appointed Honorary Member of the Board at the Ralph H Johnson Charleston Fisher House - 2019
43. Appointed to The American Legion National Security Commission - 2019
44. ALDSC Liaison to Rep Joe Cunningham - 2019 - 2020
45. ALDSC State Convention Constitution & Bylaws Committee - 2019
46. ALDSC Distinguish Public Service Award Committee -2019 -2021
47. AL Post 147 Baseball Committee -Advisor -2018 -lndef.
48. The American Legion National Security Commission -2019 -2020, 2020 - 2022
49. ALDSC Liaison to Rep Nancy Mace - 2020 -2021
50. AL Post Constitution & Bylaws Committee -2020 - 2022
51. AlDSC Alt. National Executive Committee -2021-2022
52. AL National VA&VS Representative for RHJ VA Med. Ctr and Coast of SC- lndef.
53. The American legion National Security Commission -2022 - 2023
54. Life Member of The Disabled Veterans of America -2022
55. ALDSC State Convention -Delegation Chairman - 2022
56. The American Legion National Executive Committee - 2022 - 2024
57. Life Member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars - 2022
58. Ntl. Exe. Committee Liaison to the Americanism Commission 2022 -2024
59. Consultant to the American Baseball Committee 2023 -2024
60. American Legion National Vice Commander Southern Region 2024 -2025
61. Escorted Wreaths Across America Convoy from Bangor Maine to Arlington National Cemetery on behalf of The American Legion. 2024
62. Over saw the delivery and placement of 5000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery - 2024
63. Attended and spoke at The Dept. of Texas Annual Convention -2025
64. Attended and spoke at 22 post in 5 day at The Dept. of Florida -2025
65. Attended the Washington Conference on behalf of The American Legion -2025
COMMUNITY SERVICE RECORD AND AWARDS
1. The Sumter Guards of Charleston, Executive Board (6 yrs.) 1985 -present
2. SC Adopt A Guardsman Foundation, Executive Board -1995 - 2008
3. City of N. Charleston Regional Veterans Day Committee - Exe. Board -1995 -2005
4. Salvation Army Tri-Cnty. Advisory Bd., Chairman 6 years -2000 -2015
5. Jefferson Award Nomination - Outstanding community service in South Carolina
6. Softball Players National Umpire of the Year – 2007
7. Chas. Cnty. Veterans Affairs Advisory Council- 2007- 2014
8. Softball Players Association (SPA) Hall of Fame - 2007
9. National Senior Softball Hall of Fame - 2009
10. Softball Players Association Executive Board - 2010 -2015
11. USN SC Palmetto Sea Cadet Program, Advisor- 2010- 2012
12. Commander Honor's, Vice Chairperson - 2010 - 2021
13. Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Ctr. Research Institute Board - 2011 - 2015
14. State of SC Order of the Silver Crescent, Exemplary service to the State - 2012
15. Completion of The American Legion Extension Institute - 2013
16. Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition - 2014
17. AL Post 147 Legionnaire of the Year- 2016
18. Chas. Police Advisory Council - Chairman/Traffic Stop Committee - 2018- 2021
19. Live Oak Cemetery Wreaths Across America Ceremony - 2018 - present
20. Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc member - 2021- present
21. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (Founders of the Wal) - 2022 - present
22. Vietnam Veterans Museum Founding Member - 2022 - present
23. Each year my wife and I purchase and distribute 250 US Flag on Veterans Day - 2022 - Present
Master Sergeant Treacy Dobbins is a published author with dual Masters in Social Services including more than 18 years of real-world application of sociology, Veteran services, behavioral analysis, and counseling. Ten years of proven success/vision bringing innovation and creativity to social services and data research. Dedicated and ethical leader maintaining Top Secret clearance for 21 years. Driven by innovation and creativity, and as an ethical leader maintaining Top Secret clearance.
Treacy was born and raised in Virginia and joined the military at an early age. He completed assignments in South Korea, Ecuador, and Panama. Treacy also deployed in the middle east, in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Treacy has been bestowed the Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Pacific Exceptional Performer Medal, Inspector of the Year, Commendation Medals, an Intelligence Award among other Achievement Medals.
Duty Stations:
- 90th Strategic Missile Wing, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne WY 1992-1996
- 24th Wing, Air Combat Command, Howard Air Force Base, Rep. of Panama 1996-1999
- 17th Training Wing, Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, TX 1999-2001
- 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea 2001-2002
- 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, FL 2002-2005
- 378th Forward Operating Location, Manta Ecuador 2005-2006
- 9th Air Force, A2 Intelligence Directorate, Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, SC 2006-2008
- 324th Intelligence Group, Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, HI 2008-2010
- Pacific Air Forces, Inspector General Division, Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, HI 2010-2013
Toward the end of his military career in 2010, Treacy felt like something was always missing in his life. After Treacy was quickly recruited to Boeing as an Operations Inspector and then Leidos as a Data & Quality Specialist, he decided to follow his calling for social good. While working at recovery centers and shelters, as well as the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, as a Trainer, Outreach Team Coordinator & Lead, Administrator, and Program Manager, Treacy formed social services partnership networks and created transparent and sustainable ways to connect thousands to rapid resolutions such as rehousing, substance treatment, medical care, and employment. Treacy launched Inspire Real Change in 2020, a performance-based model that conducts research and community projects to reduce homeless in South Carolina. As a community influencer who has been selected as Keynote Speaker for various conferences, Treacy continues to lead Inspire Real Change in serving people and reducing homelessness in South Carolina. As the Founder & CEO of Inspire Real Change, Tracey is very involved in the Lexington and Richland Counties coordinating services for clients who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.