Commander’s Corner

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Commander’s Corner

Carl Olshefskie 2016-2017COMMANDER’S COLUMN

Carl Olshefskie, Department Commander

Well it has been five days since my election and already I have been to Legion Posts from Bedford Post 113 up to my hometown.

I spent day three at Wormleysburg moving in, selecting the committee chairs and familiarizing myself with the staff and headquarters operation.

I was humbled at the support during the election process, including having the leading national candidates Charlie Schmidt and Denise Rowan present for our Department Convention. Even with family loses faced by some of our Department staff the Convention was successful and attended by a noticeable number of “new to me” ...

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Commander's Corner

About The Commander

Carl Olshefski enlisted in the United States Navy on June 30, 1964, two weeks after graduating from Matawan Regional High School in Matawan, New Jersey.  After a short tour of duty at Patuxant River, Maryland he terminated his shore duty and was transferred to the USS Coral Sea, CVA 43 for two West Pacific Crouises; then honorable separated on February 28, 1968.

Upon release from active duty, Carl joined the American Legion at Post 176, Matawan, New Jersey. When his family life made a move to the Jersey shore he transferred to the “Post on the Coast with the Most,” Post 346, Neptune, New Jersey.  His next family relocation brought him to Renovo, Pennsylvania in 1984 where he joined Remembrance Post 442 and held multiple positions, including Adjutant and Commander.  Presently, he is a member of Potter Post 192, Coudersport, Pennsylvania.

His tenure at Post 442 was with an outstanding mentor, Past 16th District Commander Frank Winkelman.  Frank guided Carl to the District, Section, DEC, State and National Conventions and meeting for many years.  Not being able to totally involve himself while raising a family, he finally ran for District Commander in 2008-2010, being 100% Commander in 2009.  Again, service called and he was District Commander 2012-2014, being 100% in 2014.  The last three years Carl has enjoyed expanding his horizons by mentoring at Keystone Boys State and serving on the National Veterans Health and Rehabilitation Committee.  In 2015 he served the Department as an Assistant Sergeant at Arms and Oratorical Chairman.  Currently he serves as Vice Commander for the Central Section.

Carl is married to Councilwoman Merry Ann (Ziegler) Olshefskie and serves as Mayor of Renovo Borough.  They have two daughters, Patricia (Joseph) Kreitz and Melissa (Mike) Adams and a son Owen (Missy) Olshefskie.  Together, their children have given them seven grandchildren:  Rebekka, Michael, Katie, Jakob, Joshua, Eli and Isabella.  The Olshefskies were blessed with their first great granddaughter Isabella Marie in May of last year.  In addition to Carl, his entire family are proud to be members of the American Legion family.

The Olshefskies also lead an active church life.  Carl & Merry Ann are both Eucharistic Ministers at Saint Joseph’s Parish in Renovo.  Carl is also a member of Council 542 Knights of Columbus.