Greg Protsko, Commander for the Mountain Laurel Post 8612 for the past 3 years. Greg is originally from Garden City Park, Long Island. As a kid, he moved to Maybrook New York, and attended Valley Central High School. When Greg turned 18 he joined the US Navy. He went to basic training in Orlando Florida and then on to Radio School in San Diego. He was stationed aboard the USS Hunley As-31 and tended to both Polaris and Poseidon Missile submarines in Guam. Greg left Guam with his ship, on route to a short overhaul in Charleston S.C. on the way there they had stopped in Hawaii, went through the Panama Canal, and became a shellback. After completing the overhaul the ship went to Cuba for refresher training and then on to its destination in Holy Lock Scotland where they relieved their sister ship the USS Holland. Greg left the Navy in 1983 and went into the reserves where he stayed until 1989. In 1990 Greg joined the Army National Guard while serving as a police officer in the City of Middletown. He retired from the Police Department in 2000 and worked as a bus driver for the Delaware Valley School District. Greg and his unit were one of the 1st units to deploy to the twin towers on that fatal day. He remained there for 3 months and was deployed twice to Germany. Greg went back on active

duty in 2002 where he served as a Unit Supply Sergeant for the 101 Cavalry. In 2003 he was the 2nd wave to deploy into Iraq where he spent 18 months. Greg was promoted to the Rank of Sergeant 1st Class. A rank he held until his retirement. Greg retired in 2011 as Battalion Supply Sergeant for the 258th Field Artillery.

Greg is Married to Christine Zidek. They have 5 children Elizabeth, Matthew, Joseph, Tomas, and Emilie.