Ed Stefanak Jr. "The Legend” enlisted in the United States Army in 1998 and served 9 years as an Mortarman (11C). He currently is a Bronze Legacy Life Member at Post 9539 Spartanburg and is employed at National Headquarters as the Eligibility Coordinator.
During his service, he deployed in support of several campaigns to include Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. His military decorations include a Bronze Star for Valor, an Army Commendation Medal (2), a Good Conduct Medal (3), the National Defense Service Medal, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, a NATO Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, and the Expert Infantry Badge.
Ed graduated from Greenville Technical College with a Culinary Arts Degree with a minor in Business Management.
Ed joined VFW Post 1975 in Auburn NY after returning from Bosnia in 2000. He became an active member in 2007 at Wildcat Post 3447 Gaffney, where he served as Post Commander from 2010-2011 and again from 2018-2020. He also served as District 8 Commander from 2018-2020 and State Commander 2022-2023.
Ed’s VFW awards include the Triple Crown All-American Department Commander (2022-2023) Centurion Recruiter (2022-2023) Samuel U. Roach (Outstanding District Commander) Award 2019-2020. He was awarded All-State 2010-2011 and again 2018-2020. 2019-2020 he was Co-Captain of the All-State Post Team. 2019-2020 he was named Captain of the District All-State Team. He is a two-time All-American Post Commander 2010-2011/2019-2020 and an All-American District Commander 2019-2020.
Ed is a Life Member of the VFW. He has 4 children, Madelyn, Lilly, Riley and Brody.