#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Charlie Olsen

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Charlie Olsen. Charlie served during World War II.

Charlie served with the Navy during the Normandy Invasion. While aboard a ship at Omaha Beach an explosion knocked him unconscious, leading to permanent hearing damage, loss of smell, and eventually post-traumatic stress disorder.

Soon after Normandy, Charlie returned to his home in New York City. He married his wife Louise McCue and moved to the more rural Blauvelt, New York where they lived for over 40 years. Charlie worked for the Otis Elevator Company before he retired and moved to the Villages in Lady Lake, Florida with his wife. They have been married for over 68 years and are enjoying their retirement. They have eight children and 48 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Thank you for your service, Charlie!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Graphic By Paola Betancourt: Paola is a Writing & Rhetoric Major at the University of Central Florida. She currently freelances as a graphic designer and copy editor