• Polish School renames military programs after American Hero: Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis

    March 20, 2022 Author: Dave
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    03.18.2022

    Story by Pfc. Javen Owens 

    Republished from: 113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment  

    BYDGOSZCZ, Poland –The Garrison Church of the Military Parish of Our Lady of Peace held a Naming Ceremony and Solemn Holy Mass for the Uniformed Classes and the blessing of the Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis Junior Training Corps Colors, March 18, 2022. This event showcased the kinship between U.S. and Polish Soldiers, honoring the heroism of the late Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis.

    Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis from Staten Island, New York was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light) out of Fort Drum, New York. While deployed in 2013 to Ghazni, Afghanistan, insurgents attacked his compound with vehicle-borne explosive devices, suicide vests, indirect fire and small arms.

    After accounting for his troops, Staff Sgt. Ollis checked for any casualties in a building hit during the attack and then moved toward the enemy fighters who entered the base. He managed to locate a fellow coalition Soldier, Polish Army officer, Lt. (ret.) Karol Cierpica and together they moved toward the enemy without their armor, armed only with their rifles. The two stood together to combat the insurgents who breached their defenses, all while under continuous enemy fire.

    During the fighting, an insurgent with a suicide bomb vest rounded a corner and charged them. Staff Sgt. Ollis, without body armor, put himself between the insurgent and Cierpica, who was wounded in both legs and unable to walk. Staff Sgt. Ollis fired on the insurgent and incapacitated him, but as he approached him, the insurgent’s suicide vest detonated, mortally wounding Staff Sgt. Ollis.

    “He died for a great cause: freedom,” Col. Geoffrey A. Norman, the 1st Infantry Division’s Deputy Commanding Officer for Support said. “He followed in the footsteps of millions of Soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their country and spread freedom and democracy throughout the world. Because of his sacrifice, there are fewer terrorists to threaten our countries. He died a hero, and will live on forever in the hearts of our Allies.”

    The Senior Academic High School at the College of Health Sciences received the permission of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis’ parents, Bob and Linda Ollis, to name the school’s Uniformed Classes in his honor.

    “It is my firm belief that in naming our Uniformed Classes the ‘Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis Junior Training Corps’ will honor and commemorate his heroic deed among current and future generations.” said Tomasz Krajewski, the Director of Uniformed Classes.

    Mr. Bob Ollis, Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis’s father, expressed how grateful he was for Poland and the Polish community and how they have welcomed him and his family since his sons passing. Lastly, Cierpica spoke about Ollis’ heroism.

    “He showed me the true meaning of service, Michael did,” Cierpica said. “My true hero, is an angel in heaven.”

    Ollis and Cierpica family with the Uniformed Class at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Bydgoszcz, Poland

  • 10 students named to US Military Academies at SSG Ollis VFW Hall

    February 26, 2017 Author: Dave
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    Reposted from SILive:

    Carol Ann Benanti | benanti@siadvance.com By Carol Ann Benanti | benanti@siadvance.com
    on February 24, 2017 at 2:34 PM, updated February 24, 2017 at 2:40 PM

    Congressman Donovan names 10 students to military academies

    STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City students, 10 of them in fact, are indeed proud to have received certificates of honor from Congressman Dan Donovan, nominating them to U.S. military service academies.

    In order to be nominated, each teen was required to undergo a rigorous application process in which a local committee evaluated academic records, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and leadership skills.

    Donovan awarded four nominations to the U.S. Military Academy, four to the U.S. Naval Academy, one to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and one to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

    Congressman Donovan stated: “I’m honored to nominate the brightest students from our district to the U.S. service academies. Each nominee has worked hard and chosen the noble path of serving and defending our great nation. I applaud your patriotism and look forward to seeing your future accomplishments. It’s truly a privilege to help build the next generation of servicemen and women.”

    The ceremony took place on Staten Island at the SSG Michael Ollis VFW.

    The facility is named after hometown hero Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, who stepped in front of a suicide bomber in Afghanistan to save a Polish soldier.

    Donovan has pushed for further recognition of Ollis’ heroism and valor, and he has sent a letter to the Secretary of the Army recommending him for the Congressional Medal of Honor. Ollis’s parents attended the event and addressed the student nominees.

    “Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis embodies the true American spirit. He gave his life for his country and his display of bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice is an example for all of us. The legacy of Staff Sgt. Ollis will live on through your service and dedication to protecting freedom.”

    The nominees must still earn admission to the service academy for which they were nominated. Congressman Donovan’s 2017 Service Academy picks are:

    U.S. Military Academy, Jonathon Carbonella, College of Staten Island, Jonathon Decarlo, Susan Wager High School, Patrick Orlando, Penn State University, Evan Tedesco, Staten Island Tech High School.
    U.S. Naval Academy, Michael Stumpf, Xavier High School, Lauren Casella, Tottenville High School, Najee Jenkins, Coney Island Prep High School and Joshua Maldonado, Xavarian High School
    U.S. Air Force Academy, Caleb Wong, Aviation Career & Technical High School
    U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Matthew Bantis, Poly Prep High School.