SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation

Please read the excerpt from TaskAndPurpose.com below and write your Congress person.

A Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that a U.S. service member can receive. And while that honor should be reserved for bravest, most selfless among our troops, sometimes, it seems as though awards process misses in the mark.

The number of people who have earned the Medal of Honor in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars is relatively low. Comparatively, the Vietnam War awarded 258 Medals of Honor, and World War II had 464.

Earlier this year, the Defense Department announced that it would be looking into its evaluation for valor awards. As a result, thousands of service members and veterans previously awarded will be considered for medal upgrades.

In honor of National Medal of Honor Day,  Task & Purpose’s list of service members that could be awarded a Medal of Honor included SSG Michael Ollis.

The list of US Army Medal of Honor recipients that awarded the medal for conduct and valor while serving in Afghanistan can be found here: http://www.history.army.mil/moh/afghanistan.html .

Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis

A car bomb breached FOB Ghazni in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013. After the explosion, al Qaeda fighters launched an assault on the base that involved grenades, mortars, rockets and at least 10 suicide bombers. Fighting beside Polish Lt. Karol Cierpica during the attack, Ollis was killed when he moved to shield Cierpica from a suicide bomber. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Audie Murphy Medallion, as well as the Polish government’s highest military award: the Polish Medal of Honor.

On Wednesday November 4th at 12:00 the SSG Michael Ollis Sculpture and Memorial Plaza was unveiled and dedicated at Michael J Petrides school on Staten Island.  Under crystal clear skies, a gathering of over one thousand people came to pay tribute to Staten Island’s hometown hero.   Speakers included politicians such as  Staten Island’s borough president James Oddo, Michael’s former teachers such as Danielle Cundari, and family members including a touching essay from Michael’s nephew William Loschiavo.

Paver dedications are still available at the site. For more information and the ordering form see this earlier post: http://www.ssgmichaelollisfreedomfoundation.org/michael-ollis-statue-plaza-memorial-pavers-available/

Additional Pictures can be found at the Hanlon website: http://www.hanlonsculpture.com/portfoliogallery/civic-sculptures/staff-sgt-michael-ollis-memorial-plaza/

Michael J Petrides school is located at 715 Ocean Terrace, Staten Island NY, 10301.

Please join Gateway Rotary Club Foundation for a fun and enjoyable day on June 14th.
Helping our Veterans and Staten Island Charities

On Sunday, June 14, 2015 (Flag Day- the day we celebrate our Flag) in Wolfe’s Pond Park  (Hylan Blvd. & Cornelia Ave., S.I. N.Y.)
we will be gathering for a fun filled day with Family, Friends and your Best Four-Legged Little Friend.

Participants will have a choice of selecting a ½ Mile or 1 Mile Course – then have a chance to show off and parade their Best Friend through the park amid laughing and cheering, camera’s flashing and tails wagging – all raising funds for a very good cause.  Dog Contests will follow the walk.

All Dogs will receive an American Flag Bandana, a Gateway Rotary Dog Walk Bib and a Certificate of Achievement stating the distance they have completed.

* Dogs registered by May 31, 2015 will be awarded an official Gateway Rotary 2015 Dog Walk “Dog Tags”.

Sponsorship opportunities for this unique event are still available.

For information or questions, please call:
David Dillon – 718-490-1781
Frank Santora – 718-669-8886

Registration Form can be downloaded here:

 Gateway Rotary Club Foundation Dog Walk Registration Form

Lauren Pecikonis and Melanie Kerwin are leading a fundraising event on 12 April at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburg, NY.  As Communications majors at Mount Saint Mary College, their senior thesis is to carry out a special event to honor Michael. Michael’s cousin,  Alex Russo, attends the school and decided to dedicate their thesis after hearing of Michael’s story.

Soccer was one of Michael’s passions – he even coached youth soccer during his free time. They will host a soccer game in Michael’s honor on April 12, 2015 at the Mount Saint Mary Campus. For those who cannot attend and donate at the event, they team has launched a Go Fund Me page for everyone to contribute: http://www.gofundme.com/o9vrnk  

Finally, even if you cannot donate, please share this link and keep Michael in your memory. Overall, the goal is to spread this story and honor him. Thank you for anything that you can do!

http://www.gofundme.com/o9vrnk

United Staten Island Veterans Organization (USIVO) will donate proceeds towards the design and Completion of SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Memorial from the fundraising event on May 6th.

To All Our Members and Supporting Community, This year the United Staten Island Veterans Organization will be having its 5th annual fundraising event, “An Evening to Honor VI” at Staten Island’s Hilton Garden Inn on Wednesday, May 06th, 2015. This year’s Honoree’s will be Staten Island University Hospital-North & South sites and Marine Corps League Staten Island Detachment #246.  Also the investure of the 2015 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall Joseph DiGiovanni and Parade Chaplain Rev. Roy Cole.

The evening’s proceeds will go towards the design and Completion of the monument in Honor of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis Freedom memorial at Petrides School on Ocean Terrace in June. Past events have helped Afghanistan War Veteran, Army Specialist Bryan Dilberian, Iraq War Veteran Brendan Marrocco, and Staff Sgt. Michael Brown Afghanistan war Veteran. Also Proceeds help other Staten Island Veterans when necessary.

Last year USIVO had over 600 people attending a spectacular event, this year we hope to top that. I hope you can attend this very patriotic event for a great cause. Please contact one of our Committee Members for more details of the event.

For additional information on how to reserve your seat and/or table at this special event, download the form here: USIVO ETH VI PACKAGE, or navigate to the USIVO Facebook page.

Deadline for reservations is by Friday, April 25, 2015. If you have any questions, please call  Jim at 718-987-1609 or 917-670-8742. Thank you for your support!