American hero praised in Poland

[montrala]

Great post, sadly our media doesn't cover such events.

Every Polish main stream media covered that. Left ones, right ones, even tabloids.

According to accounts published in media, ssgt Ollis joined 2nd lt Cierpica when Pole was already wounded in leg but still fighting. They fighed together and then they joined group of Special Forces soldiers (probably Polish) who already killed 8 Taliban attackers / suicide bombers. When from behind some containers emerged Talib who throw a grenade, group directed their fire toward him. Then suicide bomber showed up behind group. ssgt Ollis noticed new threat and grave danger to wounded Polish officer who was firing other way. ssgt Ollis moved to shield Pole from the blast and died when suicide bomber blow up his charge. 2nd lt Cierpica got some additional wounds but he was able to stay in fight.

[montrala]

This story did not end and memory of ssgt Ollis will pass to next generation:

http://www.armytimes.com/story/milit...pica/22794087/

[Dienekes]

Kosciuszko's Advice to a Youth

To do honor to your family and yourself and at my recommendation, you must reread what follows every day so that it will be engraved on your memory on which your well being will depend.

Rise at four in the summer and six in the winter. Your first thoughts must be directed towards the Supreme Being; worship Him for a few minutes. Set yourself to work with reflection and intelligence, either at your prescribed duty carried out in the most scrupulous manner, or perfect yourself in some science in which you should have true mastery. Avoid lying under any circumstances in your life, but always be frank and loyal and always tell the truth. Never be idle but be sober and frugal even hard on yourself while indulgent to others. Do not be vain nor an egotist. Before speaking or answering on something, reflect and consider well in order not to lose your point and say something stupid. Never fail to give due recognition under any circumstances to the person who is in charge of your well being. Anticipate his desires and his wishes. Pay close attention with proper humility. Look for an opportunity to be useful. As you are a foreigner in the country, redouble your concern and efforts to gain trust and preference over the natives legitimately by your merit and superior knowledge. If a secret is entrusted in you, keep it religiously; in all your actions you must be upright, sincere and open; no dissimulation in your speech, do not argue but seek the truth calmly and with modesty, be polite and considerate to everyone, agreeable and obliging in society, humane and helpful to the unfortunate according to your means. Read instructive books to embellish your mind and improve your spirit. Do not degrade yourself by making bad acquaintances, but rather those with high principles and reputation thus your conduct should be such that the whole world approves it and that wherever you may be it will be considered irreproachable.

T Kosciuszko

[SeriousStudent]

This story did not end and memory of ssgt Ollis will pass to next generation:

http://www.armytimes.com/story/milit...pica/22794087/

Now that is a tribute. I know it must have brought a happy tear to the eyes of SSG Ollis's family. It's like they have a new godson to watch over in Poland. I do hope the families stay in touch.

What a fine thing to do.

[jpmuscle]

Amazing stuff. Thank you for sharing

[montrala]

Here we see it as kind on normal thing. Young Michael (Michał in Polish) would not have a chance to come to this world if not for SSG Michael Ollis sacrifice, when fighting for better future for all our kids. We Poles are "warrior tribe", we understand those things.

[SeriousStudent]

Here we see it as kind on normal thing. Young Michael (Michał in Polish) would not have a chance to come to this world if not for SSG Michael Ollis sacrifice, when fighting for better future for all our kids. We Poles are "warrior tribe", we understand those things.

All the more reason to celebrate it, so it remains a normal thing.

Thanks again for the update, it made me smile.

[montrala]

Closest thing to immortality human being can reach is to live on in hearts and minds of next generation. That is why we cherish memories of our heroes, those who get their victories and even more those who had fallen trying, so much here. SSG Michael Ollis become one of those immortal heroes who will live in hearts and minds here. Not in one family kids will hear his story.

And mental picture of him fighting literally back-to-back with 2LT Karol Cierpica is symbolic of long history of our nations to fight together. Things that politicians in pursue of short term goals and real-politk seem so easy to forget. Our nation is small, but we always were fighting for "freedom yours and ours". I'm afraid that in future our nations will again have to fight for it.