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Later that same evening, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks awarded him and his wife,
Linda, its highest honor: The Medal of Valor, given to families who have lost someone serving in either
Afghanistan or Iraq.
"It's our way of showing respect," said Sandra Lotz, exalted ruler of the Elks Staten Island Lodge 841.
She presented them with the award during a meeting of the borough's Vietnam War Veterans group,
of which Bronze Star holder Robert Ollis is a member.
"It was my honor to give it to them," Ms. Lotz said from the Greenridge lodge following the ceremony.
For the Ollises, the award was another bittersweet recognition of their son's heroic actions.
On Thursday, they received a Silver Star on their son's behalf during a ceremony in Fort Drum, N.Y.,
where, for the first time, they met the members of their son's platoon.
Both called the experience "overwhelming," as they described the array of military personnel -- from
generals to lieutenants and colonels -- who greeted them during the day.
"It made us feel so proud of our son -- just having everybody telling us how great my son was," said
Robert Ollis.
Michael Ollis, 24, died in Afghanistan on Aug. 28 protecting a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber
during an attack on their base that, according to published reports, included "grenades, rockets and a
3,000-pound bomb."
Ollis' parents said soldiers who were present during that attack personally thanked them for their
son's bravery during Thursday's ceremony.
"Hearing them talk about him, it almost makes you feel like you don't know your own son," said
Robert Ollis. "We knew him as Mikey our son but we didn't know about Michael the soldier."
On Nov. 12, the Ollises will attend a ceremony honoring their son at the Polish Consulate in
Manhattan.
Meanwhile, they continue to receive strength from their neighbors, friends and family.
"Again and again, Staten Island hasn't stopped. The support we have gotten has been overwhelming,"
said Robert Ollis.
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