Army Staff Sgt. Robert L. Hollar Jr.

Died September 1, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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35, of Griffin, Ga.; assigned to the 108th Cavalry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia National Guard, Griffin, Ga.; killed Sept. 1 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations in Baghdad.

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Post Office to be named after fallen Ga. Guardsman

The Senate passed a bill naming a U.S. Post Office in Thomaston after a Georgia National Guardsman and former postal carrier who was killed last year while on patrol in Iraq.

The post office, at 103 E. Thompson St., would be renamed the “Sergeant First Class Robert Lee “Bobby” Hollar Jr. Post Office Building” under the bill.

The House was expected to pass the bill Friday, according to a spokesman for Grantville Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, who sponsored the measure.

Hollar was deployed in May 2005 and killed a few just months later when an improvised explosive struck his vehicle outside Baghdad.

After his death, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

He is survived by his wife, Amanda, and two sons, who live in Thomaston.

During his deployment, Hollar acted as a pen pal to students at Crescent Elementary School in Griffin.

Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson said the dedication was a fitting tribute to Hollar’s sacrifice.

— The Associated Press