In the last month-and-a-half, Spc. Brandon Olson has been shot-up with shrapnel, flown halfway around the world, undergone more than 20 surgeries and learned to walk on an artificial limb.

He didn't have time to be anxious about any of it.

But the Hazen man's nerves finally got to him Thursday, at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. You'd be nervous to meet the President of the United States, too.

President Bush presented Olson with the Purple Heart and a commemorative presidential coin and took some pictures with the 21-year-old soldier. Olson was injured Nov. 1 in an ambush in Mosul, Iraq. His right leg had to be amputated below the knee.

Olson's mom, Deb, said her son was a little nervous about meeting the president.

"He was so excited," Deb Olson said. "I don't know when we'll get to see the pictures."

That might be soon. Olson is expected to fly home Monday for a 15-day visit. An open house in his honor is being held at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Hazen Golf Course.

Gov. John Hoeven helped arrange the visit between Olson and Bush, who was at the hospital to get his knee checked and to speak with other soldiers and doctors.

"All of North Dakota is so very proud of Brandon, and all of our National Guard, Reserves and active-duty military fighting the war on terrorism," Hoeven said. "We're also thrilled and grateful that President Bush stopped by personally to present Brandon with the Purple Heart. It's a well-deserved honor for him, and an honor for our entire state."

(Reach Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tspilde@ndonline.com.)