I first met Adam four-and-a-half years ago as a freshman at MSU. He was a person who excelled in all his endeavors. He graduated from MSU in May 2003 with a GPA of 3.97, at the top of his class. Adam went on to be the honor graduate of his Infantry Officer Basic Course and one of few to make it straight through the grueling U.S. Army Ranger School, again, at the top of his class. Days before Adam's death he learned he was selected to try out for the prestigious 75th Ranger Regiment, a dream come true, and well-deserved. As you can see, Adam never accepted anything less than his best, whether it was academics or his dedication to his country.

I will always cherish the many memories of time well-spent with my close friend. I will always remember the road trip to Ohio to visit a friend of mine he didn't even know. Or the time we pushed the van off the middle of the expressway after it suddenly broke down. Or the time Adam told me he had decided to ask his wife, Lindsey, to marry him, and how honored I was when I was asked to be the best man. And now, as I prepare for my own deployment, I remember how proud he was to be serving his country. I will take with me what my friend has taught me so well about loyalty, duty, honor and selfless service.

This past weekend, our country lost a warrior, a leader, a hero. For this, our great nation will be forever in Adam's debt. This past weekend, I lost a teacher, a mentor, a best friend. And this, I will never forget.

James P. Carrier
2004 graduate

The mood at the event, which honors the accomplishments of MSU's Army ROTC, was more somber than in past years after the recent death of 1st Lt. Adam Malson, a 2003 MSU graduate.

Adam Malson's family, including his wife, 1st Lt. Lindsey Malson, 24, whom he met in MSU's ROTC, held back tears as they walked by a line of senior cadets who were awaiting their arrival.

Adam Malson, a Rochester Hills native, was killed Feb. 19 by a suicide bomber while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assisting a wounded Iraqi woman on her way to a mosque, when a blast came from behind him, the Pentagon told the family.

"I am proud to stand before you tonight wearing the uniform of the United States Army," Lt. Col. David Taylor, director of MSU's ROTC program, told the crowd. "And I am proud to say that because of people like Adam and the entire Malson family, that I will continue to serve this country."

Adam Malson, 23, was the 42nd U.S armed forces member with known Michigan ties killed while serving in Iraq, according to The Associated Press. He was expected to return home from Iraq in June.

Funeral services for the soldier were held Sunday and today, and he will be buried in Rochester Hills on Tuesday.

"Although this week, we have been mourning his death, tonight we will celebrate his life," Taylor said. "I could almost guarantee you that if Adam were here tonight, he would say, 'Hooah!' - drive on, have fun, laugh and celebrate how great it is to be an American."

ROTC members paid tribute to Adam Malson throughout the night with displays, including the Fallen Comrades Table. Each item at the table represented soldiers who died in service.

It included a rifle that stood vertically in a bucket of sand, with a helmet on top and combat boots at the bottom.

Cadet Stuart Burnham joined members of the senior class in placing white roses on the table. Burnham said Adam Malson was one of his first mentors at MSU.

"Obviously, we have to honor one of our own," said Burnham, a political science senior. "It kind of brings it home."

Adam Malson served in the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Drum, N.Y. Lindsey Malson also was stationed in Fort Drum as a military police officer.

Adam Malson's father, Ben Malson, said he is concerned about his son's wife and is doing everything he can to help her get through the pain.

"I guess the saddest part about all this is they loved each other so much," he said. "I myself have suffered other sorts of tragedies in my life, but you never can prepare for this - to bury your 23-year-old son."

Adam Malson told The State News before the war began that he always wanted to be in the military.

"Those are the guys who actually get out and get the job done," he said of the infantry in December 2002.

Ben Malson said he originally talked his son out of becoming a soldier when he was in ninth grade.

But his father said he supported his son's chosen path and is proud of his accomplishments.

"He just decided he liked the discipline," he said. "I guess that's when I knew my little boy was a man."

Friday's ball took place on the same day that flags were lowered to half-staff around the state, per an order by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Ben Malson said the community's assistance from friends and neighbors to people the family doesn't even know has been "absolutely amazing."

"The love is unbelievable, and the support is incredible," he said. "We appreciate it, and it helps with the healing process."