Mayor Cuthbertson, Oakland County Commissioner Matis and several other Rochester citizens are dedicated to supporting the proposal to rename an elementary school in the Rochester Community School District (Michigan) after an Army officer killed in Iraq, First Lieutenant Adam M. Malson. Adam was killed on February 19th, 2005 while saving the life of a female Iraqi. She was on a bus filled with Shia pilgrims who were traveling through Baghdad to celebrate the religious holiday of Ashura. During this time, Baghdad was a center-point of sectarian violence. A group of Iraqi 
insurgents fired RPGs (rocket propelled grenade) into the bus filled with pilgrims. Adam was leading a patrol and upon seeing this attack, left the safety of his armored vehicle and began giving first aid to the Iraqi woman. While doing so, a suicide bomber approached Adam and detonated his vest, killing Adam and his interpreter. The Iraqi woman survived the attack. Adam was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division.
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About Tom and Ann Gendich
This would be a fitting tribute to a fine person who demonstrated the noblest of virtues, giving one’s life for another. It exemplifies part of the American Spirit, fighting for freedom for all.
I was Adam’s 2nd grade teacher at Hamlin Elementary School. Just before he was killed, my class wrote letters of support to his battalion. I enclosed a picture of his 2nd grade class, with his picture circled, saying that he was being remembered. Unfortunately, Adam was killed before he received the letters. He was a great student, kind and respectful of others (no surprise of course, given his sacrifice).
Gary Anderson
Mr. Anderson ,
Thank you for your support. It’s comforting to know that a former teacher would remember a young man like Adam and still voice his opinion in a controversial, divided arena.
I would love to have a copy of that picture.
Regards,
Ben Malson