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Cary man is an Army medic in Afghanistan

By Erin Cunningham
The Cary News

Independence Day now holds special meaning for Mike Molson's family and friends.

The 20-year-old Cary High School graduate is a medic for the U.S. Army now stationed in Afghanistan. Catherine Hilton, Mike's mother, said he has always been fascinated by the military. "GI Joe was THE toy," she said. Molson's father, Mick Molson, was in the service. She said when Mike was young he would spend the day with Mick at forts, just looking around.

This fascination for the military soon became a calling. Mike joined the Army Reserves in 1999 and was required to report for duty one weekend per month.

He attended a 12-week basic training program similar to boot camp the summer before his senior year of high school. "It was really hard, but he didn't complain," she said. "He got a lot of satisfaction out of it."

Hilton visited Mike at the training facility in South Carolina for Family Day. "It was just so grueling for him," she recalled.

When he returned from basic training, it was back to homework and pop quizzes as he finished his last year of high school. "It was a little challenging for him to focus on English when he had just learned to throw a grenade," Hilton said. Mike continued his involvement in the reserves after graduation. Then he attended AIT Training, the technical training for his position as a medic.

After training, Mike wasn't sure what his next step would be. Hilton said he worked part-time at the local YMCA and did some construction before making the decision to go active.

"He had just been doing things normal 19-year-olds do, and then he decided he would go active," Hilton said. Hilton said her son has a lot of wisdom and does not take big decisions lightly. "Any decision he makes involves lots of thought," she said. "He left right after Mother's Day." Hilton said. In was May, 2001, Mike left home, joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Stewart.

Three short months later, the bombings at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon occurred.

"Right after 9-11 there was talk of deployment," Hilton said. "We knew he was going somewhere pretty close to Afghanistan, but until you get your orders, nobody knows."

Hilton said as a mother she was worrying how Mike was handling the tragedy emotionally. "There's a lot they can't say," she said. "The Army trains their people to do the job they need to do."

Hilton said she didn't think he would be deployed because of his age.

"But, they don't really ask for the mother's permission," she said.

"We've been in peacetime for so long. This is a whole new world now."

Hilton described Mike as "a little daredevil," which explains his willingness to be sent to where all the action is. Hilton said he was anxious to go. "He said ÔMom, this is like football, you finally get to go out on the field,'" she recalled.

She said the hardest thing is not hearing from her son regularly, which leads to uncertainty. She has received three letters from Mike. "He never was a big letter writer," she said, describing the letters as upbeat. "He certainly doesn't want us to worry about him. It is a dangerous place over there."

The danger became a reality with the death of several soldiers, including one medic who Mike knew. "That is when it hit home," Hilton said. "This is real."

Mike was close to the action when he first arrived in Afghanistan and found himself in an airport and under fire. He received a combat medical badge, which is given to medical personnel exposed to enemy fire. "He is so proud of what he is doing," his mother said.

In one of his first letters, Mike told his mother about the people of Afghanistan. The passage read, "They don't have a lot, but they are generally happy the military are there." One of the Army's duties is to rebuild airports and roads. While he was working one day, Mike took care of a local man who fell off of his bike. "He had some scrapes and bruises," Hilton said. "From then on they started calling him ÔDoc.'"

Hilton said Mike enjoys serving his country. "He likes helping people," she said. "He has a big heart."

In addition to the letters and the occasional phone call, Hilton gets most of her information about the war through the Internet, the Raleigh News & Observer and National Public Radio.

Mike's letters home to his mom differ from those he sends to his father. "Mine say ÔHi mom, I'm eating well and I take showers.' When he writes to his dad it is a little different.... He says ÔI got this new gun,'" she said.

Hilton frequently sends packages with novelty items like Kool-Aid and Girl Scout cookies. "I said to him, ÔYou know it has been a long time since you asked me for Kool-Aid,'" she said. Hilton also sent him a few disposable cameras. "I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures," she said.

Hilton also sends Mike pictures of the family and news about what is happening at home. "The whole family is proud of him," she said. "And we certainly want him home safe." Mike's instructions on his stay in Afghanistan have changed numerous times, and Hilton said she is still not really sure when he will be home.

"There are a lot of unknowns for him right now," she said. "When he does come back, he doesn't know if he will have to return."