Welcome home Molly
Staff reporter
It was overwhelming for Molly Holub and her family when 90 motorcycles and more than 150 people showed up Sunday at the local VFW post.
Tears of appreciation flowed freely by Molly, her family, and supporters as each member of the American Legion Riders and others took turns giving Molly hugs and saying "thank you."
Members of the Legion Riders also are members of Kansas Patriot Guard, the group that attends funerals of fallen soldiers.
The motorcyclists met at 1:15 p.m. at Pizza Hut, Marion, and thundered up Eisenhower and Main Street to Ecker-Fulkerson-Slifer VFW Post #6958.
Don Behrens of McPherson, was captain of the ride.
"We want our veterans to know how much we appreciate them," Behrens said.
A Vietnam veteran, Behrens is among other veterans who do not want this war's veterans to be forgotten or unappreciated and plan heroes' welcomes.
The supporters traveled from various places including Mulvane, Burlington, Leavenworth, Overland Park, Junction City, Abilene, Lawrence, Newton, McPherson, Wichita, Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
"I regret not joining the military," said Michael Augugliaro of Lee's Summit, Mo.
Pam Whiddon of Leavenworth agreed.
"We're here to show respect and support Molly," she said of the young woman she had never met until now.
All agreed they prefer this type of a mission of welcoming home a soldier rather than that as a Patriot Guard of attending funerals.
The road to recovery
The reserved, slender young woman and her family stood in amazement as motorcycle after motorcycle filled the VFW parking lot.
"It was awesome," Molly said.
She had heard about the Kansas Patriot Guard in February but to be able to see them was special.
"It meant the world to me to know these people went out of their way to come see me," she said.
Molly was wounded earlier this month when a roadside bomb was detonated, causing shrapnel to hit her face.
Two surgeries were performed the night of the attack at the field hospital. Molly was flown to a hospital in Germany and then on to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Severe damage to her left eye resulted in the eye being removed. She also suffered fractures in her face under the eye.
In 30 days or so, she will return to Walter Reed where doctors will evaluate her condition.
Several surgeries are in her future as is a fitting for a prosthetic eye.
"I'm not happy to lose an eye," said the 20-year-old Marion native, "but after being at Walter Reed I feel lucky it was something I can adjust to. I met people injured so much worse than me."
The determined young woman wants to return to her unit which is due back to the U.S. in November. She plans to meet them when they return to Colorado.
"I may postpone surgeries until after that," Molly said. "It is really important for me to see them."
So, will she be able to return to combat?
The U.S. Army Specialist served as a military police officer in Iraq and wants to return.
An Army medical board will review her request.
"It won't be a physical test," Molly explained, but more of the Army's willingness to make exceptions for her to return. "There aren't a lot of people who try to stay in after being injured," she said, but she is confident they will allow her to stay.
Molly, a 2004 Marion High School graduate, joined the Army and completed training in the summer of 2004. She has signed on for five years and planned to make it her career.
"I always knew I wanted to be in the Army," she said, "and have loved law enforcement." Besides, it's the only position in the Army where a female is allowed to use combat weaponry.
Molly also credits the Marion County Sheriff's Department and Marion Police Department in influencing her to become a police officer.
The Holub family will remember Sunday afternoon for a long time and appreciate the support.
"I knew I had support from Marion people but it meant the world to me to know others supported me, too," Molly said.
