Cpl. Zachary A. Kolda

ZAK - We served together when we were young men (23 years old). I remember when were called to duty. We were both excited to finally serve our beloved country. When we arrived to 29 Palms, CA, we shared the same barracks room as Corporals. I remember how your cell phone was broken and you would use mine to make all of your personal phone calls. I never minded because you always kept our refrigerator stocked with cold beer. We developed a great friendship and I will never forget you brother. As I sit here on this eve of Memorial Day 2013 with my 5 month old daughter and my wife I can't help but to think of what might of been. Would our kids have grown up together? Would we have kept in touch? Would you have stayed in Austin? I think so. We had some great laughs together and I was blessed to have had you in my life. You are the reason why this country is what it is today. I have never and will never forget about you brother. Semper Fidelis - Sgt Ochoa

To the family and friends of Cpl. Zachary A. Kolda:
Please accept my remembrance of Zachary on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

To the family and friends of Cpl. Zachary A. Kolda:
Remembering Zachary on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

On this day and with each day that we enjoy our freedom, I would like to give thanks and let you know that I do not take our troops for granted. May you experience God when you feel your loss.

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,660 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna

Just thinking and Remembering! A great kid from a great family. Thanks for what you gave us!

Zach was a great guy. He was the first friend I made at college on the first day of class. We shared notes and sat next to each other in six Political Science classes. As the son of a father and grandfathers who saw more than their fare share, I wish more people were like Zach. I heard about his death on NPR as I was driving back and forth from a graduate class in San Marcos and home in Cuero. I will always remember him every day, not just Memorial Day.

Semper fidelis; quem di diligunt, adolescens moritur.

Kolda was an awesome Marine. Me and him both went to King High School, and served in Iraq together. He was with Heavy Weapons and I was in Charlie Co Weapons Platoon in Corpus Christi. A few years back I had the pleasure of having the same Defensive Driving class with his father. As hard as it sounds that was the day i found out that he passed in Iraq. He will always be in my memory and thoughts. Semper Fi Brother, and I'll see u on the other side. 0331 Machine Gunners For life.

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know Zachary, but I am remembering
his service and sacrifice. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008


The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

To the family of Cpl. Zachary A. Kolda:
Zachary gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends

I'll never forget you brother.

Sempre Fi

Sgt Adkison RET

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Cpl Kolda!

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. GODSPEED AND SEMPER FI.

A PROUD MARINE MOM

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Cpl Kolda and the sacrifice made by everyone who lovs and misses him! May God bless all of you!!
Aunt of a Marine deploying soon

“Paid in Full”
To Honor The Service of Fallen and Injured Marines


Marines through and through, they paid the price
Six thousand miles away, we live the life
For which they paid with their blood, spirits and bodies
We will never forget what they paid in full

We hope and we pray that somehow their loved ones find comfort
In God, in the flag, in the memory of their loved ones’ bravery
They’re gone now but we see them still…proud, strong, willing
Covering each other’s backs… courageous, moving forward

What kind of love did they have for us to be willing
To give it all for the Black, White, Jew, Christian, Muslim?
We don’t comprehend but we honor you now and forever
You are Our Marines…some living…some not
Forever in our hearts we will cherish your lives

Lives too short yet immortal they’ll be
Highest brotherhood of the Few, the Proud
They stand at attention, and we gaze with awe
Some know their names not, but our admiration for them
Flows limitless within us, between us

They sacrificed their limbs or their lives
Freedom still rings, a soft sound across the miles
It tolls slowly; all of creation takes note
Of the lives that were lost for people unknown

Out of sight but not lost; forever among us
The starched blues marching straight
Toward the place where we will meet them
Many years from now…how we loved them…
Well done beloved Brothers and Sisters…You’ve paid it in full
Always Faithful Marines, You Have Paid it in Full

Paying tribute to this Fine Young Marine, Cpl. Zachary A. Kolda, on the 2nd anniversary of the day, he gave his life for our Country and for Freedom. A Multitude of Thanks, for his Courage, Dedication and Service.
Rest In Peace Young Hero, in God's Loving Care and may God's Healing Grace and Comfort continue to be with the Kolda family.
Those who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice, So Many and So Young, shall NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
My brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.

Treasure this Young Hero Lord, In Your garden of rest,
For while here on this earth, he was one of our Best.

Hoping you continue to feel the thoughts of caring and support that surround you each day, as this Country remembers someone very precious to you, who is a Hero to all of us.
I am deeply sorry for your loss.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Kolda family in the loss of Zachary. I did not know Zachary, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. Zachary soon it will be 16 months since you were taken. You are a hero and you will never be forgotten.

I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.

Love and Peace

Tom



To live in the hearts

of those you leave behind

is never to die"

~Robert Orr~

Another Fallen Hero – I understand what you are experiencing and feeling. I know firsthand there are not words of comfort at this time. Just know that you are not alone. My deepest condolences, sympathy and prayers go out to the entire family. May God grant you peace, strength and comfort.



My family and I are thankful for the Service, Courage, Bravery and Determinination to fight for our country, (our freedom) from you, my son and all the others in our armed forces. You all will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace! Thank you.



Once a Marine, Always a Marine!

Yesterday, Today, Forever – Semper Fi - Marines!



Very Proud Marine Mom

(LCpl. Nicholas S. Perez – KIA 9-3-04 – Al Anbar Province, Iraq)