Posted on 12/11/2004 8:46:36 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
Father receives letter Thursday from Kolda, killed by blast Dec. 1
Six days before he was killed in Iraq, Zachary Kolda told his family that he was blessed to be their son, brother and husband and to be fighting for his country.
The 23-year-old Marine corporal from Corpus Christi posted what would be his final message on the family's Web site Thanksgiving Day.
"I have a wonderful, loving family I have the honor to be married to the most beautiful (mind, body, soul) person I've ever known," he wrote. "I have the honor of defending the greatest nation ever created by man. I can still smile and I am graced by God's comfort and protection always."
Kolda was killed Dec. 1 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. According to U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Larry McFall, the official cause of death is listed as injuries resulting from an explosion near the Haditha Dam in Al Anbar Province.
Kolda echoed the feelings of his final Web site message in a letter to his father, Patrick Kolda, when he wrote that he believed he would be spending the rest of his life trying to be as giving and supportive of others as his parents had been of him.
"I truly believe America is what it is because of people like you guys," he wrote. "We are all honored to be putting ourselves on the line to defend your liberties."
During his three months overseas, Kolda communicated with his family and friends at every opportunity.
On Thursday, a letter from Iraq postmarked Nov. 17 reached Patrick Kolda. In his letter, Kolda wrote about the people of Iraq, described the landscape of the country and shared his feelings about being a Marine, his father said.
"He said he was proud to be utilizing his training for the greater good," Patrick Kolda said. "He was always proud to be a Marine and he believed in the mission to help more people gain self-determination."
During Kolda's time in Iraq, telephone calls from him at 4 a.m. weren't surprising to his wife, Arleen Canales Kolda. In fact they were expected.
With her phone on vibrate mode in her shirt pocket to avoid missing a call, Arleen said she'd often be working when the calls came in.
"I knew it was him and I'd tell my co-workers I had something more important to do and walk outside to talk to Zak," Arleen, 22, said. "He'd tell me how proud he was to be a Marine and to be making a difference. Mostly, he just wanted to know what we were doing. He'd tell me he missed me and loved me."
Sometimes, a remote telephone carried by the Marines would catch a tower, said Patrick Kolda, and the troops would pass it around for everyone to call home.
"He did say he was fearful, but he said it matter-of-factly. He used to call his patrols of the river 'cruising the Euphrates,' " Kolda's mother, Paula Kolda, said. "He needed to keep the communication with home. I think he would have returned with an even greater appreciation of life."
Paula recalled how excited her son had been to receive care packages from strangers.
"He thought it was cool to get packages from people he didn't even know, yet (who) cared," Paula said. "He was very tuned into what needed to be done and for whom he was doing it for."
For Patrick Kolda, words from one of his son's letters offer comfort and advice.
"Laugh harder than you should, it feels good," Kolda wrote. "Remember, sometimes a sunset is enough to fix a lousy day. When everything stinks, go for a jog to remind yourself you can still run. Don't ever rush that first swallow of beer (some of us would sell a kidney for that one sip) and, dang it, smile at pretty women because they will smile back I guarantee you that is what we all miss the most."
Contact Fanny S. Chirinos at 886-5759 or chirinosf@caller.com
Marine Cpl. Lance Hobbs (left) and Cpl. Juan A. Medina (background) present angels to Arleen Canales Kolda (right), wife of Marine Cpl. Zachary Kolda, and Cpl. Kolda’s grandparents, Frank and Martha Kolda, during a ceremony before the start of a choral Christmas performance at Del Mar College’s Richardson Auditorium.
Man, that was hard to read.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13
God bless you, Corporal Zachary Kolda. And bless your family in this their time of mourning.
For Corps and Country. Semper Fi!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.