“Laugh harder than you should, it feels good,” he wrote in a letter postmarked Nov. 17. “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.”

Cpl. Zachary Kolda was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve’s 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Houston. He was helping protect Iraq’s largest hydroelectric dam when he was killed in December of 2004.

Kolda is survived by his wife, Arlene, his parents, Patrick and Paula Kolda, grandfather Frank Kolda, and his grandmother Martha Kolda.

We will forever be grateful for his sacrifice. Please feel encouraged to leave a note on Zak's behalf.