[His] smile, the goofiness, the humor hid an incredible work ethic, a good man, and an amazing human…

The story behind the smile.

I remember the day Patel sent me a picture of his college transcripts and said “Don’t judge me, I know I was stupid”. I scrolled through his transcripts and told him he had a 2.67 gpa and had 40 hours. In all honesty it wasn’t that he wasn’t a smart man, he was incredibly smart and sharp. There was just a lot on his plate. He was a Reservist in the United States Marine Corps and a majority of his career was on 29-day ADOS orders (Active Duty Operational Support). Simultaneously, he maintained another full-time job, and worked at his parents restaurant, and gave his Marines and friends all of him. Eleven days later, mine and my husbands best friend killed himself.

There is a lot more to his story than could ever be told on a website… The story of Patel is one for the camp fire, camaraderie and could go on for a life time. He had an endless devotion to being a Marine’s Marine, mentor, and leader in the Marine Corps in his local community of Houston, Texas. If you needed help, he was there. He reminded me so much of an old family friend that was KIA in 2004 who was a Marine in the same local Battalion. Although I am not living out the original plan I had for myself, neither did Kolda or Patel. They both changed the world with their hearts, minds, and dedication to those around them. Their legacy of inclusion, kindness, and servant leadership will live on through our work at The Patel Foundation.

Click on Cpl Zachary “Zak” Kolda to read about his story.