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Kevin Thomas Kolm,
New York, U. S. Marines
Submitted by Dana Granice
My name is Dana Granice. Kevin Kolm was one of my best friends. Kevin gave his life up for this country.
Kevin was born on August 28, 1980 to two terrific parents, Jackie and Thomas Kolm. Kevin went to Old Country Rd School, which is where I met him. He then went to Hicksville Middle School, then to Hicksville High School, then to Nassau Community College, then off to Iraq.
Hero Cpl. Kevin T. Kolm, a member of the United States Marine Corps who was killed on April 13 while fighting in Iraq on behalf of his country. At the time of his death, Kevin, 23, was serving in the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. He arrived in Iraq on March 20 as part of the Marine contingent that replaced the Army's 101st Airborne Division in the Fallujah area. Kevin served as a crew chief for an amphibious assault vehicle, a lightly armored troop carrier capable of landing on a beach and then driving on shore. He was killed while part of an effort to rescue a group of Marines pinned down in Fallujah, when his own vehicle came under attack. He died saving the lives of others.
Kevin was the third generation of Kolm men to serve in the Marines. His father, Thomas, served as a corporal in Vietnam and his grandfather, Ralph, served as a corporal in Japan during World War II. A family of heros that risked their lives for this country, and a son who gave up his life for this country.
Through out the years I have known Kevin he has brought joy and laughter to my life. He was by far the funniest person I have ever known. He was a great friend, brother, son, and solider. Kevin has done so much good in his short life that for the rest of us leaves pretty big shoes to fill, that none of us ever will. You can't compete with Kevin, you never could. His crystal blue eyes brought you comfort every time you looked at them. I felted safe and loved every time I was around him. He was always there for me whenever I needed him. I am so lucky, because I have known Kevin for almost 21 years now, and I have some great memories of him. All Kevin ever wanted to do was make people happy, keep the people he loved safe, make everyone proud, and serve his country to the best of his abilities. In his short life he did all of these things. Kevin was happy to go to Iraq, In fact Kevin volunteered to go to Iraq.
Kevin will forever live in my memories and in my heart. No words can express the sadness that overwhelms me. Kevin was my hero. He sacrificed his life to protect the United States of America, to protect the people he loved the most. I miss him everyday. Not a single night has passed that I have not prayed for him and his family. I know Kevin is watching over us, and now not only do we have a hero in our town, but we have an angel as well. Thank you so much.
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