Corporal Nicholas Lee Ziolkowski, "Ski," was a fun loving man with a gift for bringing smiles and happy times to everyone around him.In Charlie Co he distinguished himself as an outstanding Marine and likely had a bright leadership future with Charlie before volunteering for Snipers where he showed the same--unwaivering dedication and commitment that earned him professional respect and friendship from all who worked with him. A true professional, from training throughout combat, he effectively did what needed to be done when duty called while using his down time to pass small deeds of good on to every person he could; keeping our job as human as possible. In high school he trained to one day join the SEALs (we all know where he eventually went) but while leading his team in Fallujah, he achieved his goal of working side by side with a team, earning an expression of condolences from them after his passing.Ski made every effort to keep a positive outlook and constantly worked to hone his ability to find the best in everyoneNot one person who knew him did not like himA common reply from nearly everyone when recalling him is that he was one of the most moral and upstanding persons they knew, and they agree that his consistent priority to try never to judge anyone was readily apparent with every person he came across.Ski took time to enjoy what life had to offer in every way he could find that was within his beliefs. And he stayed true to those beliefs. Particularly when it came to respecting women. Enjoying life often included time with his family, friends, training, or his passion of surfing. He valued every friend, and expressed great love for his parents, for Peter, and their families. Ski wanted very much for his little brother and sister, Alex and Julia, as well as Madeline, to get to know him as they grew up. Maybe they still can to some extent through us.At school, I remember Ski taking a break from writing patrol orders to go surfing. Sometimes he would give us a song to get stuck in our head.He defined himself from within with his actions and interactions. We may not all get the same gifts in life, but he did lead a full life as a wholesome person.Corporal Nicholas Lee Ziolkowski was a man who was young at heart, and mature far beyond his years.