Kosha, Lila & Ari

Legacy is there for the children and partners of veterans, to help them thrive despite their loss.

Kosha shares the poignant story of her husband Nathan, a proud soldier who served our nation with honour.

Nathan was a larger-than-life character, a good bloke who had a great rapport with others, especially the younger enlisted men who looked up to him. He was someone with a real heart for contributing to the world around him.

He began his military career as a crew member on the Army’s Leopard tanks and later transitioned to the Abrams tanks. His dedication and heart for service were evident in everything he did.

After returning from overseas duty in the Solomon Islands, Nathan continued his service in the Army’s 1st Armoured Regiment in Darwin. He later qualified to join the elite SAS, Australia’s special forces, but chose instead to become a firefighter to be closer to his wife Kosha and their young daughter Lila.

Tragically, Nathan’s story took a heart-breaking turn. In 2016, Lila and their son Ari lost their father to suicide when they were just eight (8) and four (4) years old, respectively. Kosha’s account is a brave and moving account of their journey, shedding light on the struggles faced by many families of veterans.

For the longest time, Nathan kept his depression and anxiety under control… but something triggered a really dark cloud in him a year or so before we lost him.

Since connecting with Legacy in 2017, Kosha and her children have received invaluable support during their toughest times. Legacy has provided financial assistance, helping with educational expenses and other needs, and, more importantly, welcomed them into the Legacy family.

All the financial support – for their education needs and so much more – has been incredibly helpful. But Legacy has given so much more to my family than any amount of money could ever provide.

They have attended numerous camps that Kosha says have made a huge difference to her children, allowing them to process their grief and feel proud of their dad.

… my son was sitting on the bus beside another Legacy kid. They were both showing each other photos of their dads who were no longer here. It was one of the saddest, but most powerful moments of my life… with another child who had also lost his veteran father, Ari was able to open up.

Her daughter Lila also shared a life-changing experience at a Legacy camp.

Straight away, the connection with other Legacy kids was great. From day one, we clicked like we’d known each other for ages. Sharing our experiences not only made us feel less alone but also showed us that we’re not all that different. It was like finding an automatic friends’ group.

Kosha’s gratitude to the volunteers and supporters of Legacy is heartfelt and profound.