Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"To the family of:Phillip G.West
I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief and you have my thoughts and prayers. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need prayer or need someone to talk to, please call or write my pastor: Rev. John Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015.
Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga""

"Thank you Phillip for protecting our country, and giving your life for others. We will remember you as a kind swimming instructor to my son Zachary, and a brave solider who gave his life for the U.S.A"
Jim Rhodes of American Canyon, CA

"I didn't know Phillip, at all. But after last Thursday when our school got to pay our respect to him as the ceromoney passed through our school area, I did. Phillip was a young man, but brave, strong, and a hero. To me, his family, his friends, and to all of our school. We all see him as our hero, and respect and love him, and morn for his passing. He risked his own life, for ours. People he never new at all. He died respectfuly and honnorably, we will never forget him. May God bless him, his family, and friends. May he be happy leading his new life, and may he be very proud. Thank you Phillip, may God bless you forever. Amen."
Anoymous of Missouri

"Even though i dont know u when u passed our school i cryed my eyes out because i couldnt meet u and say thank u but u can see this now because ur spirt has risen and has gone to the great god and have became our gaurdian angle please protect me and ever body els that u can god bless u and our usmc thank u i will never for get even though our flag wont be half staff forever it will be in my mind"
evan wilson of cottivile missouri usa

"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry. I understand in theory only that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take the families pain away but I can't. I am committed to loving ALL people, myself and our environment. I am committed to working on my happiness everyday because so many have died for my freedom to live my life. Thank you is not enough but it is all I have. All my love and respect. ogersteiner@yahoo.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEjz-wAQLSA&feature=PlayList&p=477CB1585D5551F3
A hundred times a day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labors of other men, living and dead, and I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am receiving. - Albert Einstein"
Scott E. Steiner of Worthington, OH USA

"God Bless your Son and your family. I lost my brother Skip (Steven) on March 5, 1968 in Vietnam (Marine)... I think of him often. I was googling my name and found your son.
Thoughts and prayers,
Phil"
Phillip G. West of Florida USA

""forever in our thoughts forever in our hearts" remembering your son."
ron ware of kirkland ,washington

"To the parents of Phillip West.

I work with your cousin up in the Great Northwest. He told me of Phillips Story this morning. I couldn't hold my composure very well. We were both in tears. My Heart goes out to you and your loved ones on this Memorial Day in the year of our Lord 2009.

Semper Fidelis,"
Sgt. Michael A. Garman USMC 1976 to 1985 of Port Orchard, Wa.

"To the parents of Phillip West.

I work with your cousin up in the Great Northwest. He told me of Phillips Story this morning. I couldn't hold my composure very well. We were both in tears. My Heart goes out to you and your loved ones on this Memorial Day of the year of our Lord 2009.

Semper Fidelis,"
Sgt. Michael A. Garman USMC 1976 to 1985 of Port Orchard, Wa.

"November 23, 2008
To the family of Lance Cpl. Phillip G. West:
Phillip gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"I miss you everyday Phillip. You were always so happy and always had a kind word for me. I will forever remember you as the cute freckled face kid who I danced with at the 6th grade graduation dance! This world is a sadder place without you in it. But you died doing what you believe in, and that is so very honorable. I miss you and you are my hero."
Corrie Mixon of Napa, Ca

"I know we wern't BEST friends or anything but, Thank you for always making me smile when i needed it the most. YOur very much missed and not a dy goes by that your not thought of. Love you"
Catlin Moore of Napa, ca

"Hey Phil, I know we never hung out much after SOI, but i ended up going to 2/5 with Luke Prince. Luke and I would always talk about hanging out with you when we got back from Ramadi and i really looked forward to it. Well man i never got to pay my respects to you.What i wanted to say is i heard your story and I will look up to you and think about you for the rest of my life. Your a hero now and forever, I will pray for your family everyday. I really wish we had more than boot camp and SOI but God had other plans. Im extending to go back to Iraq, One of the reasons is because of you and all of our other fallen brothers, I feel like I owe it to you guys.
To Mr.and Mrs. West, I am sorry for the loss of your son, But I'm proud of the way he fought. You are very strong people and i fully support you. My prayers will be with you and your family. -Brice Schlueter"
Brice Schlueter of Okinawa japan/Camp Pendleton

"Though I never met you, we share the same common bond Devil-Dog. My condolences to your family, friends, & Marines who had the pleasure of your acquaintance. We will never forget you or the sacrifice you made. I know that you and my comrades that have fallen prior to this are securing the gates of heaven, an honor only given to Marines. Semper Fi LCpl West."
CPL Marlon R. Castro (USMC 1987-1995) of San Mateo, California

"You and Eric were the best of friends, you were like a little brother to me. I wish I could have gone with you. You are sorely missed, but you'll always be in my heart and mind. I know Eric misses you a lot and so do I. We'll meet again one day."
Joni of American Cyn, CA

"Philip was my swim coach. Boy i miss those days. I remember he used to make me swim extra laps and mess around with me. I miss him alot and he is my hero"

"Phillip was the man, always keeping people laughing with stupid jokes and saying whatever was going through his mind at the time. I remember his stories, and his unique personality. I remember training together before we were both even Marines. I want to say so much here but there is nothing I can say to bring him back. Phillip, thank you for your sacrifice...you didn't deserve it and I would take your place if I could. I miss you bro and we'll kick it again someday. Semper Fi. Once a Marine Always a Marine."
Cpl Matthew Webb of Camp Lejeune, NC

"Phillip West was one of my best friends. I grew up with him from elementary through high school. Then he enlisted in the service, and our contact has been on and off since then. It was during high school that our friendship was closest, mainly because of football and how at the games we'd mess around on the sidelines; we were second-string bench-warmers.

Growin' up, Phil didn’t always feel part of the “cool crowd,” not until high school at least. He told me once that I used to make fun of him in elementary school. I felt bad when I heard this because he told me this when we were at the peak in our friendship. When we would talk on a personal level, he was calm, but he'd still say something crazy. Phil was an opinionated, outspoken, blunt guy, but I commend him for that.

We had several classes together in high school. My memories of him are endless when it comes to some crazy things we did. When I think about it, it's ironic how we turned out: from me bein' a bully to him bein' one of my most favorable friends. Phillip grew on me, and its a shame I didn't really value his being before; I used to be "too cool", but Phillip became one of the best guys I know. A guy totally himself, crazy 'n' wild, but at the same time sincere, and understanding; he'd listen if you had a problem.

Overall, Phillip was a good man, a genuine person, and a good friend. He was always livin' in the moment; a characteristic claimed by many, although, rarely true for few.
Phil was a lifeguard and a soldier. He was a destined hero … right from the beginning."
Alvin Rovira Jr. of American Canyon, CA, USA

"Phillip is my son. I am so very proud of him. I miss him every minute but I take comfort in that he was doing what he wanted to do. He wanted all of us to be safe and to help give freedom to the Iraqi people from that monster Sadam. He was very brave and very proud to be a marine. I love him so much."
Mimie West of American Canyon, CA

"To the West family...I escorted Phillip on the day he was buried. Seeing the picture of him in the bubble bath hurts my heart today, because I have a 2yr old son. I wear Phillip's bracelet to work every day. I won't forget him. I promise"
Gordon Moore of Vallejo Ca

"I have thought about you each day brother. I know you'll continue to be with us Marines as we go out into harm and danger. Ourah! Semper Fi, devil dog!"
PFC Sollars, Matthew of American Canyon, CA

"Lance Corporal Phillip G. West , friend and fellow Marine of my nephew PFC Matthew G. Sollars. SIR it is because of the heroic actions of You and your fellow Marines and all Men and Women of our armed forces that We remain Free. I am sorry I never met you but was at your graduation in 2003 at Vintage High along with you friends and Matthew. I know You and the others at Vintage who are so brave and joined the Marines have made the community of AmericanCanyon and the Napa area so proud. Your fellow schoolmates/Marines have expressed a desire to trade places with you . ONLY heroes talk like that . Semper Fi Marine..........Rest in Peace"
Edwin P. Sollars of East Palo Alto ,California

"Because of brave soldiers like you, We have freedom! Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. You are my HERO!"
I. Nunez of Napa CA, US

"Hey Phillip! I was you rack mate through boot in PLT 2022Hotel Co. I will never forget all the great times and the hard time we faced together there! Thanks for all your help through everything! We all love you! Take care brother and see you on the other side! SEMPER FIDELIS...."
Owen T. of Houston, Texas

"Corporal West, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"To Phillip's Family:
There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"Thank you Phillip for the gift of freedom you have defended for all of us. I will think of you each time I raise the flag in my front yard. From a grateful American family."
The Shaw Family of Pasadena, Maryland

"To the family and friends of Lance Corporal Phillip G. West,

Those we hold most dear, never truly leave us. May you find comfort in love's everlasting connection.

In the Support section of this web site you will find links to many groups that support you at this crucial time. The Marine Comfort Quilt group would be honored to send a quilt to the next of kin. There are many, loving and caring Americans from all over the United States that will never forget the sacrifice that your loved one has made for our Freedom. Please use our link and register so we can send our "Love Stitched Together."

Proud Marine Mom and Proud Member of Marine Comfort Quilts"
Sandra Moudy of Placentia, Ca USA

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Phillip, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"Thank you Phillip West, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios

"To the family and friends of Lance Cpl. Phillip West:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Phillip for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of Lance Cpl. Phillip West:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Phillip, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia