Wesley Joel Canning

We still hold our memories of Wes from before he deployed to Iraq his last time. Allison and I are proud and honored to have known him during his brief time with us. We have also developed a deep appreciation for the courage of and sacrifices made by our Marines in defending our country. May God richly bless Wes' family and the US Marine Corp. Allison and Denton Collins

We remember Wes as we saw him and Chayla in the early fall of 2004. They were heading back to Camp Lejuene for Wes' deployment back to Iraq. They left the following day, leaving us regretting having only a few hours to enjoy their company. As always, we thank the U.S. Marines for their ever faithful service to our country and we ask for God's blessings and safekeeping on the men and women who serve today. Allison and Denton Collins

Twenty years have now passed since Wes was killed in action in the second battle of Fallujah, Iraq. Our memories of seeing him and Chayla in September 2004 are still fresh. We ask God's blessings on Wes' family, and for Him to bless the Marines that fought with Wes on that fateful day. May God bless America. Allison and Denton Collins

Since 2004, our thoughts on all Memorial Day holidays have been of Wes. We so appreciate his willingness to step up in service to this country, and we mourn his loss in that service on November 10, 2004. We praise God that there continue to be men and women who volunteer to protect our country as we navigate the perilous world we live in. May God richly bless these men and women and their branches of service, and may He also continue to bless the United States of America. Allison and...

My family thanks you so very much for your service, and are so very sad that you had to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Every Marine Corp birthday I think of you, and your sacrifice for our country. You will remain forever in my thoughts, as the young man who told us that your ultimate goal in life was to be a Marine. We were proud of you then, and we are proud of you now. God bless you and all Marines on this day.

It's hard to believe that 19 years have gone by since Wes was killed in combat. We praise God that the US Marines still stand ready to protect our country. Sadly (but proudly), our well-worn hero bracelets remind us of the high price some have paid to maintain this protection. We thank Wes' family and the Marines that served alongside him, and ask that God continue to bless them and keep them.

We are remembering Wes today and his willingness to stand with his fellow Marines in fighting for our country. We continue to pray for his family, knowing that Memorial Day always brings up the grief we all suffer from his loss. May God bless all who mourn on this day.

Wes would be 39 years old if he were alive today. Allison and I still mourn his loss, but are thankful that he and his fellow Marines were (and still are) willing to stand and defend our country. May God bless Chayla and the rest of Wes' family, and may He bless the US Marines.