Wesley Love

Wesley S. Love, a long-time resident of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021, at age 75.

On June 6, 1946, Wes was born to Rodney and Elma (Schilling) Love in Mandan, North Dakota. Wes grew up and worked on the family's 1,700-acre dairy farm just north of Mandan, ND graduating from Mandan High School in 1964. Wes would go on to join the United States Marine Corps in 1967, following his older brother, Ron.

During the January Tet Offensive of 1968, he was deployed to Vietnam. As a Sergeant, Wes became a key squad leader in Weapons Platoon (3.5-inch Rocket Launchers), attached to Kilo Company, 3rd Bn, 27th Marine Regiment. Additionally, Wes participated in one of the most significant combat operations in the RVN, I-Corps tactical area during the peak year in Vietnam, 1968, designated Operation Allen Brook.

Wes was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1970 and went to work for Lockheed Martin (24 years of service), and also joined the Colorado National Guard, serving our state and nation for another twenty years. Since retiring from his military and civilian careers, Wes has worked with local Vietnamese communities teaching English. He was an honorary Captain with the Vietnamese American Veterans Association and Senior Military Advisor for the Hmong American Coalition, where he held the honorary rank of First Sergeant.

Wes, an integral member of Boots 66, and other Vets preserved the memory of Colorado's recent fallen heroes lost because of the recent Middle Eastern Wars. Wes and Boots 66 members would show up at Denver International Airport handing out coffee, offering rides to military personnel traveling home or through the area. In addition, they asked many Colorado companies and corporations for contributions which enabled them to load up trucks with food & supplies, distributing them to those in need around the nation who experienced the recent and terrible disasters of fire & floods.

In addition, he is a life member of the VFW, the American Legion, a member in the First Marine Division Association, and a prominent Denver area monthly luncheon group of Marines & Corpsmen named "Coopers Troopers." Members honored Wes by naming him as their "Honorary Sergeant Major."

He is survived by his daughter Brandi & her husband Matt Christmann of Laramie, Wyoming and his sister Carol Love of Loveland, Colorado.

Wesley is preceded in death by his grandparents, Chalmer and Bertha Love; his parents, Rodney and Elma; and his brothers, Ronald and Gary.

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