MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station residents gathered at the Marine Memorial Chapel here to pay respects to Lt. j.g. Bruce B. West during a memorial service May 26.
West, native of Baldwinsville, N.Y.(not Williamsburg, Va., as printed in last week’s edition of the Iwakuni Approach), Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron chaplain, was killed in a bicycle accident near Yasaka dam May 20.
West was ordained as a minister of the Evangelical Church Alliance. He had a Masters Degree of theological studies from the Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Fla.
West joined the Navy in August 2010 and arrived here in November 2010.
For the short time West spent here, his bright smile and genuinely cheerful demeanor left a lasting impact on the community.
“His actions were not staged or faked. His incredible smile, that million dollar smile of his, is just one example of that,” said Lt. Col. Michael R. Coletta, H&HS commanding officer. “From the first day I met him to the last time I saw him, that smile of his was permanently affixed to his face. It was not an act; it was genuine,” he said.
During the service, friends and loved ones shared the things they will remember most about him, his devotion to serving others and his contagious positive attitude.
“He had a passion for you single Marines,” said Maryann West, West’s wife. “He deeply wanted to minister to your needs, to meet you where you were and to provide an outlet for you.”
Sgt. Maj. Peter W. Ferral, H&HS sergeant major, conducted the traditional roll call. With the absence of West’s response, the bugle sounded, and “Taps” echoed throughout the chapel as attendee’s stood at attention, many fighting to withhold tears.
“He loved his country very much, and he loved the people that serve his country,” said Lt. Robert E. Mills, station deputy command chaplain. “He was a good example for the rest of us in so many ways.”
Throughout the local community, West’s positive attitude, cheerful demeanor, selflessness, commitment to helping and serving others and his million dollar smile will never be forgotten.