THE WALL OF FACES

Philip is buried at North Side Catholic Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA. PH

I will never forget the sacrifices made by all of the Vietnam soldiers and will keep all of you in my heart until my last day on earth.

Your journey on earth ended too soon, but you will have everlasting life in heaven.

Thank you for your bravery and courage.

Rest in peace dear soldier.

...your little sister, Philip, who had just started the school year in my third grade classroom that September, telling me that she lost her wonderful, big brother. I sat quietly in the back of St. Cyril Church as the Marine Corp honor guard escorted you into church. You would have been proud of your little sister. Somehow, she made it bravely through the Mass, a sign to me that you were there, supporting her and your family.

I remember Phil as the handsome friend and classmate of my older sibling at Sacred Heart School in Emsworth. I was so sorry to hear that he had died in Vietnam. I believe he is the only one from the town on the bank of the Ohio River who gave his life for his country. I was surprised to read that he was born in Belfast...and happy to hear that he was honored there.

Philip was born in Belfast, in the North of Ireland. Last year on Memorial Day 1999 he was remembered by the Donnelly School of Irish Dancers as one of the 17 Irish-born lads whose names appear on the Wall. Each one was presented with a yellow rose (a well known Irish song), I only had one tri-color and I thought well I would give it to Philip since he never got to see it much in Belfast. There was also someone else from Belfast at the Wall and he wrote a message for Philip. You sit at the right hand of God, Philip.