THE WALL OF FACES

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions and spends himself in a great worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end triumph of high achievement and, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while caring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold, timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt

Phil came to live with us in Alexandria. My Dad was his uncle. I was about 6 or 7 years old at the time. He was larger than life to me and my brothers, and I remember him coming to my birthday party. It was like Elvis had dropped by. He had stopped at the store and bought me a toy boat- I can see it today. I also remember answering the door when the Marines came with the news. He was just a kid.....

During a "clandestine, spontaneous happening" at the CPT Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day 2020, the "Friends of Rocky Versace" remembered Private First Class Philip Newman Malone, U.S. Marine Corps, as well as Alexandria's 67 other Vietnam War Fallen Heroes. A video of the "happening" is available for viewing at this link/URL:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/imz166z2qreygsu/Friends%20of%20Rocky%20Versace%2C%20Memorial%20Day%202020.mp4?dl=0

I remember when you would come to the playground at Maury School. Always someone us younger kids looked up to. It was a sad day when I heard you died. My son is in the Marines now.

Dear PFC Philip Malone, Thank you for your service as a Field Radio Operator. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today is the 76th anniversary of Operation Overlord. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.