THE WALL OF FACES

I was a childhood friend and playmate of Esteban. He would polish his shoes and would proudly tell me it was a “Marine Shine”. I looked up to him as a big brother.
As a kid he always wanted to be a Marine and fulfilled that dream.
My parents were close friends with the Alvarez family….
His loss was terrible for them and he left 2 sisters behind.
I have never forgotten the profound sadness of his passing; he died as a true patriot and I was proud to have known him. May God bless his soul!
Mark Ramirez 2023

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizen in a Republic", April 23, 1910

Lance Corporal Esteban Morales Alvarez, Served with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

DEAR LANCE CORPORAL ALVAREZ,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A MARINE GRUNT.
MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WAS ALSO KILLED ON THE 4TH.
REST IN PEACE AND SEMPER FI.

Semper Fi, Marine.