Father of Navy SEAL Michael Murphy has spent 20 years keeping hero son’s legacy alive

It's been nearly 20 years since Daniel Murphy learned that his son, Michael, a Navy SEAL lieutenant from Long Island, had been killed in action in Afghanistan, along with two other members and 16 other military personnel.

The Medal of Honor recipient's heroic deeds were memorialized in the 2013 film Lone Survivor, but the proud father has been working with West Sayville's Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy since its opening two years ago. He has shared his legacy almost every day at the museum.

“If Michael's story brings public attention to our fallen heroes, then he accomplished something — even in death,” Murphy, now 77, told the Post. spoke. “Our goal was to tell and show people what these amazing young people are doing.”

Semi-retired, Murphy moved to Wading River to live closer to Michael's grave in nearby Calverton National Cemetery, but not just to honor Michael's legacy; I travel 45 minutes every day to the museum near Michael's grave. Military service.

While it gives visitors a deep understanding of what the life of a Navy SEAL and all military service is really like, it's also a moment to reunite with your lost son.

“I tell him what's going on, who's at the museum, who I met, what we talked about, etc.,” he said.

“Lone Survivor”

On a typical day, Murphy speaks to visitors and vividly describes what his ex-wife, Michael's mother Maureen (who also visits the museum multiple times a week), has endured since her son's death.

“We've had visitors from 47 states and 36 counties, and almost every one of them knows Michael's story coming in,” Murphy said.

Murphy's heroic act was portrayed by director Taylor Kitsch as Taylor, who sacrificed himself during a reconnaissance mission as part of a four-man team surrounded on three sides by dozens of Taliban militia at an altitude of 10,000 feet. -Known for blockbuster movies drawn by Kitsch. It failed in June 2005.

“Michael was a hero before he was a hero,” he said. “He had a very high sense of purpose and a clear line between good and evil. That's how he earned his name 'The Protector.'”

But Murphy's father, a Vietnam veteran, remembers many things about his son that the public may not know.

“In eighth grade, he got into an argument with three bullies who tried to force a special needs student into a locker in the gym. He knew it wasn't right and didn't get involved. ,” Murphy said.

The Sayville Museum, located near Murphy's childhood home in Patchogue, focuses on the history of elite combat units in the land, air, and ground since the beginning of World War II.

It extends to the present day, with exhibits about the murder of Osama bin Laden and the brutality of the ultra-rigorous Underwater Demolition SEAL Basic Training (BUD/S) that all recruits must pass. It was performed at the opening of “Lone Survivor”.

Near Asadabad, there is another room dedicated to Murphy and 18 of his comrades who fell during the equally infamous Operation Red Wings.

Daniel and Maureen are busy sharing heart-wrenching details of their days of waiting in limbo, with Navy SEALs living with them to get real-time updates on Michael's fate. spending a lot of time.

Murphy was officially declared killed in action at midnight on July 4, but his father knew much earlier.

“I remember [the SEAL] “He said an emergency beacon was sent out regarding one survivor,” he recalled.

“At that time, I remember saying to Maureen, 'If only one person survives, it won't be Michael.' Surviving and losing all of his men is not the path for him. ”

continue the mission

The establishment of the museum allowed Michael's father to see first-hand how much his son was loved, especially as merchants from all over Long Island volunteered to help build the museum. “We basically built a $5 million museum for less than $2 million,” said Murphy, who is also a board member.

During construction seven years ago, the desire to give back was strong in the mind of Chris Wylie, a former SEAL and Special Warfare combatant in the 1990s. Wiley offered free help to the audiovisual company he founded after his stint.

As Wiley developed a relationship with the Murphy family, he learned more about Michael's life and was inspired to become its executive director.

“It's a different type of museum than a personal museum,” Wiley, 51, told the Post, adding that Marcus Luttrell, the only surviving Navy SEAL played by Mark Wahlberg, will be attending some of the major events. He added that he is doing so.

“Everyone can talk about what they're experiencing in a museum, and I think it takes it to a whole new level,” he said.

About a year before 9/11, Wiley retired from the SEALs for health reasons. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to rejoin any military branch as the war on terrorism began.

Although it took him a long time to come to terms with his situation, Wiley learned that in his current role he could provide a different kind of service, especially to visiting veterans who were showing signs of struggling.

“I personally try to go to them and let them know that I am here, that they are not alone in this situation, that I am still experiencing events related to PTSD. “I'm doing it,” he said.

“Nine times out of 10, before they leave, I give them my cell phone and say, 'Listen, if you need anything, even if it's 2 a.m., call me.' Someone please wake me up and talk to me or help me.”

As the living continue to do good work in Michael's name, Murphy is occasionally reminded that his son is still there, watching and protecting him.

In the late 2000s, a family friend in New Jersey awarded the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Medal of Honor to a retired Coast Guard boat he had purchased.

“When the Miracle on the Hudson River occurred, this ship was the first to reach the plane,” Murphy said of the sensational 2009 incident that catapulted pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger to stardom. talked about.

“Someone on TV said, 'Looks like Lt. Michael Murphy is still on duty and saving lives.'” That blew me away. ”