Supervisor Croci, Town Board Honor Fallen Navy SEAL at MacArthur Day
Islip, NY – Islip Town Supervisor Tom Croci was joined by the rest of the Islip Town Board and other local officials to pay tribute to Lieutenant Michael Murphy at Long Island-MacArthur Airport.
The airport held its annual MacArthur Day ceremony, where outstanding leaders in the Long Island community are recognized for their contributions to our nation.
Lieutenant Michael Murphy, of Patchogue, was a member of the U.S. Navy SEALs serving in Afghanistan in 2005. On June 28th of that year, Lieutenant Murphy and his SEAL team were attacked by a large force of Taliban fighters. Lieutenant Murphy realized that the only way for his team to call in support was to expose himself to enemy fire in order to radio for reinforcements or extraction. He was killed by gunfire just as he completed his transmission. Two years later, Lieutenant Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush.
“During my time as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy I had the privilege to serve with the SEALs,” said Supervisor Croci. “They are the best-trained and most versatile warriors in the world, performing the most dangerous missions, all to protect our freedom.
“I was present at the White House when the reports of the operation were first received in the Situation Room, and at the ceremony where Lieutenant Murphy’s family was presented with his Medal of Honor. I witnessed a president moved and humbled by the extraordinary bravery and heroism of a young lieutenant from the South Shore of Long Island. Lieutenant Murphy exemplified what it means to be a leader and a patriot.”
Lieutenant Murphy’s father, mother, and brother were on hand to receive the MacArthur Leadership Award. In a short video presentation, Lieutenant Murphy’s mother, Maureen, explained that her son “did exactly what we would have expected him to do in that situation…He was always thinking of others.”
Pictured (left to right): Anthony Senft Jr., Islip Town Councilman; Steve Flotteron, Islip Town Councilman; Trish Bergin-Weichbrodt, Islip Town Councilwoman; Owen Johnson, State Senator; Alexis Weik, Islip Receiver of Taxes; Supervisor Croci; John Murphy; Maureen Murphy; Daniel Murphy; Tim Bishop, Congressman; Olga Murray, Islip Town Clerk; Al Graf, State Assemblyman; Tom Cilmi, County Legislator; John Cochrane Jr., Islip Town Councilman.