Guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) honored the memory of Lt. Michael P. Murphy by participating in a Memorial Day workout May 30.

The event, called 'The Murph Challenge' has been held annually since Murphy, a native of New York, was killed in Afghanistan in 2005. Sailors aboard Stout participated in a variety of physically challenging exercises.

"The event is intended to push us, humble us, and dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor a man who gave everything he had," said Ensign Timothy Roy, who initiated Stout's participation in the event. "I was inspired to get Stout involved when I realized how special it would be to get a group of deployed Sailors together and pay tribute to the cause, and hopefully, we can in turn inspire others across the fleet to join us in the future."

During the timed workout, Sailors began with a 1-mile run, then 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and finished with another 1-mile run. Sailors wishing to push their limits wore vests adding an additional 20 lbs. of weight to the already grueling exercise.

Twenty-four Stout Sailors participated in the event, and Stout now plans to honor a fallen service member each month of deployment through physical fitness challenges.

"[Physical training] is extremely important to the Navy," said Command Master Chief Ronald Glass. "The Navy has come a long way in trying to instill the importance of fitness to Sailors and the benefit living a healthy, active lifestyle [while] serving has once we transition to veterans."

"Today, Stout was able to tie-in our emphasis on physical fitness as well as recognize and remember those who have gone before us," Glass added. "The Murph Challenge gave us an opportunity to workout and educate our Sailors on some of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty."

Stout is currently deployed conducting naval operations in the 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

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