Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) started their Memorial Day by participating in the Murph Challenge, May 25.

The Murph Challenge was created to honor Lt. Michael Murphy, a fallen Navy SEAL from Patchogue, New York, who posthumously received a Medal of Honor for his courageous efforts leading a four-man SEAL reconnaissance unit against Taliban forces in Afghanistan. He was killed in action June 28, 2005.

“Murph is a way to bring Sailors and Marines together to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Lt. Nicholas Driscoll, the New York’sMurph Challenge coordinator. “This workout specifically gives us the opportunity to recognize Lt. Michael Murphy, who in 2005 was killed in action while deliberately opening himself up to enemy fire in order to gain better positioning to radio back to a Quick Reaction Force requesting immediate support for his team.”

The Murph Challenge consists of a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 squats, followed by an additional mile. The workout can include a 20- or 14-pound weight vest or kit, but was not mandatory.

"I did the Murph to build good memories with some of friends I made out here and to remember the courageous act that Michael Murphy did," said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Andrew Gonzalez, a Murph Challenge competitor.

In addition to remembering the sacrifice made by Lt. Michael Murphy and countless others by completing the event on Memorial Day, Sailors and Marines felt a sense of camaraderie and teamwork by completing the challenge together while deployed to the U.S. Fifth fleet area of operations.

“The camaraderie you get out of it is really something,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Austin Burns, a Murph competitor. “To do it on a ship out on deployment is something not a lot of people can say [they have done].”

One Sailor enjoyed how hard his fellow Sailors and Marines pushed themselves for this competition.
"I appreciate everyone pushing themselves to the limit,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Austin Riley, a Murph Challenge competitor. “It showed the fortitude built in to people who are willing to sacrifice everything for their country. It is a symbol for what we do and for what Michael Murphy did."

New York’s Sailors and Marines participated in the workout for various reasons, and took pause to remember the sacrifice made by those honored on Memorial Day.

“Being deployed, especially in the area of responsibility that we are in, gives Memorial Day and the workout a little extra meaning,” said Driscoll. “Everybody on this ship volunteered to be here, and signed up knowing one day they might be asked to put their lives on the line to defend freedom and democracy around the world. Doing the workout on our flight deck where we are in the world, I believe the Sailors and Marines know what's being asked of them, and they are more aware and thankful for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

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