Military Appreciation ceremony, Long Island hockey game set to honor Lt. Michael P. Murphy
Long Island's hometown hero will be remembered this weekend through the sport he loved most: hockey.
The Eastern Hockey League game between the New York Bobcats and New York Applecore at Twin Rinks at Eisenhower in East Meadow, L.I. on Saturday will culminate Military Appreciation Day, in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, USN.
Murphy, born in Smithtown and raised in Patchogue, died at age 29 in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005. The Navy SEAL team leader posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions that helped lead to the rescue of fellow SEAL Marcus Luttrell.
Admission to the 5 p.m. game is free, with a $5 donation to the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund suggested. The event will be held to educate young hockey players on his legacy and the values his life represents.
The Long Island Gulls youth hockey team is a co-sponsor of the day-long program, which includes pregame addresses by Murphy's parents and former Islander and Ranger Pat LaFontaine, and a "Murph" fitness challenge.
Starting at 2 p.m., youth players, families and attendees will have the opportunity to do the Murph Challenge Workout, and interested participants are encouraged to dress for running, push-ups, pull-ups and squatting.
More information is available at the NY Bobcats/LI Gulls Military Appreciation Day page on Facebook.
More on Lt. Murphy's life and honors:
