Maureen Murphy and John Murphy will serve as honorary captains. Lt. Michael Murphy, Maureen's son and John's brother, was a Navy SEAL who lost his life in a firefight in eastern
Michael Murphy, a Patchogue, N.Y., native, exposed himself to enemy fire in order to place a call to get help for his SEAL team. Despite being shot in the back, he picked up his transmitter, completed the call and fought on bravely against the insurgents.
A helicopter with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard was sent in to help the four SEALs, but it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and all 16 men were killed.
Even though outnumbered on the ground, Murphy and the three other SEALs waged an incredible battle. After a two-hour gunfight, Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz, and Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson had lost their lives. A fourth SEAL, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell, survived and eventually was rescued by U.S. Forces days later.
By relaying his position, Lt. Murphy helped save Luttrell and also led to the recovery of the remains of the three valiant warriors. For his courageous efforts, Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor — the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the U.S. Armed Services. He was the first sailor to receive the award since the Vietnam War.
"It's almost like it's a snapshot of how he lived his life," said Maureen Murphy. "We know how he lived his life, but now the nation knows."
On Friday, 55 military personnel, representing each of the five branches of the Armed Forces, will be guests at the team's last practice of the week.
Before Sunday's game at the Meadowlands, each military branch will have exhibits and recruiting stations set up on the berm outside Gate D. Inside the stadium, a giant American flag will be unfurled by 75 troops. A joint forces color guard will present the colors and Marine Sgt. Elizabeth Quinones will perform the National Anthem, at the close of which there will be a Coast Guard flyover.
Messages from our troops will be played in the stadium during the game, and messages from seven Jets players — Chad Pennington, Laveranues Coles, James Dearth, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, Mike Nugent and Leon Washington — will be broadcast to our troops serving overseas.
See more "Off the Field" for Military Appreciation Day at the Redskins Game
