Smithtown Today kicks off our Hometown Heroes series, in correspondence with Independence Day, in the best company.
We headed out to Ronkonkoma today to honor one of this generation’s greatest heroes; Navy SEAL LT Michael P. Murphy, at the 4 mile Run Around The Lake. A sea of spectators and participants from all over the East Coast, united together with Dan and Maureen Murphy and host; the Ronkonkoma Rotary Club, in celebration of the life, spirit and will of Navy SEAL LT Michael Murphy. In addition to hundreds of supporters, runners included Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, the Men of Operation Red Wings family and friends and a very gracious Taylor Kitsch, who portrayed “Murph” in Lone Survivor. But to quote Maureen Murphy, “the big celebrity with us today is Mike.”
As tomorrow approaches, so does the 10th anniversary of Operation Red Wings. Thanks to foundations like the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Lone Survivor Foundation and LT. Michael Murphy Foundation, the legacy of Murph and his fellow SEAL team members is one of eternal hope. The Proceeds from today’s run around the lake will go to these charities, giving returning soldiers and their families the tools and support to transition to post-military life.
The Long Island Blue Star Moms were also out in support today; with founder of Angel Bikes, Cynthia Ventura, reminding us it’s equally important to take care of our soldiers overseas. The LI Blue Star Moms send care packages to our Troops, for the cost of shipping ($20). Steven Antonacci and the American Legion, Post 651 of Sayville encouraged runners and raised funds to assists local Veterans. The founders of BeesWell were also at the event, raising awareness for their 2,000 mile bike ride down the East Coast, to assist homeless Veterans and lead the charge on PTSD within the community.
To bare witness to whole families running in memory of their fallen kin, countless gratitude for service greetings, a popular movie star travel across the country, just to be part of the crowd today… it was in a word, gripping. We should be so lucky to be in the presence of true bravery. We should all aspire to preserve the memories, life and legacy of heroes like Lt. Michael Murphy and the members of Operation Red Wings, as Dan and Maureen Murphy do every day.