‘MURPH THE PROTECTOR’ will be featured at the Hamburg Strand Theater on Sunday, July 20. The film is a feature-length documentary based on LT Michael Murphy’s entire life of honor, courage and commitment as told by his friends, family and teammates.
Murphy was a United States Navy SEAL officer who was awarded the U.S. military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the War in Afghanistan. He was also the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War. His other posthumous awards include the Silver Star (which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor) and the Purple Heart.
Michael Murphy was born and raised in Suffolk County, NY. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with honors and dual degrees in political science and psychology. After college he accepted a commission in the US Navy and began basic underwater demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, CA. After completing two years of training he officially became a Navy SEAL in July 2002. After participating in several War on Terrorism missions, he was killed on June 28, 2005, after his team was compromised and surrounded by Taliban forces near Asadabad, Afghanistan. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2007.
Since his death a US Navy destroyer, a post office, a combat training pool at Naval Station Newport, a Sea Cadet unit, a park, and a high school have been named in his honor.
Gary Williams, co-producer of MURPH as well as Cory Etchberger, son of Hamburg’s Hometown Medal of Honor recipient, CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger, will be in attendance. Doors to the theater will open at 1 p.m., with the show beginning at 1:30 p.m. There is limited seating, so advance tickets are recommended. Call the Our Town Foundation office in Hamburg, 610-562-3106. Additional information on Michael Murphy and the film MURPH can be found at www.murphmovie.com.
