By Michele Justic
Suffolk is home to a new Navy SEAL Museum in honor Lt. Michael P. Murphy, whose heroism was depicted in the movie, “Lone Survivor.” In 2005, he died alongside his fellow SEALs while on a mission in Afghanistan that came under heavy enemy fire.
Their courage and self-sacrifice are made all the more poignant in the face of violent anti-Israel and anti-American protestors who spent July 4 shouting invectives and burning the American flag in Washington Square Park near that bastion of progressive higher education, namely New York University. Meanwhile over 2.86 million personnel serve in the U.S. Military, including around 9,200 in special warfare missions or support roles for the Navy SEAL division. President Woodrow Wilson’s famed goal was to “make the world safe for democracy.” The world has turned more deadly since then and the military’s goal is to keep America safe.
My family was pleasantly surprised when we took a trip to West Sayville, Long Island to visit the new museum dedicated to Lt. Michael P. Murphy and the Navy SEALs since the special operations force was founded.
The museum opened in 2022 with Paul Dobiecki as head architect, whose dynamic, sharp design and detailed layout of the history and facts help visitors develop a personal and emotional connection to the ideals and values of the Navy SEALs to better understand the meaning and price of freedom.
The exhibits detail the history and facts about the Navy SEALs from World War II through Vietnam and the war on terror. Operation Red Wings, the battle that claimed the life of Lt. Murphy and his comrades, is also depicted in great detail, and the depictions of the brutal SEAL training is a worthy testament to the bravery and dedication of our heroes in the military, past and present. With so much maligning of our military in a wrongful attempt to fight “colonialism,” we need to ensure that future generations are educated about the need for our military to protect the United States from evil forces such as the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Hamas.
The museum was founded by the Murphy family, who lost their son Michael, who served as team leader during Operation Red Wings in 2005.
The museum describes how on June 28, 2005, deep behind enemy lines in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan, a four-man team of Navy SEALs was conducting a reconnaissance mission at the altitude of 10,000 feet. The SEALs, which included Lt. Michael P. Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class, Danny Dietz, Sonar Technician 2nd Class, Matthew Axelson, and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell, had a vital task. They were scouting Ahmad Shah, a terrorist who was leading a guerilla group known as the “Mountain Tigers.” Shah’s group, aligned with the Taliban and other militants situated near the Pakistani border, and posed a significant threat.
After their position was revealed, a fierce firefight erupted between the four SEALs and a much larger enemy force of more than 50 anti-coalition militia. Taking advantage of their terrain advantage, the enemy launched a well-organized, three-sided attack on the SEALs, which left the men badly wounded.
Nevertheless, despite suffering gunshot wounds himself, Murphy risked his life to save the lives of his teammates. With complete disregard for his own life, he moved into the open to gain a better position to transmit a call for help. He was able to contact the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance, calmly providing his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force. At one point he was shot in the back, which caused him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call, and continued firing at the enemy that was now closing in.
An MH-47 Chinook helicopter with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers attempted to land, but a rocket-propelled grenade struck the helicopter, killing all 16 men on board. Nearby, the four SEALs, Murphy, Luttrell, Dietz and Axelson, continued the fight. By the end of a two-hour gunfight, Murphy, Axelson and Dietz were killed and an estimated 35 Taliban lay dead.
The fourth SEAL, Luttrell, was blasted over a ridge by a rocket-propelled grenade and knocked unconscious. Regaining consciousness sometime later, he managed to escape and was rescued on July 2. Murphy, whose undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and inspirational devotion to his men, had successfully relayed his unit’s position in an act that ultimately led to the rescue of Luttrell and the recovery of the remains of the three fatalities, did not survive.
By all accounts, this was the single worst day and single worst loss of life for Naval Special Warfare since World War II. The exhibit states: “The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community will forever remember June 28, 2005 and the heroic efforts and sacrifices of our special operators. We hold with reverence the ultimate sacrifice that they made while engaged in that fierce fire fight on the front lines of the global war on terrorism NSW (GWOT).”
These are the heroes our children need to learn more about. Michael Murphy’s parents visit the museum on a daily basis to oversee operations and help educate visitors. I spoke with Donna Donahue, manager of the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum, and Christopher Wyllie, executive director, who provided some more background information.
Michele Justic: How did this museum come to be? The Murphy family really stands out in its patriotism and civic duty but even given that, creating a museum is an enormous undertaking. How did they manage to do it and how did they choose their partners in this mission?
Christopher Wyllie: The Murphy Family decided to create the museum back in 2015. This was after hearing the Michael Murphy Sea Cadet Division needed a larger place to train and meet. Mr. Murphy spent the next 7 years promoting and fund raising for the Museum. Local Contractors and Businesses came out to support the museum. Posillico Construction was hired to oversee the project and they too, brought vendors and tradesmen to donate.
Michele Justic: What are the goals of the museum? How do you see the museum evolving through the years? What is the target demographic? Do you feel this can be/should be a part of standard school curriculum?
Christopher Wyllie: The goals of the Museum are to educate and inspire our visitors with the unknown history of the Navy SEALs. One of Michael’s favorite quotes was “Education will set you free.”
The Museum will be continuously evolving. We plan on adding additional displays and updating areas over the years. We hope that people will come back a few times each year and see something new. Currently we are working on a Dune Buggy, VR SkyDiving, Winter Warfare Display, and Helicopter.
We do not have a target demographic. I believe that schools should cover history and stories of the brave men and women who built and protected our Nation. This should be part of the curriculum.
Michele Justic: Do you feel patriotism is lacking in this country and are there any ways to restore it?
Christopher Wyllie: Patriotism is learned. Parents and educators need to promote a love for our county. The classroom of the museum will also serve as a learning center for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets. We want visitors to understand the meaning and price of freedom, and appreciate what it means to put service above self. Throughout the museum, visitors will have multiple opportunities to meet, interact with, and learn about the SEAL community through films, videos, and exhibits that honor and promote the ideals and values associated with our Special Warfare Operators. Our goal is for each visitor to have an informative and inspiring experience.
When you visit the SEAL Museum, don’t miss the SEAL Adventure Ride and the beautiful monuments outside as well. You can visit the museum at 50 West Avenue, West Sayville, across from the Maritime Museum.
Michele Justic is Managing Content Editor of the Five Towns Jewish Times.
