At CrossFit Impact (CFI), we’ll be marking Memorial Day holiday in a very special way!
We’re formally inviting all of our CFI athletes to register for The Memorial Murph Day WOD, which will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2014. Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26, 2014.
Participants in the Memorial Murph Day WOD, you’ll be joining a unique group of Americans who show their support of support of a hero, Lt. Michael P. Murphy (May 7, 1976 – June 28, 2005.) This U.S. Navy SEAL gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Afghanistan. The Crossfit Hero WOD Murph, originally dubbed Body Armor, is our unique way of paying tribute to this veteran.
About Lt. Michael P. Murphy (SEAL)
Lt. Murphy was serving as the officer-in-charge of a four-man team of U.S. Navy SEALs in Asadabad, Afghanistan, where they were taking part in Operation Red Wings. Lt. Murphy and his fellow SEALs were assigned to root out an anti-coalition militia leader when they encountered a group of three goat herders. They were detained and later released, but it was a choice that would come to haunt the SEALS, as it’s believed that these goat herders were serving as lookouts for the Taliban.
The Taliban fighters were subsequently notified of the SEALs’ presence in the area and a firefight ensued on a treacherous, steep mountainside. Lt. Murphy was gravely wounded in the battle, but true to the SEALs never-give-up warrior spirit, he pushed on, risking his own life to save the lives of his fellow SEALs.
During the gun battle, Lt. Murphy realized that the extreme terrain was making it impossible to communicate with the military headquarters to request backup support. So without hesitation, an injured Lt. Murphy moved out of the protective shelter of the mountain rocks into the open — all so he could make the call that would save his fellow soldiers’ lives.
The call was successful. Lt. Murphy was able to get in contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force, based at the Bagram Air Base and went on to explain the situation, his position, information on the enemy forces and other essential information required to rescue the SEALs.
A gunshot to the back couldn’t stop him from completing the call and returning fire on the unrelenting Taliban fighters. He managed to complete the call, just as the Taliban fighters were moving in. Despite wounds that would prove to be fatal, Lt. Murphy made it back to his team and continued to right right up until the end. He gave his life as a fellow team
member escaped the battle.
Lt. Murphy’s actions were, no doubt, heroic. For his commitment and bravery, LT. Michael Murphy received the Congressional Medal of Honor (posthumously) on October 27, 2007.
With the Memorial Murph Day WOD, we honor this brave man’s unrelenting will to push through the pain, through adversity, all in a mission to achieve his goal. So join the CrossFit Impact team at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2014 to honor this incredible veteran’s memory as you work to achieve your own fitness objectives!
To learn more about Lt. Michael Murphy Memorial Foundation, visit themurphchallenge.com.