Authors: Gary Williams
SEAL of Honor (7 page)
Mass of Christian Burial
Replacing the Flag
With North Ocean Boulevard in Patchogue cordoned off, the motorcade arrived at the church, turned into the crescent drive, and stopped at the base of the concrete steps that led up to the massive portico with two oversized doors. Above the doors was a large full-color mosaic of Blessed Virgin and Child. Although the intense rain continued, the curb, the sidewalk, and the steps were lined with New York court services officers, members of the New York City Fire Department, veterans in uniform, and active-duty Navy SEALs who stood at attention. The honor guard removed Michael’s flag-draped casket and carried it up the front steps of the church and placed it on the rolling church truck with the family close behind. Inside the gathering space stood a crowd of about three hundred that extended up the balcony stairs on both sides.
Placing of the Funeral PallThe casket bearers solemnly removed and folded the American flag as the family placed the funeral pall, as well as a crucifix and the family rosary, over the casket. The funeral pall, a white cloth placed on a casket as a reminder of the garment given at baptism as a sign of the life in Christ that Michael had lived, covered the casket and extended almost to the floor.
The sanctuary was filled with a standing-room-only crowd that exceeded the permitted capacity of twelve hundred. Everyone stood silently as the casket was slowly escorted to the front of the church, followed by the family. As the casket passed, members of the military snapped to attention and saluted. The only sounds were the sniffles and quiet sobs throughout the cavernous church, the sounds of emotion broken by the synchronized and haunting crisp sound of the steel taps of the shoes of Navy casket bearers on the marble floor.
At the front of the church, the honor guard turned the casket horizontally and then assumed positions at each end as the crowd was seated by Father Robert O’Connell and Father Robert Coyle, cocelebrants of the Mass. Seated in the left front row were Dan, Maureen, and John, along with Maureen’s parents, Frank and Kathleen Jones, and Dan’s sister and brother-in-law, John and Maureen Bogenshutz. In the right front row were Michael’s cousins Kelly, Colleen, and Cathy, along with Michael’s SEAL teammates and Lieutenant Commander Chad Muse and Lieutenant Jeff Widenhofer. As requested, Deacon Maggipinto served as the altar server.
At a Catholic Mass there are three readings, the first from the Old Testament, the second from the New Testament, and the third from the Gospel. The First Reading, given by Lieutenant Commander Muse, was selected from the book of the prophet Daniel (12:1-3). Muse was followed by Lieutenant Widenhofer, who read from 1 John 3:14-16. The Gospel Reading was Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53 and 24:1-6a and was read by Father O’Connell. The first eulogy was provided by Robert Lichtenberger, national commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). He was followed by Lieutenant John Waggoner, Michael’s SEAL teammate, who recalled with emotion that he and Michael had made a promise to each other that if anything ever happened to one of them the other would speak at his funeral. He never thought that he would ever have to act on that promise. The final eulogy was given by Father Robert Stegman, who at age eighty-eight served as the national chaplain for the MOPH.
Maureen, Daniel, John, Heather, Kathleen, Frank, Cathy, Colleen, Kelly, my dear friends in the Lord ... When his father and mother named him Michael they invited into his life and purpose the mission of St. Michael the Archangel, who led the good angels to overcome the bad angels, led by those who thought they could match God Himself.... At times like this we must remember that Michael has not
disappeared—he has just gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us—that he would want us to smile through our tears—knowing that he is alive forever and loving us even more than when he was with us on earth. We can do this if we remember each and every day these three simple things: God loves us, God knows us, and God understands us.
disappeared—he has just gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us—that he would want us to smile through our tears—knowing that he is alive forever and loving us even more than when he was with us on earth. We can do this if we remember each and every day these three simple things: God loves us, God knows us, and God understands us.
God loves us: That same God who created this whole world with a simple word—that Lord who could turn this world back into nothing—that God loves you, He loved Michael and granted him, as He will welcome you when he calls you home, his eternal peace. He will because He will not stop loving you—no matter if you fail—because God is love.
God knows us: He knows all Michael has done—his love for you, God and country. Michael’s love for Him and what he has offered to the Lord—knows what your needs are and will reach out to you in your loss and your love.
God understands us: If I were to ask each one of you how you felt—each one would have a different answer and could say “you don’t understand”—but the Lord looks into your hearts and says “I understand.” Finally I believe that if Michael would speak to you today he might say something like this,
“To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me,
“When I am gone, release me and let me go, I have so many things to see and do, you mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears. Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love; you can only guess how much you gave me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown. But, now it’s time I traveled on alone. So, grieve a while for me, if grieve you must. Then, let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for a while that we must be far away, for life goes on. So, if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near.
“And, if you listen with your heart you’ll hear, all my love around you soft and clear. And, then, when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and welcome you home. . . .”
Following the Mass, Michael was slowly escorted back down the center aisle to the sounds of the recessional hymn, “On Eagle’s Wings.” The family followed close behind holding hands. Through his tears, Dan looked toward the entrance and saw that the heavy rain continued. After they reached the gathering space, the family removed and folded the funeral pall while the Navy casket bearers replaced the American flag over the casket and secured it into position. As the honor guard reached the top of the stairs, the rain stopped. The honor guard then proceeded and placed Michael’s casket in the hearse for his final journey.
Funeral ProcessionHaving grown to 120 vehicles, the motorcade pulled out escorted by ten uniformed local law enforcement officers on motorcycles, and at the rear of the motorcade were four motorcycles carrying uniformed law enforcement officers from various jurisdictions. As the motorcade proceeded, neighbors as well as strangers with American flags lined both sides of the road. The motorcade stopped momentarily in front of the house on Old Medford Road that Michael had called home for twenty-seven years. On the Long Island Expressway local law enforcement blocked off each exit and provided escort and chase vehicles. On the causeway leading into Calverton, sixteen fire ladder trucks from various Long Island departments lined both sides of the road with their ladders fully extended, forming a protracted arch with a large, thirty- by fifty-foot American flag that hung from the center of each set of ladders. Uniformed personnel at attention saluted as Michael passed, while the gentle breeze moved the flags in a manner that appeared to usher the motorcade into the cemetery.
With a large crowd anticipated, parts of the service open to the public were scheduled in the largest of the public assembly areas near the front of the cemetery, while the small, private graveside service attended by family, close friends, and the U.S. Navy personnel followed the pubic service. Many members of the local, national, and international news media were present, some intent upon attaining a photo of a grief-stricken family member. In an effort to protect the family from this invasion of privacy, a large contingent of active-duty military surrounded the media pool and greatly limited their field of view.
Military HonorsAs the funeral party arrived at the public assembly area, about thirty feet from the funeral coach were twelve of Michael’s teammates from SDVT-1, six as honorary pallbearers and six as casket bearers. The seven-man firing party stood at attention in the distance but remained visible to the family. As the funeral coach came into view, the six pallbearers and six casket bearers held their salute until the coach had stopped. The driver opened the rear door and slowly pulled Michael’s flag-draped casket partway out. As Father Coyle took his position on the curb at the head of the pallbearers, the Murphy and Duggan families exited their vehicles, while the officer in charge ordered the pallbearers into position at the rear of the funeral coach. As the pallbearers removed Michael’s casket from the funeral coach, the firing detail was ordered to present arms.
Father Coyle, followed by the officer in charge, led the way to the assembly area. As the casket passed through the pallbearer ranks, each turned and followed.
Directly behind the pallbearers were the Murphy and Duggan families, who were escorted to their seats under two large green canopies.
Directly behind the pallbearers were the Murphy and Duggan families, who were escorted to their seats under two large green canopies.
As the casket bearers placed the casket on the bier, Father Coyle stood at the head of the casket. Captain Bisset stood to his right. After the casket was properly positioned, all uniformed military personnel dropped their salute as the firing detail was ordered to order arms, then to parade rest. The pallbearers stood directly to the left of the casket and faced the Murphy family, while the casket bearers, in unison, raised the flag from the casket, held it waist high and stretched taut over the casket, and remained motionless throughout the remainder of the service. At the conclusion of the invocation by Father Coyle, Rear Admiral Maguire and Captain Pete Van Hooser, a senior East Coast naval officer holding the honorary rank of commodore, presented the Murphy family with two medals that Michael had earned as a result of his service in Afghanistan. First came the Silver Star, with the following citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL
posthumously to
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY
UNITED STATES NAVY
For service set forth in the following
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY
UNITED STATES NAVY
For service set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as part of a Special Reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit, Afghanistan, from 27 to 28 June 2005. In his role of Assistant Officer in Charge of Alfa Platoon and the Reconnaissance and Surveillance ground element commander for the mission, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Operating in the middle of an enemy-controlled area, in extremely rugged terrain, his Special Reconnaissance element was tasked with locating a high-level Anti-Coalition Militia leader, in support of a follow-on direct action mission to capture or destroy the leader and disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the situation, Lieutenant Murphy’s element bravely engaged the militia, who held both a numerical and positional advantage. The ensuing firefight resulted in numerous enemy personnel killed, with several of the Navy members suffering causalities. Ignoring his injuries and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to attack the enemy, eliminating additional militia fighters, until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. A champion of freedom, Lieutenant Murphy will be remembered for his sacrifice in the continuing Global War on Terrorism. By his bold leadership, exceptional professionalism, and loyal devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy awarded upon recommendation by a general or flag officer.
Next, the Purple Heart, with the following citation:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETINGS:
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HAS AWARDED THE
PURPLE HEART
(Posthumously)
ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
AT NEWBURGH, NEW YORK,
AUGUST 7, 1782 TO
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY
UNITED STATES NAVY
FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION
ON 28 JUNE 2005
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETINGS:
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HAS AWARDED THE
PURPLE HEART
(Posthumously)
ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
AT NEWBURGH, NEW YORK,
AUGUST 7, 1782 TO
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY
UNITED STATES NAVY
FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION
ON 28 JUNE 2005
The Purple Heart, this nation’s oldest military award, is awarded to any member of the military who is wounded or killed by direct enemy action. Not requiring a recommendation, the wounded or deceased is entitled to it by his action in combat.
Following the presentations, Father Coyle read from Psalms 129-130, followed by St. John 11, and the invitation to the Lord’s Prayer. As Father Coyle stepped back from the casket, the firing party was ordered to attention and all military personnel in uniform saluted. In perfect unison, the seven-man firing party fired three volleys in a twenty-one-gun salute. Although the loud crack of the rifle volleys startled those who had gathered, the military personnel at attention did not move. After the final volley, as the echo and the smoke faded, the firing party was ordered to present arms, while in the distance a single bugler began the haunting notes of “Taps.”
The Meaning of a Folded FlagAt the conclusion of “Taps,” the honor guard began folding Michael’s burial flag. The lower striped section was folded over and the folded edge was folded over again to meet the open edge. A triangular fold was then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. The first triangular fold symbolized life. The outer point was turned inward so that it was parallel with the open edge, forming the second triangle, symbolic of our belief in eternal life. The third fold was made in honor of our veterans who gave their lives in the defense of our country. The fourth fold represented our weaker human nature. The fifth fold was
a tribute to our country, while the sixth stood for where the people’s hearts lie—it is with our hearts that we pledge our allegiance to the flag of the United States. The seventh fold was a tribute to our armed forces. The eighth fold symbolized the tribute to Christ, who entered into the valley of the shadow of death on our behalf, that we might have eternal life. Fold nine was a tribute to all women and mothers, for it was through their faith, love, and loyalty that the character of those who have made this country great has been shaped. The tenth fold was a tribute to our fathers, for they too have given their sons and daughters in defense of their country. The eleventh fold was symbolic of King David and King Solomon’s seal, which glorified the God of Abraham. Fold twelve symbolized eternal life, glorifying in Christians’ eyes the Trinity. The thirteenth and last fold, with the stars facing upward, was to remind us of our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust.”
a tribute to our country, while the sixth stood for where the people’s hearts lie—it is with our hearts that we pledge our allegiance to the flag of the United States. The seventh fold was a tribute to our armed forces. The eighth fold symbolized the tribute to Christ, who entered into the valley of the shadow of death on our behalf, that we might have eternal life. Fold nine was a tribute to all women and mothers, for it was through their faith, love, and loyalty that the character of those who have made this country great has been shaped. The tenth fold was a tribute to our fathers, for they too have given their sons and daughters in defense of their country. The eleventh fold was symbolic of King David and King Solomon’s seal, which glorified the God of Abraham. Fold twelve symbolized eternal life, glorifying in Christians’ eyes the Trinity. The thirteenth and last fold, with the stars facing upward, was to remind us of our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust.”
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