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Murphy was born on May 7, 1976 in Smithtown, New York to Irish American parents Maureen and Daniel Murphy, a former assistant Suffolk County district attorney and Vietnam veteran. He was raised in Patchogue. He attended Saxton Middle School, where he played youth soccer and pee-wee football, with his father as coach. In high school, he continued playing sports, and took a summer job as a lifeguard at the Brookhaven town beach in Lake Ronkonkoma. He returned to the job every summer throughout his college years.

Murphy was known to his friends as “Murph”, and he was known as “The Protector” in his high school years. In 8th grade, he protected a child with special needs who was being shoved into a locker by a group of boys, this was the only time the principal of the school had called his parents, they couldn’t have been prouder. He also protected a man who was homeless, who was being attacked while collecting cans. He chased away the attackers and helped the man pick up his cans.

In 1994, Murphy graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School and left home to attend The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). He graduated from Penn State in 1998, with a double major degree in political science and psychology. Murphy was engaged to be married with the ceremony scheduled for November 2005.

After graduating from Penn State, Murphy was accepted to several law schools, but decided to attend SEAL mentoring sessions at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. In September 2000, he accepted an appointment to the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. On December 13 of that year, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy and began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California in January 2001, eventually graduating with Class 236.

Upon graduation from BUD/S, he attended the United States Army Airborne School, SEAL Qualification Training and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) school. Murphy earned his SEAL Trident and checked on board SDV Team ONE (SDVT-1) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in July 2002. In October 2002, he deployed with Foxtrot Platoon to Jordan as the liaison officer for Exercise Early Victor. Following his tour with SDVT-1, Murphy was assigned to Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) in Florida and deployed to Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from Qatar, he was deployed to Djibouti to assist in the operational planning of future SDV missions.

(From online sources)

The Battle:

On June 28, 2005, Lt. Murphy was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wing tasked with finding key anti-coalition militia commander near Asadabad, Afghanistan. Shortly after inserting into the objective area, the SEALs were spotted by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It is believed the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs’ presence to Taliban fighters.

A fierce gun battle ensued on the steep face of the mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to transmit a call to get help for his men.

Moving away from the protective mountain rocks, he knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire.  This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the enemy.  While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point, he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in.  Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle.

As a result of Murphy’s call, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard, was sent in as part of the QRF to extract the four embattled SEALs. As the Chinook drew nearer to the fight, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter, causing it to crash and killing all 16 men aboard.

On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four SEALs, continued to fight.  By the end of a two-hour gunfight that careened through the hills and over cliffs, Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson had fallen. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead.  The fourth SEAL, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, was blasted over a ridge by a rocket-propelled grenade and knocked unconscious. Though severely wounded, the fourth SEAL and sole survivor, Luttrell, was able to evade the enemy for nearly a day; after which local nationals came to his aide, carrying him to a nearby village where they kept him for three more days. Luttrell was rescued by U.S. Forces on July 2, 2005.

By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit and inspirational devotion to his men in the face of certain death, Lt. Murphy was able to relay the position of his unit, an act that ultimately led to the rescue of Luttrell and the recovery of the remains of the three who were killed in the battle.

—Murph Foundation “Biography”

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**REMINDER!!  Saturday 5/28: ONE CLASS ONLY - MURPH!**

This is a MEGA workout.  Don’t get rhabdo!  Please read up on rhabdo, the causes and symptoms, hydration, and know where that tipping point is for you!  The most important part of Saturday is making sure everyone pushes hard for Murph without any injuries!!  Scale as needed, listen to your body, do what you can, push your limits.


Memorial Day 5/30: Cadence Run at 8 AM, meeting at Wyomissing Pool.  Followed by ONE class at 9 AM at Corps Fitness.

TEACHER + NURSE APPRECIATION
We’re rolling out a new pricing schedule for our teacher and nurses!  Check out the top of CF’s fees page for more information!

SUMMER KIDS CLASSES
See previous post for summer kids class information!

HERO WEEK
Submit your honorees TODAY!  Summer 2016 HW will be June 19 - 25th.

GENERAL UPDATES
- The Kaag Challenge is extended indefinitely, so be sure to get in touch with Chris or Melissa for a time slot!  CFers have been gettin’ it done week after week - congrats!!
- A reminder to check out the CF Loyalty Program and Incentives we announced April 1st. You can also earn points via membership and merchandise purchases!  Check out the link for full details, and start earning today!  For newbies looking to take advantage of the incentives, remember you must attend an intro class first.  After that, you’re be eligible for 2 weeks of free membership and then an additional month at $70.

SCHEDULE UPDATES:
- Memorial Day 5/30: Cadence Run at 8 AM, meeting at Wyomissing Pool.  Followed by ONE class at 9 AM at Corps Fitness.
- REMINDER: Typical Saturday class times are now 8 AM (Corps Fitness) and 9:15 AM (CrossFit).  Two different class types on a Saturday!

SPIN / KRANK
– Tuesdays 10:30 AM with Aimee
Thursdays 6:30 PM with Mike - CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday SPIN classes are on hiatus for summer.

FREE INTRO CLASSES
Next Intro to Corps Fitness class will be Saturday 5/28 at 9:30 AM with Chris.  Come on by and then enroll in our incentive program!

WEEKEND INSTRUCTORS
Friday 5:30 PM – John
Sunday 8:30 AM – Gretchen

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What is a Hero to you? Is it someone who you consider to have done a courageous or noble deed? Is it someone who has sacrificed their own well-being or life for the sake of others?

In the past, we have honored fallen military and first responders, we have honored those whose lives have been severely altered because of their heroism, and we have honored children whose lives are changed due to health or physical conditions.

This June, we look to honor YOUR heroes. Do you know a family member, friend or acquaintance who embodies the characteristics of a Hero? If there is a person in your life who you’d like to recognize this Hero Week for their heroism, you may nominate them for our Honor Roll. All submissions must be sent to [email protected] by May 31st. Please include Hero’s name and a brief summary of why they are a hero to you. Honor roll suggestions are completely up to you…..they may be someone still living or deceased, they may be a fallen soldier, someone fighting a health battle, someone currently serving in a dangerous position to maintain our freedoms.

If your submission is chosen, we will ask you for a more detailed bio to be used during Hero Week, as well as a picture or two of your Hero. Additionally, if your Hero is chosen and you’d like to add input to the workout created for his/her day, you may do so.

We look forward to hearing from you and the examples of heroes that are in your lives! And, we will look forward in June to shedding a little blood, sweat and tears to honor them the best way CFers know how!!

Hero Week Kicks Off
Sunday, June 19th

Concludes
Saturday, June 25th

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THIS SUNDAY May 15th is the CF Pinnacle Hike:
Join us for a social hike up to the Pinnacle overlook near Hamburg.  Meet at CF ready to leave the parking lot at 8:30 AM, or meet in the Hamburg reservoir parking lot by 9 AM.  Rain date TBD if necessary.  Out and back hike, approximately 7 miles, slow pace, plan for it to take most of the day / returning early to mid afternoon.  If you do 8:30 AM class, you probably can hike quickly and meet up with the group even if you get there around 10 AM, or we’ll eventually cross paths because it’s an out and back hike…  Just a thought for the FOMO CFers.

TEACHER + NURSE APPRECIATION
We’re rolling out a new pricing schedule for our teacher and nurses!  Check out the top of CF’s fees page for more information!

SUMMER KIDS CLASSES
See last week’s post for summer kids class information!

MURPH
Another THANK YOU to Rob and Kim R for sponsoring the Murph Challenge at Corps Fitness again this year!  Check out the previous blog post for details on how to sign up online (if you want to) and when / how we’re running it at CF.  You don’t have to sign up on the Murph website to participate in the workout - just show up for class on the 28th (ONE CLASS THAT DAY, 8:30 AM).  This is a mega workout, so please make sure you are physically (and mentally) prepared.  Scale if you need to.  Listen to your body.  Don’t get rhabdo!

GENERAL UPDATES
- Check your email inbox for a special CF newsletter regarding Hero Week.  Summer 2016 HW will be June 19 - 25th.  Plan accordingly!
- The Kaag Challenge is extended indefinitely, so be sure to get in touch with Chris or Melissa for a time slot!  If you have already completed the Kaag Challenge, remember to stop by the front desk for an IM ABLE t-shirt.
- A reminder to check out the CF Loyalty Program and Incentives we announced April 1st. You can also earn points via membership and merchandise purchases!  Check out the link for full details, and start earning today!  For newbies looking to take advantage of the incentives, remember you must attend an intro class first.  After that, you’re be eligible for 2 weeks of free membership and then an additional month at $70.

SCHEDULE UPDATES:
- REMINDER: Saturday class times are now 8 AM (Corps Fitness) and 9:15 AM (CrossFit).  Two different class types on a Saturday!
- Saturday 5/21: CF CLOSED FOR GOT THE NERVE TRIATHLON
- Saturday 5/28: ONE CLASS ONLY

SPIN / KRANK
– Tuesdays 10:30 AM with Aimee
– Thursdays 6:30 PM with Mike
Wednesday and Saturday SPIN classes are on hiatus for summer.

FREE INTRO CLASSES
Next Intro to Corps Fitness class will be Saturday 5/14 at 9:30 AM with Chris.  Come on by and then enroll in our incentive program!

WEEKEND INSTRUCTORS
Friday 5:30 PM – John
Sunday 8:30 AM – Emily

Lead follow or practicing dance moves?

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Many thanks again this year to the Rob and Kim Rauenzahn for sponsoring Corps Fitness to be an Official Host to the Murph Challenge, presented by Forged.  This workout held annually serves as a major fundraiser for the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Scholarship Foundation which presents over 21 scholarships each year as well as making contributions to other very worthy organizations.  If you would like to be officially registered (registration will get you a free tank or t-shirt and you will be able to submit your time to see how you compare around the country), you can do so here:  https://themurphchallenge.com/register/  The cost to be officially registered is $60 for gold level (you additionally get a hat) or $40.  Remember, all proceeds go to the Foundation.

And, even if you do not officially register, you still can join in the “fun”.  This “fun” will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 8:30AM.  This will be the ONLY class at CF that day.   For those of you who have never participated or have never done the “Murph” workout, here is a quote from the website that serves as a great motivation to get it done:  “The ‘Murph’ is more than just a workout, it is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, an dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor a man who gave everything he had.”  And, if you are new, or worried about making it through the workout, remember, there are always ways to scale for your fitness level.

And, if you are looking for even more motivation, please read this letter written by Michael’s father, Dan:

http://themurphchallenge.com/host/Dan-Murphy-MurphChallenge-2016.pdf

Looking for a big crowd to gut out “Murph” on May 28th….can’t wait to see you there!  Thanks again Rob & Kim!!!

 

 

 

 

 

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Did you do your taxes yet??  Sometimes adulting is no fun…  But sometimes it is, like when you come to CF and get to play with all of your friends!

PAGS Fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse - TONIGHT
Save a night of cooking dinner, and contribute to a great cause!  Texas Roadhouse is holding a fundraiser dinner from 5-10 PM TONIGHT.  Stop in and support a great organization and our fallen hero!  You must bring along a copy of the flier to be able to contribute to the fundraiser - TRS holds a copy of the flier with your receipt when you pay.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Join Senator Judy Schwank at Corps Fitness this Saturday for a blood drive!

  • Remember to check out the CF Loyalty Program and Incentives we announced earlier this month: Earn points, get stuff!
  • The KAAG CHALLENGE is ON!  Let an instructor or Chris know when you want to try your hand at it!  Riley is available for moral support, and Carter is always happy to yell at you to go faster!

  • Please pardon our appearance as we rearrange and perform some spring cleaning!  Lots of great changes are coming, including repurposing the spin room as part IM ABLE office and part kids room (when needed), moving spin to the former kids area.  The former IM ABLE office will become a retail / social area for all CFers.  Thank you for your understanding!

SCHEDULE UPDATES:
- Effective starting NEXT week, we are putting the Wednesday 6:30PM CrossFit class on hold for the spring and summer.  Join in the 5:30PM class to get your CF fix!

- The 7AM Saturday class has been wobbly in attendance for a bit… so we’d like feedback from everyone.  We still want to offer 2 classes on a Saturday, but want to know what works best for our members.  Folks can reply to comments on blog, can reply to comments on FB or send an email to [email protected] as per their choices.  If you have a preference, PLEASE respond….if there are no responses, we will make the change ourselves, but we’d rather here from you!
Saturday class choices:
7:30AM and 9:00AM
8:00AM and 9:15AM
8:15AM and 9:30AM

SPIN / KRANK
A great way to get in some zero-impact mileage, especially on rainy spring days!
Spin 9:30 AM 4/16 – Aimee
Regular spin / krank schedule:
– Tuesdays 10:30 AM with Aimee
– Wednesdays 6:30 PM with Lisa
– Thursdays 6:30 PM with Mike
– Saturdays 9:30 AM with rotating instructors (exceptions will be noted in blog updates / see above)

FREE INTRO CLASSES
Next Intro to Corps Fitness class will be Saturday 4/16 at 9:45 AM with Chris
Intro to CrossFit classes are suspended until further notice

WEEKEND INSTRUCTORS
Friday 5:30 PM – John
Sunday 8:30 AM – Emily
Sunday 9:30 AM – Owen (open time and CrossFit skills)

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CFers are anxiously awaiting Murph this Saturday, and it is a truly awesome workout for an amazing hero gone too soon.  The workout consists of running, pull ups, push ups, squats, and more running.  This mega workout has induced rhabdo-like symptoms before, and all CFers should be aware of the risks associated, how to listen to your body, and when to know that enough is enough.  Please read up on rhabdo, the causes and symptoms, hydration, and know where that tipping point is for you!  The most important part of Saturday is making sure everyone pushes hard for Murph without any injuries!!