USS New York Sailors and Marines participate in Memorial Day ‘Murph’

Photo By Amanda E Cabasos | 150524-N-XN499-033 RED SEA (May 26, 2015) Sailors assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), and Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participate in the “Hero Workout”, known as the “Murph Challenge.” New York is a part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 24th MEU, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda E. Cabasos/Released)  

USS NEW YORK, RED SEA

05.28.2015

Courtesy Story

USS NEW YORK (LPD 21)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Cabasos, USS New York Public Affairs

RED SEA--At the crack of dawn, more than 100 Sailors and Marines from the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) kicked off Memorial Day by gathering on the New York’s flight deck to participate in the “Hero Workout,” known as the “Murph Challenge,” May 24, 2015.

Prior to the event, participants assembled around Gunnery Sgt. Louis Pope, a Mobile, Alabama, native assigned to the 24th MEU, for a brief. Pope read the Medal of Honor citation for Lt. Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL who was killed in action in Afghanistan.

“The reason why this event is so important to me is that we wanted to memorialize those who fought before us,” said Pope, a reconnaissance Marine with the MEU’s Maritime Raid Force, sourced from Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. “Many of us had friends and family members that have fought over this last decade defending our freedom and we want to honor and remember them in any way we can. We are coming out here shedding a little sweat and tears, so we can honor those who have gone before us.”

The one-round-for-time Murph Challenge consists of a one mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, followed by an additional mile. The prescribed method of the workout included a 35-pound weight vest or kit, which is not mandatory for those who have never participated in the challenge.

Sailors and Marines participated in the workout for various reasons.

“I partook in this event for two reasons,” said New York Command Master Chief Shawn Isbell, from Cleveland, Ohio. “One reason is to continue the brotherhood and sisterhood we have between the MEU and the New York. We are real close teams. Events like this bring us together. The other reason is to observe Memorial Day in our own way. It’s about honoring those who went before us and made a sacrifice to defend our freedom. Coming out here this way is real special, especially while we are on deployment.”

Some service members enjoy physical challenges.

“This is my favorite workout,” said Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Berry, a Kansas City, Missouri, native. “And I love to workout. The most challenging part of the Murph workout for me is the 100 pull-ups.”

The Murph Challenge was created to honor Murphy, the fallen Navy SEAL from Patchogue, New York, who received a Medal of Honor for his heroic and courageous efforts leading a four-man SEAL reconnaissance unit against Taliban forces in Afghanistan. He was killed in action June 28th, 2005 and was part of the group made famous by the book and movie, “Lone Survivor.” The workout was considered one of his favorites and he named it “Body Armor.”

USS New York is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

• Date Taken: 05.28.2015
• Date Posted: 05.28.2015 04:12
• Story ID: 164764
• Location: USS NEW YORK, RED SEA