If you’re into fitness and supporting the veteran community, this workout is for you! This Memorial Weekend enjoy the time you spend with your friends and family but don’t forget what it is truly about. Honoring our fallen comrades is often overlooked and instead, we see another 3 day weekend. The Murph Challenge is a way to support, honor, and enjoy a small piece of your weekend to honor the brave men and woman before us.
Just what is the Murph Challenge? This unique Memorial Day tradition is an intense workout that takes place throughout the United States. It is also linked to the annual fundraiser of the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The challenge may look simple, but it can kick your ass pretty quick! Here is the Murph challenge to complete:
(all of this with a 20lbs vest on!)
Who is LT. Michael Murphy
LT. Michael P. Murphy (SEAL) was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wings, tasked with finding a 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.
Call for the QRF
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.
LT. Murphy fought on, allowing one member of his team (Marcus Luttrell) to escape before he was killed. For his selfless actions, LT. Michael Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 27, 2007. We honor his sacrifice and memory through The Murph Challenge. Find out more about Michael Murphy at the Memorial Foundation created in his name.
How to get Involved
The LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation (501c3) was founded in 2007 by Michael’s parents, Dan and Maureen Murphy, along with Michael’s brother, John. Michael was an avid reader who felt that education was key. In fact, his favorite saying was “Education will set you free”.
The Foundation’s Board began with Family, but now seats nine members consisting of Dan, Maureen, and John Murphy, as well as other close family and friends committed to keeping Michael’s life, service, sacrifice and legacy alive. The Foundation is funded through kind donations and proceeds from The Murph Challenge, a Forged® annual fundraiser.
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