For Immediate Release
July 20, 2018
Contact: County Executive Press Office
(631) 853-4000 | Press.Office@suffolkcountyny.gov
VIDEO & RUSH TRANSCRIPT: COUNTY EXECUTIVE BELLONE ANNOUNCES ARREST MADE IN VANDALISM OF LT. MURPHY'S MEMORIAL
County Executive Bellone: “This is another reminder that we must teach every generation of the sacrifice that our men and women in uniform have made in defense of our country. God Bless America and God Bless Lt. Michael P. Murphy.”
Earlier this morning, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced at the Wounded Warrior’s Soldier Ride that the Suffolk County Police Department had made an arrest regarding the act of vandalism at Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park in Lake Ronkonkoma that destroyed a plaque dedicated to Lt. Murphy. Lt. Murphy, a former dedicated Navy Seal and Medal of Honor recipient from Patchogue, died in combat in Afghanistan in 2005.
Video of the County Executive’s remarks is available here.
A rush transcript of the County Executive’s remarks is available below:
You know, I’ve been here every year and there was a chance I wasn’t going to be here and my family’s on vacation upstate, but I had to come down here today.
There was something I saw very disturbing yesterday, I don’t know if anyone saw. One of our American heroes, Lieutenant Michael Murphy, Navy Seal, Medal of Honor recipient, his memorial was vandalized and destroyed just yesterday.
Absolutely outrageous and disgusting. I’m very proud to be wearing this shirt, Michael Murphy, the run around the lake, I’m sure many people around here do that run every year to support our veterans and to honor this American hero.
Well I will tell you this, I want to say a big thank you to the Suffolk County Police Department because last night they caught the individual responsible for doing this, they did some great work.
And unfortunately the individual who was arrested was a minor, these were young people, these were kids in acts of vandalism. Probably didn’t even realize what they were doing, but it’s a reminder for how important it is for us to teach our kids, every generation must learn the lesson, that is people like Michael Murphy and the individuals here on this ride and all the veterans out here who have given us the country we have here today and that is something we must fight to protect every single day in America.
Thank you to our wounded soldiers, thank you to our veterans out there and what you do for our country, god bless you.
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