Opening ceremony for Lt. Michael Murphy Navy SEAL Museum

The Lt. Michael Murphy Navy SEAL Museum held a sun-drenched grand opening ceremony complete with Navy Leap Frogs in the sky of West Sayville, NY, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 — 17 years to the day that Murphy made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. 

Built next door to the Long Island Maritime Museum, the new Navy SEAL Museum is designed to make personal and emotional connections to our Special Warfare Operators, to explain the ideals and values that govern the SEAL Community, and to illustrate the costs of freedom. 

The museum is named for Long Island native Michael Murphy, who turned down law school to become a U.S. Navy SEAL. Murphy was killed in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom after he fought his way into open space to get a signal so he could call for backup in an effort to save the other members of his four-man team. For his heroic service, Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military honor. His story is partially told in the movie Lone Survivor. 

That lone survivor, Marcus Luttrell, told the crowd of about a thousand people that “Murph” would have been humbled by the museum. “I think out of that tragedy came new life,” Luttrell said. 

Murphy’s father, Daniel Murphy, said the museum is “really a tribute to our Navy SEALs, our special operators who are out there every day, even now, protecting us.” 

And in a videotaped message, former President George W. Bush said, “I’m pleased that his values, his sacrifice, and his story will live here forever.” 

The Lt. Michael Murphy Navy SEAL Museum took more than $2 million in donations and several years to complete. The signage is illuminated with Armor Series Mini Linear fixtures, proudly donated by Acolyte. We are honored to be listed in the “Heart of the Museum” display. Thank you to the Weltmann Lighting team for making us a part of this special project and for seeing it through to successful completion.