In Memory Of Lieutenant Michael Murphy, US Navy

Lt. Michael P. Murphy, fondly referred to by friends and family as 'Murph,' was born May 7, 1976 in Smithtown, N.Y. and grew up in the New York City commuter town of Patchogue, N.Y. on Long Island.

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.

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 Marcus Luttrell and the recovery of the remains of the three who were killed in the battle.

Lt. Michael P. Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on October 22, 2007. A presentation ceremony was held at the White House, where President George W. Bush presented Murphy's Medal of Honor to his parents.

Lt. Murphy was buried at Calverton National Cemetery less than 20 miles from his childhood home. Lt. Murphy's other personal awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal.

In Memory of Corporal Christopher George Scherer, USMC

Christopher George Scherer, was born on June 29, 1986 and was raised in the town of East Northport, NY. A fun loving and energetic boy, he played soccer, baseball, lacrosse and was also a member of Boy Scout Troop 52. He was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 17. Chris played two years of Varsity Lacrosse at Northport High School and graduated in June of 2004. One month later he was on his way to Parris Island, SC for a thirteen week job interview. He successfully completed boot camp and, on November 5, 2004, he earned the coveted title of United States Marine.

He completed his infantry and combat engineer training at Camp Lejeune in spring of 2005 and was then stationed at Camp Fuji, Japan until spring of 2006. He returned to the United States and spent the next year honing his Combat Engineer Skills at Camp Pendleton, Ca. On April 11th, 2007 Chris and his fellow Marines of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division shipped out on the 13th MEU as part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. The MEU stopped in Guam and Singapore before arriving in Kuwait. There, Chris's platoon trained for several weeks before they were sent to Iraq. While training in Kuwait, Chris earned the rank of Corporal on his mother's birthday, June 1st. On July 21, 2007 in the province of Al Anbar, Iraq, Chris lost his life serving the Country he loved. He was felled by a single bullet from the gun of an enemy sniper.

When Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Sinclair spoke at Chris's funeral he said the following: Chris's platoon commander called him the most likable marine in the platoon, no one griped or had a bad day if Cpl Scherer had anything to say about it. Lieutenant Douglas Orr told me that though the living conditions in the field have been harsh over the past two months, and the marines have been working and fighting in 120 degree temperatures while wearing body armor and carrying ammunition, weapons, water, and equipment that typically weighs over 70 pounds for each marine, he never heard Chris complain or even question their circumstances - not once. Not ever.

Lt Col Sinclair further stated: Lt Orr also shared with me some of the unique traits that Chris' mates will forever remember him for. For starters, there was his sense of humor - paradoxically at its best when stress and privation were highest. Most notably, he had an uncanny ability to lift spirits with his voice impressions. He was a superb mimic of more actor's voices and accents than anyone could count. One of his favorites was that from the movie Jaws, "Captain, I think you better get a bigger boat." He would often say this when things got particularly rough.

It was comforting knowing that even on the battlefield Chris exemplified the positive characteristics we saw in him everyday as a son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement regarding Chris's death. The death of Corporal Christopher Scherer is a tremendous loss to our nation. Maria and I, along with all Californians, mourn the loss of this brave individual and express our sincere gratitude for his selfless service in defense of our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of grief.
Although we miss him terribly, we without question support his decision to join the Marine Corps to defend our countries freedoms and we urge all of you to support the rest of our Armed Forces who are doing the same.

For more information please see http://www.cplchris.com/

In Memory of First Lieutenant Michael LiCalzi, USMC

Mike was 24 years old and had only been in Iraq for six weeks when he died for our country.  He was assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division and was responsible for his platoon of  four tanks.  It happened when the M1A1 Battle Tank in which he and three other Marines were traveling flipped off a bridge into a canal in Al Anbar province, Iraq.  All four of the young Marines in the tank drowned.  Also killed were Cpl. Steve Vahaviolos, 21, of Airmont, N.Y., Rockland County; Lance Cpl. Jason K. Burnett, 20, of St. Cloud, Fla.; and Lance Cpl. David J. Grames Sanchez, 22, of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Mike was born on Long Island, New York on April 11, 1982.  He grew up in Garden City and attended Chaminade High School, Class of 2000, where he was a member of the track, cross country and crew teams.  From the earliest days of his childhood, Mike knew that he wanted to be a Marine.  Following an arduous admissions process he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in May 2004.  At the Academy he was a model student, courageous boxer and active leader of the 30th Company where he developed strong and lasting friendships

Mike was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the USMC at graduation. He completed The Basic School at Quantico, Va., before graduating as Class Honorman at the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, Ky., in July 2005. He took command of 1st Platoon, A Company after joining 2nd Tank Battalion. He led his Marines through several company and battalion level exercises to prepare them for their deployment with RCT-5 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed to Iraq, he led his Marines on numerous independent operations. Among his awards for service are the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Medal.

Mike was an honest, ethical, modest, diligent and hardworking student and Marine.  He was exceptionally loyal and fiercely dedicated to his family, friends and the Corps.  Above all, he was an honorable man.

For more information please see http://aceintheholefoundation.googlepages.com/home

Nathan B. Bruckenthal lost his life while serving his country. He was 24 years old. His heroism stemmed from a long history of sense of service in his short life.

Nathan was born on July 17, 1979 and grew up in Stony Brook, New York. This sense of service was instilled in Nate at a very young age. He joined the Junior ROTC while attending high school in Herndon, VA. He was later a member of the Ridgefield Connecticut Volunteer Fire Department. He moved back to Long Island and subsequently joined the Coast Guard in 1998. 

His first duty station was on the Coast Guard Cutter Point Wells based in Montauk, NY. During his service on that cutter he awarded the USCG Pistol Marksman Ribbon, USCG Rifle Marksman Ribbon and he received a Unit Commendation Award. Later he requested and was sent to Yorktown, VA, for training as a damage control officer. This led to his next assignment in Neah Bay, Washington. 

It was there at Neah Bay he met his wife Pattie Bruckenthal nee Rombo. The station was located on the Makah Indian reservation. There, Nathan volunteered as a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, and assistant high school football coach on the reservation. During his tenure in Washington he received the Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon.

His decision to extend his enlistment was based on his desire to continue to serve his country in an even more challenging position in the Coast Guard. He was accepted to the elite tactical law enforcement program and assigned to Taclet South, housed at the Coast Guard?s Miami Air Station.

He was recognized as a leader by his commanding officers and received numerous awards for drug extradition operations in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific including the National Defense Service Medal, Coast Guard Merit Team Commendation and the Global War on Terrorism Medal with oak leaf.

Because of his unique skills and abilities he was chosen to be among the first Coast Guardsmen deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2003. While there he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon for action in and around the port of Um Qasar. 

In March 2004, at the request of his command staff, he volunteered for a second deployment to Iraq. Only weeks after discovering that his wife was carrying his unborn child, Nathan Bruckenthal and two U.S. Navy sailors were killed when a suicide bomber attacked their rigid hull inflatable boat. Nathan had been chosen to become a part of the Taclet?s training unit and his job that afternoon was to instruct navy personnel how to conduct maritime intercept operations. The team observed a suspicious vessel, which did not heed their commands. The team intercepted the vessel. This selfless act of courage protected the sailors aboard the U.S.S. Firebolt, the off-shore oil platform and the oil terminal itself at Khawr Al Amaya, in the northern Arabian Gulf. For this action, Nathan was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with oak leaf, and his second Combat Action Ribbon. He was laid to rest with many of America?s best at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Nathan Bruckenthal will always be remembered for his kindness to others, sense of humor, devotion to his family, and service to his country. Nathan?s daughter, Harper Natalie was born on November 19, 2004. Pattie and Harper moved to Ashburn, Virginia. Pattie is attending nursing school at George Mason University. It is her desire to serve in a military or veterans? hospital?in a small way she can give back to all those who have helped her and Harper.

Nate has been remembered in many ways. The barracks at Station Montauk, where he first served, have been renamed Bruckenthal Hall; Nate?s Open Door Baby Pantry & Exchange, is a not-for-profit baby pantry that assists military and civilian employees who work in the greater Baltimore area; Taclet South has permanently placed a plaque bearing his likeness at their facility; his brothers spearheaded a community service project while serving in their local junior fire department and an Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom monument honoring those who served now stands in Northport: it too bears his likeness. Three coins have been minted acknowledging his sacrifice. The Crescent City California U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps has honored Nate by naming its division after him. In January 2009, the Surface Navy Association added Nate?s name to their Hall of Fame. These are just a few of the testaments to Nate. But his greatest legacy is his daughter, Harper. We are so fortunate to have a little piece of Nate within her.

When Nate first died a fund was established to ensure Pattie and Harper would be cared for and that they both could be granted a higher education. Because of the generosity of so many, the Fund has been able to assist worthy causes in Nate?s name with some of its resources, including the Coast Guard Foundation, the Wounded Warriors Project, Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center, and Nate?s Open Door, just to name a few.

Nathan B. Bruckenthal July 17, 1979 ? April 24, 2004

In Memory of Sergeant Anthony Mangano, New York Army National Guard

Sgt. Anthony Mangano was killed in Afghanistan on June 21, 2008, outside Kandahar, when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device and then came under enemy fire. Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of South Ozone Park, Queens; Spc. Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez, 22, of Revere, Mass.; and Lt. Col. James Walton, 41, of Rockville, Md. were also killed.

Sgt. Anthony Mangano was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry of the New York Army National Guard, based out of Geneva, N.Y. Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, chose to re-enlist last year after first serving in the Guard back in 1991.

"This was my choice to go fight and die in the name of the United States of America, to defend the greatest country in the world," Mangano wrote before he died.

On June 30, 2008, more than 200 relatives, friends and military members gathered at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn for a military ceremony to remember Mangano, who was the 36th Long Islander killed in action in Afghanistan or Iraq.

 In Honor Of Corporal Christopher Levi, US Army

Christopher Levi was born March 12, 1983 in Charleston, South Carolina weighing in at 9 pounds ten and a half ounces. He was born the happiest smiley kid who was constantly cracking jokes and making everyone around him laugh. He would do almost anything to get a laugh out of you. Two years younger than his oldest sister he was extremely protective of her. A few years later his second sister Emily came along and Christopher decided he was going to take part in protecting not only his family but his entire country.

He left home at the young age of 14 and attended New York Military Academy. He graduated from the academy and went on to attend college in Albany. Christopher had always intended on joining the military after he finished college. However after the tragedy of 9/11 Christopher could no longer bear that he was not serving his country in it's time of need. He dropped out of college and joined the army. He didn't tell his friends or family that he was doing so until he was enlisted to ensure that they could not talk him out of it.

Christopher took his service to his country one step further and became Ranger qualified, guaranteeing that he could do anything that the Army needed him to do. Christopher served a tour of duty in Afghanistan and then was redeployed to Iraq in November of 2007. Christopher has always been an amazing, strong, and dedicated person and has never thought twice about doing whatever the Army needed from him.

On March 21, 2008, Christopher was injured when an exploding device hit the humvee he was riding in. His injuries were extensive including the loss of both of his legs and serious damage to his right arm. He has been fighting to get through recovery however he knows it is going to be a long and hard road.

Levi's family and friends, along with the Holbrook Fire Dept and many donors raised the costs of renovating Levi's home - an estimated $100,000 job - so that it is handicap accessible upon his return. The entire Holbrook community turned out to greet Chris for his homecoming from Walter Reed Medical Center to Long Island on May 16, 2009. Chris still faces many adjustments, but with the love and support of a community behind him, he will succeed.

To find out more about Corporal Christopher Levi, or to make a donation, visit www.myspace.com/chrislevi_support