Special thanks to Rob and all the staff at Ruvo Port Jefferson for donating the venue and food for a wonderful evening honoring our local heroes and first responders. The food was delicious and the bartenders were quick! (important when so many Irish are in attendance) An enjoyable evening for a good cause!
Thank you to Newsday reporter Brittany Wait for her write up in Newsday - 5/24/2012 - find Brittany on twitter @brittanywait| @LI_Now
First responders Owen and Jimmy O’Callaghan know firsthand what search and rescue dogs were subjected to after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. They remember fastening protective shoes to the dogs' paws so they wouldn’t get burned. The twin brothers, who worked for the 13th police precinct in Manhattan at the time and later became New York City firemen, were also longtime friends of Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL who was awarded a Medal of Honor after he was killed in 2005 in Afghanistan.
On Wednesday night the Rocky Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6249 held a joint fundraiser with the USS Michael Murphy Commissioning Committee. The event brought 100 people to Ruvo Restaurant & Bar in Port Jefferson and raised $2,100. The funds will be split between the committee and Post 6249, which is adding a statue of a German shepherd search and rescue dog to its 9/11 memorial. The memorial was unveiled at Diamond in the Pines park in Coram during last year’s 10th anniversary of 9/11. The dog statue project is estimated to cost $15,000.
“It will be a good addition to the park,” said Rich Acritelli, a member of Post 6249. “There’s not many of those around. It'll make an already very strong memorial that much stronger to remember.” Post 6249 plans to have an unveiling ceremony for the statue on Sept. 8 at 11 a.m.
The O’Callaghan brothers had been best friends with Murphy since they were all lifeguards at Lake Ronkonkoma Beach as teenagers. A year after the Twin Towers were attacked, Owen O’Callaghan became a New York City firefighter in Spanish Harlem’s Engine 53 Ladder 43, also known as “El Barrio’s Bravest.”
“When Michael was killed he was wearing a patch from our firehouse,” said Owen O’Callaghan, 33, of Mount Sinai. “He gave out patches to his unit to remind them of 9/11 and what they were there fighting for.”
Murphy’s father Daniel, mother Maureen and brother John were among the guests Wednesday. "These fundraisers not only support the families of the crew, but also will recognize what 9/11 first responders and dogs did,” said Daniel Murphy, of Wading River. “This is going to help.” Post 6259 plans to install lights on the brick walkway at the memorial that will have engraved names and messages purchased by families who have lost loved ones during the attacks or in war. A number of benches will surround the statue.
Former New York Yankee Frank Tepedino, who signed autographs for guests Wednesday, was working for the FDNY’s Fire Patrol division at the time of the attacks on the World Trade Center. “It’s not that it’s all going to be forgotten, but it’s like World War I, World War II, something new occurs and memories are lost,” said Tepedino, 64, of St. James. “This is a place people can go and say a prayer for those lost and reflect on past tragedies.”
Maureen Murphy said her son was humble and never wanted to be the center of attention, but he would have liked this event. “It’s nice to see people come out for this,” said Murphy, of Patchogue. “Actually, this would be his thing, to go to a bar with his friends at this small setting.”
The following photos are credited to Brittany Wait of Newsday:
Michael Murphy's best friends, Owen & Jimmy O'Callaghan with Michael's younger brother John.
Michael Murphy's father Dan, brother John and mother Maureen.
Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Rocky Point VFW 6249 Commander Joe Cognitore
RP VFW Post 6249 Commander Joe Cognitore manning the door at Ruvo's
a few of the many donated raffle items up for grabs
freedom is not free
Tommy Sullivan of Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge graciously donated his musical talents to the evening's event.
Michael Murphy McIntire with his mother Sarah (and father Jesse) made the trip from Connecticut
All photos following by Sarah & Jesse McIntire:
Maureen Murphy holding her son's namesake, 9 month old cutie Michael Murphy McIntire
John Murphy, Jimmy O'Callaghan, Michael Murphy McIntire, Sarah McIntire, and Owen O'Callaghan
Dan Murphy holding Michael Murphy McIntire
John Murphy and baby Michael
Gerald Slater (artist of Lt Michael Murphy's portrait in oil on canvas hanging in the Patchogue Post Office) with Michael & Sarah McIntire
Photo by me:
John Murphy, Maureen Murphy and some of Long Island's finest
Many thanks to just some of the donors that supported our event with items for the raffle:
Artist Gerald Slater - prints of Lt Michael Murphy's portait
Artist Fred Stone - Signed print of "Partners"
Navy SEALs & Authors Marcus Luttrell, Brandon Webb, Chris Kyle, Howard Wasdin (&Stephen Templin) for signed copies of their books
Author Nona Kilgore Bauer - signed copy of Dog Heroes of September 11
Mr Daniel Murphy for donating a signed first edition of SEAL of Honor and a USS Michael Murphy print by artist Peter Hsu
Bandito Brothers for the Act of Valor signed posters, DVDs and Blu-Rays
Ranger Up Military tshirts
Jesse & Sarah McIntire for the IPAD3
David Peabody, DEFENSE STANDARD for copies of the USS Michael Murphy Christening Publication
The Lt Michael Murphy Scholarship Foundation - for the Michael Murphy challenge coins and Operation Red Wings patches
Petco Rocky Point and Brian's Aquarium and Pets for gift certificates and dog items
Many gift certificates from local merchants - The Cooperage Inn, Wading River Pizza, Wading River Deli, The Greek Diner in Wading River, Great Rock Golf Course, Calverton Links, and many, many more. Please shop local!
Thank you to US Congressman Tim Bishop, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh and Town of Brookhaven Veterans Services Officer, John Rago and Raymond Negron for coming down to Ruvo's in support.
Thank you to the USS Michael Murphy Commissioning Committee members Dan Wynn, Tom Matteo, Owen Watford, Gary Veritucci and Chairman Jim White for their attendance, especially on the first day of Fleet Week in NYC~ More info on the commissioning is available at http://www.ussmichaelmurphy.org/
More info on the September 11th Memorial at Diamond in the Pines Park in Coram and the tremendous effort by Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 to accomplish this tribute available at http://vfw6249.org/
And finally, thank you to my family & friends for always supporting my fundraisers! - Jo
Please take time to honor the fallen this Memorial Day - "Decoration Day" is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
