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Authors: Gary Williams
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leader and disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the situation, Lieutenant Murphy’s element bravely engaged the militia, who held both a numerical and positional advantage. The ensuing firefight resulted in numerous enemy personnel killed, with several of the Navy members suffering causalities. Ignoring his injuries and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to attack the enemy, eliminating additional militia fighters, until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. A champion of freedom, Lieutenant Murphy will be remembered for his sacrifice in the continuing Global War on Terrorism. By his bold leadership, exceptional professionalism, and loyal devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy awarded upon recommendation by a general or flag officer.
Next, the Purple Heart, with the following citation:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETINGS:
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HAS AWARDED THE
PURPLE HEART
(Posthumously)
ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
AT NEWBURGH, NEW YORK,
AUGUST 7, 1782 TO
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY
UNITED STATES NAVY
FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION
ON 28 JUNE 2005
The Purple Heart, this nation’s oldest military award, is awarded to any member of the military who is wounded or killed by direct enemy action. Not requiring a recommendation, the wounded or deceased is entitled to it by his action in combat.
Following the presentations, Father Coyle read from Psalms 129-130, followed by St. John 11, and the invitation to the Lord’s Prayer. As Father Coyle stepped back from the casket, the firing party was ordered to attention and all military personnel in uniform saluted. In perfect unison, the seven-man firing party fired three volleys in a twenty-one-gun salute. Although the loud crack of the rifle volleys startled those who had gathered, the military personnel at attention did not move. After the final volley, as the echo and the smoke faded, the firing party was ordered to present arms, while in the distance a single bugler began the haunting notes of “Taps.”
The Meaning of a Folded Flag
At the conclusion of “Taps,” the honor guard began folding Michael’s burial flag. The lower striped section was folded over and the folded edge was folded over again to meet the open edge. A triangular fold was then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. The first triangular fold symbolized life. The outer point was turned inward so that it was parallel with the open edge, forming the second triangle, symbolic of our belief in eternal life. The third fold was made in honor of our veterans who gave their lives in the defense of our country. The fourth fold represented our weaker human nature. The fifth fold was
a tribute to our country, while the sixth stood for where the people’s hearts lie—it is with our hearts that we pledge our allegiance to the flag of the United States. The seventh fold was a tribute to our armed forces. The eighth fold symbolized the tribute to Christ, who entered into the valley of the shadow of death on our behalf, that we might have eternal life. Fold nine was a tribute to all women and mothers, for it was through their faith, love, and loyalty that the character of those who have made this country great has been shaped. The tenth fold was a tribute to our fathers, for they too have given their sons and daughters in defense of their
The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy awarded upon recommendation by a general or flag officer.
Next, the Purple Heart, with the following citation:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETINGS:
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HAS AWARDED THE
PURPLE HEART
(Posthumously)
ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
AT NEWBURGH, NEW YORK,
AUGUST 7, 1782 TO
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY
UNITED STATES NAVY
FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION
ON 28 JUNE 2005
The Purple Heart, this nation’s oldest military award, is awarded to any member of the military who is wounded or killed by direct enemy action. Not requiring a recommendation, the wounded or deceased is entitled to it by his action in combat.
Following the presentations, Father Coyle read from Psalms 129-130, followed by St. John 11, and the invitation to the Lord’s Prayer. As Father Coyle stepped back from the casket, the firing party was ordered to attention and all military personnel in uniform saluted. In perfect unison, the seven-man firing party fired three volleys in a twenty-one-gun salute. Although the loud crack of the rifle volleys startled those who had gathered, the military personnel at attention did not move. After the final volley, as the echo and the smoke faded, the firing party was ordered to present arms, while in the distance a single bugler began the haunting notes of “Taps.”
The Meaning of a Folded Flag
At the conclusion of “Taps,” the honor guard began folding Michael’s burial flag. The lower striped section was folded over and the folded edge was folded over again to meet the open edge. A triangular fold was then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. The first triangular fold symbolized life. The outer point was turned inward so that it was parallel with the open edge, forming the second triangle, symbolic of our belief in eternal life. The third fold was made in honor of our veterans who gave their lives in the defense of our country. The fourth fold represented our weaker human nature. The fifth fold was
a tribute to our country, while the sixth stood for where the people’s hearts lie—it is with our hearts that we pledge our allegiance to the flag of the United States. The seventh fold was a tribute to our armed forces. The eighth fold symbolized the tribute to Christ, who entered into the valley of the shadow of death on our behalf, that we might have eternal life. Fold nine was a tribute to all women and mothers, for it was through their faith, love, and loyalty that the character of those who have made this country great has been shaped. The tenth fold was a tribute to our fathers, for they too have given their sons and daughters in defense of their
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