Captain Richard Phillips — whose Somali hijacker-surviving heroics were further immortalized in the popular 2013 film starring Tom Hanks in the titular role – docked into Huntington Harbor on October 9th as the esteemed guest at a most prestigious annual event.
Held at the Oheka Castle, the third Navy SEAL Museum Gala took place in honor of the late Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy of Patchogue, a Medal of Honor recipient slain in the 2005 “Lone Survivor” Afghanistan mission. His harrowing efforts, too, were recreated on the big screen in 2013.
According to the organization, proceeds from their first gala were “instrumental in the completion and grand opening of the Museum. As we continue to enhance the visitor experience and honor the SEAL and broader military community with reverence, your generous support makes it all possible.”
As captain of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship commandeered by pirate adversaries off the East African coast, Phillips demonstrated courageous leadership and perseverance under duress before and through to his dramatic rescue by US Navy SEALs.
The captain has not passed up an opportunity to sing their praises ever since.
Members of SEAL Team 6 were also honored on October 9th, a day that also saw a live display of the Navy SEALs flaunting their rappelling skills as they hovered and landed one of their helicopter aircraft onto the castle’s outdoor premises.
The night culminated with Phillips delivering the “VIP” speech, courtesy of an invitation by Murphy’s parents, Maureen and Dan.
While Oscar-nominated, then-newcomer Barkhad Abdi’s “Look at me—I am the Captain now” serves as the film’s most iconic line, it’s one of Hanks-as-Phillips’ to-the-point remarks given his plight that also carries bottomless weight.
“There’s got to be something other than being a fisherman or kidnapping people,” he said, echoing a sentiment the real Phillips still believes to this day.