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NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Less than six months after a medallion that honored the life of Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Michael P. Murphy was vandalized, the Town of Brookhaven installed a new one that's bigger and better.
Peter Marmorato's late father made the original plaque which for years sat at Lake Ronkonkoma park. It was broken into pieces by a group of teens in July.
The Marmarato family didn't think twice before making the new one.
"It's three and a half inch thick, black absolute granite which is one of the most dense stones in the world," said Marmorato. "Lt. Michael Murphy gave the ultimate sacrifice and this was the least we could do."
The Navy SEAL's heroism was portrayed in the film "The Lone Survivor." According to the Navy, he was killed by enemy fighters in Afghanistan while trying to protect his team back in 2005.
While it has the same inscription and picture as the original one, they say this time, the nearly 700 pound plaque is indestructible, like Michael's memory.
"I just want Michael to be remembered as a citizen of Suffolk County, citizen of America and someone who took it upon himself to be there to protect all of us and willing to lay down his life to keep us safe," said his father Daniel Murphy.
The Town of Brookhaven put up security cameras to closely monitor the park with the Suffolk County Police Department. New lighting will also be installed this spring.
"It's so nice Michael is still remembered," said his mom, Maureen Murphy.
Memorialized in stone but forever remembered in our hearts.