American Flag To Make Journey From Suffolk County To Hawaii For Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

EAST NORTHPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An American flag is making a special journey across Suffolk County on Tuesday before it is flown to Hawaii next week.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone was joined by Gold Star families as the flag was raised at 15 different locations, including Calverton National Cemetery and MacArthur Airport.

"We're traveling around Suffolk County and raising an American flag on veterans' memorials in all 10 towns in honor of Lt. Michael Murphy who was killed serving our country... and to all veterans who served in Suffolk County," Bellone said. "The sacrifices made by these individuals it's a sacrifice for the whole family because then they lose their loved one, it's something they live with forever."

Bellone will present the flag to the captain of the USS Michael Murphy next week as part of the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The 510-foot destroyer is named after a fallen Navy SEAL from Long Island. Murphy, of Patchogue, became the first American awarded the Medal of Honor during the Afghanistan War, when he was killed along with two fellow SEALs during an ambush in 2005. He was 29.

Bellone said the flag is a gift on behalf of all the people of Suffolk County in honor of all our veterans.