It isn't normal for the content here at Black Shoe Diaries to shift away from football or basketball or sports in general, especially during the month of October, but this deserves mention.

On Saturday, the newest Navy destroyer, the U.S.S. Michael Murphy was commissioned for duty in New York Harbor. It will eventually make its way to Pearl Harbor. The destroyer is named after Penn State alumnus and deceased Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy who gave his life in Afghanistan. While Murphy's unit was under attack in 2005, he threw himself in front of enemy fire so that the rest of his team would be able to radio to base for help. He died because of his wounds and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and courage, the first solder to receive the distinction in the Afghan War.

As part of the Class of 2011, I was lucky enough to vote on and contribute to a memorial on campus that honors the Long Island native and the 1998 Penn State graduate as well as every other veteran who has graduated from Dear Old State.

Obviously, every soldier should get the amount of press that Lt. Murphy has over this past weekend, but we know that isn't possible. But, as Penn Staters, this is a story we can all read and take pride in which is why I'm bringing it to you today. And to all the veterans who read and contribute to Black Shoe Diaries, I would just like to say thank you.