Murphys make military a family business

Magazine Article / March 1, 2012 / Project number: RCAF-EX2012A-14

It was a family affair Jan. 27, 2012 as 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., hosted a swearing-in ceremony for a new Air Reserve member.

“I was choked up; it was moving,” said Master Corporal David Murphy, on daughter Amanda’s decision to join the Royal Canadian Air Force as a reservist. “I didn’t expect her to join the military four years ago, if you’d have asked me, but we’re all behind her.”

That also includes mom, Corpora Deborah Murphy. If you count implicit support from a family that understands what being a part of a military tradition means, the Berwick, N.S., family now can point to four generations of commitment.

David was a reservist himself for four years, before starting a 20-year career in the Regular Force. After retiring, he returned in 2003 as a Reservist and now works in aircraft maintenance.

Deborah joined the Regular Force in 1979, the same year as David; the couple met in the military and later married. She left the CF at one point for one year, but came back to the militia and then the Air Force. She works in 14 Wing Greenwood’s Air Reserve Flight orderly room.

David’s father joined the Royal Canadian Air Force after the Second World War and worked as a radio operator and a navigator. His grandfather joined the British Royal Horse Artillery in 1914, then the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 and, finally, the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1925. David’s uncle earned a Distinguished Flying Cross, presented by King George VI, for his service during the Second World War. “There has been a lot of commitment, yes,” said David. “Amanda knows what that’s like.”

Amanda, 23, finished high school and attended community college in Middleton, N.S., for cosmetology training. She had a son two years ago, graduated last spring and did work in her field for a time.

Amanda was sworn into the Reserve Force at 14 Wing’s headquarters on a Friday, and reported to work the next Monday as a supply technician.

Note: This is an edited version of the original submission.