Thousands of Long Islanders came together Saturday to honor a Long Island hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Participants gathered in Lake Ronkonkoma for a 4-mile run to honor fallen Navy SEAL Michael Murphy

The 29-year-old lieutenant from Patchogue was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2005. Two years later, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Murphy’s story was portrayed in the Hollywood film, “Lone Survivor.”

Organizers say more than 6,000 turned out for Saturday’s event. Many of the participants wore military fatigues, while others carried American flags.

People tell News 12 they're proud to be part of this event, keeping Lt. Murphy's legacy alive.

“This is such an honor. What I'd like to remind people is that it's not just about Michael, it's about all our fallen heroes,” says Daniel Murphy, Michael Murphy’s father. “And while Michael might be a symbol for people, I think when they come out here they're honoring Michael, his teammates and all our foreign heroes and the sacrifices they made to keep us safe.”

The money raised is going to support veterans’ charities. Race organizers say they collected more than $150,000.