One of the things I enjoy about being a tour guide is learning about things I’ve passed all my life without knowing what they are.
But after asked enough times on tours when entering town what the ship was at the Navy Yard, I finally learned it’s the U.S.S. John Barry, a retired destroyer now serving as a museum ship. Commissioned from 1955-82, it came to Washington in 1984 so I’ve only not known what it was for 27 years. It’s highlights of service was serving as part of the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis and earning two battle stars during the Vietnam War. It was the third ship named for Barry.
And who was John Barry? Seems he’s the “Father of the American Navy” who served in the Revolutionary War. He was the head of the Navy until his 1803 death.
OK, can knock that off my Bucket List of things to learn. The list never gets shorter, though.
UPDATE: The Barry is leaving May 2, 2016.
