NSA Philadelphia Pays Respects to Father of the Navy 217 Years After Death

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class anthony flynn | 200913-N-PE636-0048 PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 13, 2020) Cmdr. A.J. Kruppa, Naval Support Activity Philadelphia's officer-in-charge, renders a salute during an annual wreath-laying ceremony at Commodore John Barry's Old St. Mary's Church gravesite. Barry, the U.S. Navy's first commissioned officer and considered the "Father of the American Navy", died on Sept. 13, 1803. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Flynn/Released)  

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES

09.13.2020

Courtesy Story

Naval Support Activity Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - Sailors assigned to Naval Support Activity Philadelphia participated in an annual wreath-laying ceremony at Old St. Mary’s Church commemorating the 217th anniversary of Commodore John Barry’s death, Sept. 13.

NSA Philadelphia’s Funeral Honors personnel paraded the colors at Barry’s gravesite followed by remarks from Cmdr. A. J. Kruppa, NSA Philadelphia’s officer-in-charge, who touched on some of Barry’s greatest naval accomplishments.

“Barry was one of the brightest and noblest of those to come from the emerald isle,” said Kruppa. “It is only fitting and appropriate that we take time out of our schedules to recognize and honor the gallant mariner who served his nation well, and stands tall in the annals of American naval history.”

Kruppa then joined representatives from local Commodore Barry clubs and divisions in laying wreaths on Barry’s gravesite after a rendition of “Taps” played from across the cemetery.

“Being in the birthplace of our country’s Navy carries along the responsibility of honoring some of our oldest shipmates,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Tatiana Rodriguez, the ceremonies “Taps” player. “It’s the commitment they displayed, and the standard they set all those years ago that makes our Navy the greatest team on the water to date.”

Barry is regarded as “the Father of the American Navy,” being appointed as the U.S. Navy’s first commissioned officer in 1797 by then President George Washington. Barry would remain the head of the Navy until the day he died at his Philadelphia residence in 1803.

For more information on Commodore John Barry visit: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/library/research-guides/z-files/zb-files/zb-files-b/barry-john.html

For more information on NSA Philadelphia visit: https://www.facebook.com/nsaphil/

• Date Taken: 09.13.2020
• Date Posted: 09.29.2020 07:48
• Story ID: 379234
• Location: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, US