ABOVE: Visitors at the Vermilion County War Museum for the USS Kenneth D. Bailey reunion view a picture and model of the U.S. Navy Destroyer that sailed from 1945 to 1970.
From 1945 to 1970, the USS Kenneth D. Bailey actively sailed for the United States Navy. Many U.S. Navy Veterans who sailed on that destroyer are alive today, and five of them and their families have been in Danville for a special reunion. There was a Thursday ceremony at Springhill Cemetery at Kenneth D. Bailey’s gravesite. Then, Friday morning, the visitors and their families stopped at the Vermilion County War Museum.
Bruce Barricklow came from Ohio. He joined the Navy at age 17, and his time on the USS Kenneth D. Bailey soon followed.
AUDIO: I went to the Bailey in 1962, and served until November of ’64. And I was a Sonarman, Chief Second Class while I was on the Bailey. (Where were you; the Atlantic, the Pacific mostly?) The Atlantic, based out of Mayport, Florida. We made two Mediterranean cruises. I enjoyed it, because they were countries I’ll never get to go to again.
(First two pictures) USS Kenneth D. Bailey Veteran Bruce Barricklow poses with his wife Linda in front of the Kenneth D. Bailey display in the Memorial Room at the Vermilion County War Museum; just moments after sharing some memories with Museum Board President Larry Weatherford.
Barricklow says these reunions get more special each time.
AUDIO: The last reunion, the 27th reunion; was in Houston, Texas. And there were five members there. And we thought that was probably our last. I thought it would be nice to have one more; and what better place to have it than Danville, Illinois?
A Friday evening program at American Legion Post 210 was planned, where the Veterans were to present a check for $4,436 to the Vermilion County War Museum.
