General Warren Barry

[NIN]

Sent on behalf of Mr. Don Rowland

Command Council, National Advisory Council, and Corporate Employees,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Former Civil Air Patrol National Commander, Hall of Honor and Life Member, Brigadier General Warren J. Barry.   General Barry served as the Civil Air Patrol National Commander from 1990-1993.   

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult of times.  Details concerning General Barry's funeral service information will be sent out as soon as they become available.

Very Respectfully,

Don Rowland

I met General Barry in 1993 at the GLR conference in Chicago. Then-C/Col Ed Phelka (now Colonel Ed Phelka, about to be the GLR Commander. My oh my how times change!) and I stood in a hallway chatting with the General for a few minutes between the seminars and the banquet.  I think he was the first national commander I ever had a conversation with.   

Ed asked him "Sir, your photo in Civil Air Patrol News has you in Service Dress, but you're in blazer combo here.." (Ed is really good at cutting to the chase, even then!)

"Well, thats the last official photo I had taken.  I'm not in weight standards anymore, and it just wouldn't do to have the national commander violating the very rules he's supposed to be enforcing, don't you think?"

We both agreed and it struck me as the very epitome of leadership by example. 

Finally, one of us said "General, I'm sure you have more important things to do than to stand here talking with us."  and General Barry said "Actually, I quite enjoy these kind of conversations, gentlemen, after a long day at a conference.  I'd rather be here talking to you than anyplace else right now."

That was 22 years ago. Stuck with me, dontchathink?

Fair winds, General. Looking forward to another chat some day, sir.

[Майор Хаткевич]

"Well, thats the last official photo I had taken.  I'm not in weight standards anymore, and it just wouldn't do to have the national commander violating the very rules he's supposed to be enforcing, don't you think?"

Deep.

[a2capt]

Finally, one of us said "General, I'm sure you have more important things to do than to stand here talking with us."  and General Barry said "Actually, I quite enjoy these kind of conversations, gentlemen, after a long day at a conference.  I'd rather be here talking to you than anyplace else right now."

That's one of the best things about most conferences. The hallway impromptu discussions .. and hangar flying into the night..

[Salty]

Sad to read about General Barry's passing.  Even I feel old now because General Barry's signature (with the distinctive X at the end) is on my Mitchell and Earhart Awards.