Posted by Jeanette McMahon on January 15, 2005:

I'm writing this personal Eulogy at the request of Amy, Barry's daughter, who would be around 16 years old now, according to her Eulogy. I happened to be reading eulogies because my husband was just killed in action in Afghanistan and I know how great it is to read about your loved one from someone elses point of view. Amy - Barry was in my beast squad at West Point, our first summer there - we had the biggest squad in the whole Corps - there were 13 of us who started on R-Day on 2 July 1979. None of us in the squad knew Barry when he was sick, we knew him as a very strong and kind young man. He was the tallest of our group and I remember he sometimes got singled out by the upper class cadets because of that. He always took the hazing in stride and you could almost see the smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. He was also beautiful, which is an odd thing to say for a guy, but he really was much more than handsome. Young and full of life and spirit, he had perfectly chisled features and a warm smile. He always was the quiet one who helped out in the background. It was a busy summer and before we knew it we were starting school and in different companies all across the Corps. I only occasionaly saw him after beast, but I'm going to ask a few of my classmates who were on the ski team, and in our squad to add to this memorium. As surely as I know my husband Mike (Class of '85) is up there surfing the choicest waves, I know Barry is skiing the best slopes in heaven! Best of luck to you Amy and you can be so very proud of your Dad who chose to serve his country and did so with honor and distinction! God Bless, LTC Jeanette M. McMahon

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