The U.S. Navy’s newest warship, the USS Michael Murphy, arrived in Barbados Tuesday on its first international port of call. Led by Ambassador Larry L. Palmer, dozens of sailors ventured out into the community today to help the children of Barbados at the Boscobelle Primary School and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ambassador Palmer and the sailors visited Pediatric Ward C7 to meet with the children and their parents. While there, the sailors donated “Hugs” – stuffed animals that were donated by American citizens.
Delighted students at Boscobelle Primary School in St. Peter greeted Ambassador Palmer and the sailors of the USS Michael Murphy with a performance of Barbadian folk songs.
The sailors spent hours clearing away bush and debris, planting trees provided by the National Conservation Commission, and beautifying the school grounds. The sailors also donated “Hugs” to the students.
These events were organized by the U.S. Embassy through the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Navy in cooperation with our many friends and partners in Barbados. Please see attached photos of these events.
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The USS Michael Murphy, a 510-foot Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, is a multi-mission, guided-missile vessel designed to operate in multi-threat air, surface and sub-surface threat environments.
The boat is named in honor of the late Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military’s highest award, the Medal of Honor for his actions as leader of a Navy SEAL team in Afghanistan.
Lt. Murphy was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan, and the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.
Interested parties can follow the USS Michael Murphy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USSMichaelMurphy.
