As Florida Governor Rick Scott stepped lively through the corridor on the first floor of The Jacksonville Landing last April, he was a politician on the way to another speaking engagement in another city. Review the notes, confer with staff and associates, shake an assortment of hands and address a waiting crowd outdoors to complete a hectic schedule.
But first on this Friday, April 15 evening, the new Florida Governor was detoured briefly, taking a quick right into the Adams Class Naval Ship Museum Store. It turned into a pleasurable flashback for Scott.
The Governor smiled broadly as he was greeted by Dan Bean, the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association’s President, and moved to the rear of the store. In full view was a hand-crafted, detailed model of the USS Glover, as prepared by Barry Kryspin, a JHNSA member and Master Modeler. Governor Scott and the State of Florida were presented with the model in honor of the Governor’s Naval service.
“Wow, this is so realistic and brings back so many memories,” Governor Scott said as he gazed over all parts of the ship model and talked about his experiences.
Governor Scott served 29 months on the USS Glover (AGDE-1). His service began in 1971 as a radar man on the Garcia-class frigate.
Kryspin’s handiwork was the centerpiece of three visits with Governor Scott during 2011 – the “unveiling” at the Museum, an “official” visit to Tallahassee in July and the Governor’s speech at the JHNSA Gala in October. In large part, Kryspin’s handiwork was an essential part of getting the Governor to support the Adams movement. The USS Glover model now holds a front-and-center position in the Governor’s Office in Tallahassee. As a result, Kryspin has been selected as the JHNSA “Volunteer of the Year” for 2011.
Kryspin spent 235 hours to build the model, which was donated by Keith Mullen, owner of BaD Models. He started the process in December 2010 and completed it well in advance of the Governor’s first visit to Jacksonville. He was present at all three events where the Governor visited with the JHNSA Board and supporters.
Kryspin served six years in the Naval Air Reserve and has spent much of his non-Naval career as a radio announcer, a sales rep, in the construction business and now volunteering in the Museum Store. His hobbies include rapid response medical assistance, grief counseling, boating, yard work and – quite naturally – building models.