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A Fallen Angel Returns
June 8, 2016
The remains of a fallen Blue Angel were flown back to Pensacola Tuesday aboard Fat Albert with a Blue Angel jet escort.
Fat Albert, flying under the call sign “Blue Angel 6″, and Lead Solo Lt. Ryan Chamberlain flew over downtown Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key as thousands paid tribute to Capt. Jeff Kuss, who was killed in the crash of his Blue Angel jet in Smyra, TN.
A public candlelight vigil will be held for Kuss this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Pensacola. The public is invited to gather with candles and American flags to pay tribute to the fallen pilot. Six minutes of silence will be observed as Kuss was the pilot of plane number six.
Kuss’ body is expected to be transported to his hometown of Durango, CO, for burial.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Just prior to Tuesday’s flyover, Blue Angels Commanding Officer Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi released the following statement:
Good afternoon to all of the Blue Angels friends and supporters in Pensacola, Florida.
Presently, our number six pilot, the Opposing Solo, Capt. Jeff Kuss, is returning to Pensacola aboard Fat Albert, where he will be reunited with his family, friends, teammates, and the Pensacola community. Jeff absolutely loved our Sunday evening arrivals. Flying in over downtown, “smokin’ the beach” from Pensacola to Perdido, and then the hitting the Delta Pitch Up Break at sunset into Naval Air Station Pensacola. The smile I would see radiating under that gold visor was truly spectacular. It emanated the pride, passion, and pure joy that he felt representing the Navy and Marine Corps, flying Blue Angel 6.
Tonight, I hope you will join the team in saluting him as he flies that special route home to Pensacola again. He is flying in Fat Albert – callsign “Blue Angel 6”, and escorted by the Lead Solo, in Blue Angel 5.
As Jeff’s family and the Blue Angels have navigated this immensely difficult time, a constant gift has been the unwavering support from our hometown of Pensacola, and from all across this great nation.
This great city, and also this great nation has lost a Blue Angel. We are all grieving this tremendous loss, and inspired by the life he lived so incredibly well.
Our number one priority now is to assist the Kuss family in honoring Jeff and returning him to Durango, Colorado, where he will be surrounded by his beautiful family. We thank you for your continuous support, and will honor Jeff with you at the Candlelight Vigil.
When you see the Solos overhead tonight, please send him your thoughts, prayers, and a Semper Fi. ~Boss
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditto Gorme and Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “A Fallen Angel Returns”
Whenever we lose one of our fine military members it is a crushing blow to the entire nation.
To Captain Kuss Family and friends I am truly sorry for your loss he will be greatly
miss. I salute you Captain Kuss for your service and sacrifice to our great nation. Thank you.
If only our nation would honor the fallen soldiers, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard as a tribute to their dedication and patriotic sacrifice.
This tribute is so fitting, especially here in Pensacola and in Tennessee. God bless his parents and family.
I’m reminded of this:
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, –and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of –Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew –
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Prayers for the family and his “buddies” he flew with. God bless all.
My husband was in the Army; my son is in the Navy. I worried for my husband as I now worry for my son. I can only imagine the loss his family and teammates are going through. My thoughts are with you all. Fly high Capt. Kuss!
What a heart touching and beautiful tribute to Capt. Kuss. My thoughts are with his family and teammates. Fly high, sir.
I could not be more proud of my city!! Pensacola will greatly miss Capt. Kuss! My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Fly to Jesus Capt. Kuss! You will be missed!!
Our prayers are with the Kuss Family. May God bless!