Blue Angel fatality in Tennessee

[Arlo]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/blue-angels-aircraft-crashes-nashville/story?id=39568046&cid=abcn_fb

[briansold]

This is terrible. Two on the same day?

[EskimoJoe]

Two aircraft, one airman, and at least 3 soldiers at Ft. Hood, with possibly more.

It hasn't been a good day.

[Arlo]

Raise your glass for Captain (USMC) Jeff Kuss... the
Blue Angel pilot lost his life today while training for
an airshow in Tennessee. They're already talking about
how his incredible skill kept him from crashing into a
highly populated area.

[Ratsy]

 

My wife asked me why he didn't eject.  She cried when I explained why.

[Ripsnort]

 

[DaveBB]

Witnesses say they saw the plane struggling to climb, then began descending.  It then suddenly dove into the ground.

[Arlo]

Rob Reider just posted this image after attending the honouring memorial for Captain Jeff Kuss today at NAS Pensacola. This picture was taken at the reception in the officers club following the memorial.

Hundreds attended the service, including many former Blue Angels and Navy and Marine Corps officers and all of the officers of the Thunderbirds. The Snowbirds were also represented.

Near the entrance to the memorial was The Missing Man Table

Table: set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one isolated prisoner.

The table is usually set close to, or within sight of, the entrance to the dining room. For large events of the Missing Man Table is set for six places: members of the five armed services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) and a sixth place setting reminiscent of the civilians who died during service alongside the armed forces or missing during armed conflict .
Table is round to represent everlasting concern on the part of the survivors for their missing loved ones.
Single red rose in the vase, signifies the blood that many have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.
Yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.

Slice of lemon on the bread plate: represents the bitter fate of the missing.

Salt sprinkled on the bread plate: symbolic of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

Inverted glass: represents the fact that the missing and fallen cannot partake.

Lit candle: reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.

Empty chair: the missing and fallen aren't present

Rest In Peace Capt Kuss, thank you for your service

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