4 days since I last wrote....but the sadness, grief and yes, still disbelief are with us all day every day.
Last night Captain Kuss returned home to Pensacola in Fat Albert with his wingman accompanying him...#5 Ryan for their final flight together.....a very moving scene as scores of people lined Palafox Street and the beaches. Mark and I were on his boat, Terraphobic as they flew directly over us.
Sooo many, many beautiful pictures and videos online...here is one of them...
https://www.facebook.com/NewsAirshow/videos/1688837921372332/
This was sooo emotional and as someone said along Palafox, "you could hear a pin drop"!
Mark and I walked downtown afterwards and shared a burger at The Tin Cow. Ryan called as we were walking back to the boat and we joined him and several couples at The Vineyard for wine/beer and appetizers. So good to be with these great BA families, We sat outside on a gorgeous eening at this beautiful facility (just opened 1 month ago) with tiny white lights twinkling and shared memories, thoughts and tears of all that's happened since June 2.
To back track a bit....
Last night Captain Kuss returned home to Pensacola in Fat Albert with his wingman accompanying him...#5 Ryan for their final flight together.....a very moving scene as scores of people lined Palafox Street and the beaches. Mark and I were on his boat, Terraphobic as they flew directly over us.
Sooo many, many beautiful pictures and videos online...here is one of them...
https://www.facebook.com/NewsAirshow/videos/1688837921372332/
This was sooo emotional and as someone said along Palafox, "you could hear a pin drop"!
Mark and I walked downtown afterwards and shared a burger at The Tin Cow. Ryan called as we were walking back to the boat and we joined him and several couples at The Vineyard for wine/beer and appetizers. So good to be with these great BA families, We sat outside on a gorgeous eening at this beautiful facility (just opened 1 month ago) with tiny white lights twinkling and shared memories, thoughts and tears of all that's happened since June 2.
To back track a bit....
On Monday, Mark and I visited Jeff's wife Christina and her Mom, Jeff's parents and brother and the darling Kuss children. Christina is truly an inspiration as we sat and talked about last Thursday (she and the children were en route to Smyrna at time of the crash). And Jeff's parents, Janet and Michael and brother Eric are taking it "hour by hour". It was good for all of us to hug, cry and comfort each other. I cannot imagine their grief and pain.
There will be a memorial service on the naval base at 11 on Thursday. Funeral services will be in Durango, CO (Jeff's hometown) at 11 on Saturday.
We are flying from Atlanta to Albuquerque on Friday and then have a 3-hour drive to Durango.
We are flying from Atlanta to Albuquerque on Friday and then have a 3-hour drive to Durango.
Here are a few photos...
Annette shared this pic from Knoxville (after Friday's practice on April 15)
Jeff is chatting with us as I'm holding a sleeping Luke
This photo of #5 and 6 was taken by photographer, Mike Killian in Oracle plane flown by Sean Tucker last Thursday morning, just a few hours before the crash.
Notice the sunbeam burst reflected off Jeff's helmet
In a window in downtown Pensacola
This morning on base..... #6 (Fat Albert) +1-5
Our hearts are heavy as we take it one day at a time and feel the tremendous love and loss for the Kuss family.
Jeff soaring over Pensacola Bay
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