Smyrna, TN – This past Sunday, juveniles were reportedly seen climbing onto the Blue Angels jet that serves as a memorial for Captain Jeff Kuss, the pilot tragically killed in a crash during a practice run for The Great Tennessee Air Show in 2016. Concern quickly spread that the memorial, a deeply cherished tribute in Smyrna, could have been damaged or vandalized. However, after looking over the plane on Monday, Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed confirmed, “When we inspected the plane yesterday, we did not see any damage.”
The incident was captured by a concerned citizen who witnessed and photographed a group of what appeared to be three teens standing on the rear wings of the jet and climbing onto the top of the engines. Additional photos showed at least two other teens, as well as three younger children, aged approximately 4 to 7, near the aircraft.
The memorial, an F/A-18 Hornet, stands as a tribute to Captain Kuss, a US Marine and Blue Angels pilot who tragically lost his life on June 2, 2016, during a practice run at the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport. The plane is a symbol of honor for Kuss, whose values of discipline and service resonate deeply with the community. Residents raised $1.4 million to construct the memorial, which was unveiled in 2018, two years after his death.
Captain Kuss left behind a wife, Christina Kuss, and two young children. Following her husband’s death, Christina expressed her gratitude to the people of Tennessee, saying, “…the outpouring of support from the people of Tennessee has been profoundly humbling.” Regarding the memorial, she said, “This memorial is a wonderful tribute to Jeff’s life and distinguished service.”
Mayor Reed has urged anyone with information regarding the juveniles involved to contact Smyrna officials at 615-267-5005, as the community continues to respect and protect the tribute to a fallen hero.
