Smyrna will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Capt. Jeff Kuss Memorial Wednesday (Oct. 18) near the Lee Victory Park on Sam Ridley Parkway.
The project has been on the fast track since the city acquired the Blue Angels aircraft - a process that generally takes up to five years.
Retired Admiral Jimmie Taylor will be the special speaker. He helped secure the aircraft. The Stewarts Creek High School Choir will also perform and the Smyrna Fire Department Color Guard will present the colors.
The groundbreaking takes place at 2pm. Again, it will be at the site of the memorial in Lee Victory Park on Sam Ridley Parkway.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
It occurred on June 2, 2016... It is a day that most in Rutherford County will never forget. On that date, a Blue Angel pilot practicing to be in the upcoming Smyrna Air Show crashed. The incident killed Blue Angels pilot Marine Captain Jeff Kuss.
The Memorial:
The United States Navy Blue Angel F/A-18C Hornet that made its way to Smyrna, Tennessee on a flatbed truck May 25, 2017 is currently sitting in a hanger awaiting its final resting place.
The Town of Smyrna is raising funds to build a monument that will suspend the plane in the air near the airport. Once the funds are raised, the jet will be lifted by crane onto the tribute that will forever memorialize #6 Blue Angels pilot Marine Captain Jeff Kuss.
Kuss died just before the Smyrna Air Show while practicing on June 2, 2016. The accident occurred between the Smyrna Airport and the Sam Davis Home.
Exactly one year after the accident, WGNS' Scott Walker spoke to Michelle Sanders with the Smyrna Airport Authority about the memorial for the pilot...
Michelle Sanders is the Administrative Assistant to John R. Black, the Executive Director of the Smyrna Airport Authority.
The Capt. Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial will be located on Sam Ridley Parkway East along the greenway in Lee Victory Recreation Park.
Rear Engine:
The rear engines for the jet were removed so that it can be hoisted into place on the memorial and not weigh as much.
The plane being used for the memorial is a jet that was flying with Kuss when he went down in Smyrna. The tail of the plane was repainted with number 6, which was the number used on his plane. The original number on this plane when it flew in Smyrna with Kuss was number 3.
Donate Now:
To make a donation for the memorial, visit http://www.captjeffkussusmcmemorial.com/
Pavers are also available that will be placed at the memorial site.
