Memorial dedicated to Capt. Jeff Kuss
“I’ve seen a lot of crashes, but this one took me off guard. It was horrible. My wife, Marie, started to cry and I got a lump in my throat.” — WORLD WAR II VETERAN VINNY POLLIZOTTO
SMYRNA, Tenn. — Choking back tears, Christina Kuss took a deep breath as she surveyed the immense crowd assembled Saturday morning to honor the memory of her late husband, Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss.
“Wow, this is extraordinary. Thank you all for being here,” Christina Kuss said as she stood in front of the hundreds gathered at Lee Victory Park for the dedication ceremony of the Capt. Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial.
The Blue Angel F/A18C Hornet that serves as the centerpiece of the Kuss Memorial is similar to the jet flown by the Marines and on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
“This memorial has been created and I’m awestruck every time I let it resonate. You all loved him so much. Thank you. You grieve for me and my babies. Thank you,” said Christina Kuss, who attended the ceremony with her husband’s parents, Janet and Michael Kuss, and the Marine’s brother, Eric Kuss.
Jeff Kuss’ plane crashed June 2, 2016, during a practice run for the Great Tennessee Air Show. Over the past two years, a committee formulated plans to erect a memorial in honor of Kuss and raised $1.4 million to complete the project.
Saturday served as the official unveiling and dedication.
‘HE WAS OUR EVERYTHING’
As a smile spread across her face, Christina Kuss said her husband — who left behind two children, Sloan and Calvin — was their “sense of joy” and “made life fun.”
“He gave us a great sense of peace and protection. He was our pillar of strength and our soft place to land,” Christina Kuss said, pausing, “he was our everything.”
She said her husband talked with her about death the night before his fatal crash in Smyrna.
“Jeff, with tears in his eyes … told me, ‘I don’t ever want to leave you guys,’” Christina Kuss said as her voice gave way to tears.
Although Christina Kuss has “struggled in the depths” of her soul about her husband’s death, she’s found comfort in the support of Smyrna’s residents.
“I carry you in my heart. You have filled my life with hope and promises of a bright future, and I love you all,” Christina Kuss said, “and it’s my hope today to spread the ‘Jeff joy’ of life and service to others.”
Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed opened the ceremony and said the community has come “full circle” with the memorial.
“We’re back here in the same spot [where a vigil took place after Kuss’ death]. But today we’re here to celebrate the life and service of Capt. Jeff Kuss,” Reed said.
Shortly after the ceremony began, Kuss’ Marine Corps squadron performed a missing man formation as they flew over the crowd, the roar of their jets echoing in the sky long after the pass.
Capt. Ryan Bernacchi, who flew with Kuss, said he never dreamed he’d return to the place where he lost his fellow Blue Angel. But, in spite of those emotions, Bernacchi considered himself “immensely humbled and blessed” to be present at the dedication.
“Today I endeavor to be here, not in sadness, but in celebration to honor … the life and legacy of our No. 6. And again, to celebrate you all, the town of Smyrna, for your enduring support, vision and generosity, and the love you put into building this very special place,” Bernacchi said.
SUPPORT OF SMYRNA CITIZENS
While those closest to Kuss were able to attend and participate in the dedication, there were others who simply connected with the late pilot and wanted to be there — some who bore witness to the crash and others who were there simply to pay respects.
World War II veteran Vinny Pollizotto, who watched the crash in the office of Smyrna Airport Authority Director John Black, said it brought back memories of his days in the South Pacific.
“I’ve seen a lot of crashes, but this one took me off guard. It was horrible,” Polizzotto said. “My wife, Marie, started to cry and I got a lump in my throat.”
Being at the memorial brought closure for the Pollizzottos.
“I think he deserves all the accolades he gets,” Marie Pollizzotto said.
Citizens of all ages attended the memorial ceremony, including Kaitlyn Areundo, who brought her 1-year-old son.
“I’m just passionate about our community. I grew up here and hearing about what happened really affected all of us,” Areundo said as tears welled in her eyes. “Knowing that he avoided [crashing into] the neighborhood, that just shows the kind of person he was.”
Albeit a solemn occasion, Rutherford County Commissioner Brad Turner said the erection of the memorial is a way of “taking tragedy and turning it into a triumph.”
“I know the citizens of Rutherford County and Smyrna are excited [about the memorial] and I know his family … gets to see how much we care about Capt. Kuss, and I think this is something that’s going to stand the test of time,” Turner said.
Reach reporter Nancy De Gennaro at 615-2785148 or degennaro@dnj. com, and follow her on Twitter @NanDeGennaro.