Services for Captain Kuss will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016. The burial at Greenmount Cemetery will be private.
The Blue Angels unit and numerous Marines are expected to arrive for the occasion. While he didn't know how many Marines will come to Durango for the service, Capt. Clay Groover of Beaufort Air Station in South Carolina, the home of the Marine Attack Squadron 312, Kuss' former unit, said a significant number had asked for leave and were traveling on their own dime to come show respect.
"It is extremely rare to find a ceremony of this magnitude for any military personnel," said George Usinowicz about what Durango can expect. He served in the Gulf War, and his brother was a fighter pilot. "But this group is so elite and so tight-knit, Durango will see something unique."
Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings in Colorado from sunrise to sunset Saturday in Kuss' honor.
Because Durango has never had a military funeral at this level, here's a summary of how it will work:
The body of Captain Kuss will be flown to Durango in the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules, dubbed No. 6, his flight designation, on Friday, along with his family. Both the family and the military have asked that the return be closed to the public.
Motorcade Residents can show their support for the family and respect for Captain Kuss' service along the route of the motorcade.
Only friends and family invited to the service and military members will ride in the motorcade.
The hope is residents will line the entire route. Free U.S. flags that people can wave are still available at the Durango Chamber of Commerce, 111 South Camino del Rio, and the Durango Olive Oil Co., 640 Main Ave. They have blue and yellow ribbons people can tie around trees and posts to honor both the Blue Angels' and Fort Lewis College's colors or wave as the motorcade passes. Kuss graduated from FLC in 2006.
The Blue Angel Press Office issued this response to a request for motorcade etiquette:
"You should remove your hat (if you are wearing one) and stand at attention in respectful silence until the escort passes. Uniformed U.S. service members wearing their cover (hat) would salute."
Drivers should expect delays and some brief road closures as the motorcade travels through downtown. Multiple law enforcement agencies will manage traffic.
Residents may hear the 21-gun salute and see jets fly over town and the cemetery in the Missing Man Formation. Groover said the Checkerboards were sending 2 F/A-18 Hornets to "support the Blue Angels."
"Pilots fly this magnificent and solemn aerial maneuver for presidents, potentates, astronauts and other pilots of note as a tribute and showing of love, respect and camaraderie for a brother pilot," the Blue Angels said in a post from Old Glory Traditions. "This maneuver is sometimes flown with the wingman spiraling off, or it is flown consistently with a hole where another should be."
Both the salute and flyover should occur around 1 p.m. The Rim at FLC is a good viewing point for the Missing Man Formation.
U.S. Marine Captain Jeff Kuss was a member of the Blue Angels. He was the pilot of plane number six. He was killed a few hours ago when his plane crashed during a practice flight with the Blue Angels.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Christina and their 2 young children. He was 32 years of age. He is also survived by his parents, Michael and Janet Kuss and a younger brother.
He graduated from Durango High School in 2002. He attended Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 2006. Jeff was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps through the Officer Candidate Course in 2006 and reported to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, to complete training.
Jeff reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in July 2007. He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and completed advanced training in the T-45A Goshawk at NAS Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings of gold in November 2009.
Jeff then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), the "Rough Raiders," at NAS Lemoore, California, for initial training in the F/A-18 Hornet. He reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312), the "Checkerboards," at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, in February 2011, where he served as Squadron Mess Officer, Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer (NATOPS), Powerline Division Officer, and Pilot Training Officer.
Jeff reported to U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Fallon, Nevada, in July 2012 and graduated in September 2012.
While assigned to VMFA-312, Jeff deployed with Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. VMFA-312 earned the 2013 Robert M. Hanson Award as the Marine Corps Association's Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year.
Jeff joined the Blue Angels in September 2014. He has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and 175 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.
The Blue Angels unit and numerous Marines are expected to arrive for the occasion. While he didn't know how many Marines will come to Durango for the service, Capt. Clay Groover of Beaufort Air Station in South Carolina, the home of the Marine Attack Squadron 312, Kuss' former unit, said a significant number had asked for leave and were traveling on their own dime to come show respect.
"It is extremely rare to find a ceremony of this magnitude for any military personnel," said George Usinowicz about what Durango can expect. He served in the Gulf War, and his brother was a fighter pilot. "But this group is so elite and so tight-knit, Durango will see something unique."
Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings in Colorado from sunrise to sunset Saturday in Kuss' honor.
Because Durango has never had a military funeral at this level, here's a summary of how it will work:
The body of Captain Kuss will be flown to Durango in the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules, dubbed No. 6, his flight designation, on Friday, along with his family. Both the family and the military have asked that the return be closed to the public.
Motorcade Residents can show their support for the family and respect for Captain Kuss' service along the route of the motorcade.
Only friends and family invited to the service and military members will ride in the motorcade.
The hope is residents will line the entire route. Free U.S. flags that people can wave are still available at the Durango Chamber of Commerce, 111 South Camino del Rio, and the Durango Olive Oil Co., 640 Main Ave. They have blue and yellow ribbons people can tie around trees and posts to honor both the Blue Angels' and Fort Lewis College's colors or wave as the motorcade passes. Kuss graduated from FLC in 2006.
The Blue Angel Press Office issued this response to a request for motorcade etiquette:
"You should remove your hat (if you are wearing one) and stand at attention in respectful silence until the escort passes. Uniformed U.S. service members wearing their cover (hat) would salute."
Drivers should expect delays and some brief road closures as the motorcade travels through downtown. Multiple law enforcement agencies will manage traffic.
Residents may hear the 21-gun salute and see jets fly over town and the cemetery in the Missing Man Formation. Groover said the Checkerboards were sending 2 F/A-18 Hornets to "support the Blue Angels."
"Pilots fly this magnificent and solemn aerial maneuver for presidents, potentates, astronauts and other pilots of note as a tribute and showing of love, respect and camaraderie for a brother pilot," the Blue Angels said in a post from Old Glory Traditions. "This maneuver is sometimes flown with the wingman spiraling off, or it is flown consistently with a hole where another should be."
Both the salute and flyover should occur around 1 p.m. The Rim at FLC is a good viewing point for the Missing Man Formation.
U.S. Marine Captain Jeff Kuss was a member of the Blue Angels. He was the pilot of plane number six. He was killed a few hours ago when his plane crashed during a practice flight with the Blue Angels.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Christina and their 2 young children. He was 32 years of age. He is also survived by his parents, Michael and Janet Kuss and a younger brother.
He graduated from Durango High School in 2002. He attended Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 2006. Jeff was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps through the Officer Candidate Course in 2006 and reported to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, to complete training.
Jeff reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in July 2007. He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and completed advanced training in the T-45A Goshawk at NAS Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings of gold in November 2009.
Jeff then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), the "Rough Raiders," at NAS Lemoore, California, for initial training in the F/A-18 Hornet. He reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312), the "Checkerboards," at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, in February 2011, where he served as Squadron Mess Officer, Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer (NATOPS), Powerline Division Officer, and Pilot Training Officer.
Jeff reported to U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Fallon, Nevada, in July 2012 and graduated in September 2012.
While assigned to VMFA-312, Jeff deployed with Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. VMFA-312 earned the 2013 Robert M. Hanson Award as the Marine Corps Association's Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year.
Jeff joined the Blue Angels in September 2014. He has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and 175 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.
Services for Captain Kuss will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016. The burial at Greenmount Cemetery will be private.
The Blue Angels unit and numerous Marines are expected to arrive for the occasion. While he didn't know how many Marines will come to Durango for the service, Capt. Clay Groover of Beaufort Air Station in South Carolina, the home of the Marine Attack Squadron 312, Kuss' former unit, said a significant number had asked for leave and were traveling on their own dime to come show respect.
"It is extremely rare to find a ceremony of this magnitude for any military personnel," said George Usinowicz about what Durango can expect. He served in the Gulf War, and his brother was a fighter pilot. "But this group is so elite and so tight-knit, Durango will see something unique."
Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings in Colorado from sunrise to sunset Saturday in Kuss' honor.
Because Durango has never had a military funeral at this level, here's a summary of how it will work:
The body of Captain Kuss will be flown to Durango in the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules, dubbed No. 6, his flight designation, on Friday, along with his family. Both the family and the military have asked that the return be closed to the public.
Motorcade Residents can show their support for the family and respect for Captain Kuss' service along the route of the motorcade.
Only friends and family invited to the service and military members will ride in the motorcade.
The hope is residents will line the entire route. Free U.S. flags that people can wave are still available at the Durango Chamber of Commerce, 111 South Camino del Rio, and the Durango Olive Oil Co., 640 Main Ave. They have blue and yellow ribbons people can tie around trees and posts to honor both the Blue Angels' and Fort Lewis College's colors or wave as the motorcade passes. Kuss graduated from FLC in 2006.
The Blue Angel Press Office issued this response to a request for motorcade etiquette:
"You should remove your hat (if you are wearing one) and stand at attention in respectful silence until the escort passes. Uniformed U.S. service members wearing their cover (hat) would salute."
Drivers should expect delays and some brief road closures as the motorcade travels through downtown. Multiple law enforcement agencies will manage traffic.
Residents may hear the 21-gun salute and see jets fly over town and the cemetery in the Missing Man Formation. Groover said the Checkerboards were sending 2 F/A-18 Hornets to "support the Blue Angels."
"Pilots fly this magnificent and solemn aerial maneuver for presidents, potentates, astronauts and other pilots of note as a tribute and showing of love, respect and camaraderie for a brother pilot," the Blue Angels said in a post from Old Glory Traditions. "This maneuver is sometimes flown with the wingman spiraling off, or it is flown consistently with a hole where another should be."
Both the salute and flyover should occur around 1 p.m. The Rim at FLC is a good viewing point for the Missing Man Formation.
U.S. Marine Captain Jeff Kuss was a member of the Blue Angels. He was the pilot of plane number six. He was killed a few hours ago when his plane crashed during a practice flight with the Blue Angels.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Christina and their 2 young children. He was 32 years of age. He is also survived by his parents, Michael and Janet Kuss and a younger brother.
He graduated from Durango High School in 2002. He attended Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 2006. Jeff was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps through the Officer Candidate Course in 2006 and reported to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, to complete training.
Jeff reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in July 2007. He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and completed advanced training in the T-45A Goshawk at NAS Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings of gold in November 2009.
Jeff then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), the "Rough Raiders," at NAS Lemoore, California, for initial training in the F/A-18 Hornet. He reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312), the "Checkerboards," at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, in February 2011, where he served as Squadron Mess Officer, Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer (NATOPS), Powerline Division Officer, and Pilot Training Officer.
Jeff reported to U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Fallon, Nevada, in July 2012 and graduated in September 2012.
While assigned to VMFA-312, Jeff deployed with Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. VMFA-312 earned the 2013 Robert M. Hanson Award as the Marine Corps Association's Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year.
Jeff joined the Blue Angels in September 2014. He has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and 175 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.
The Blue Angels unit and numerous Marines are expected to arrive for the occasion. While he didn't know how many Marines will come to Durango for the service, Capt. Clay Groover of Beaufort Air Station in South Carolina, the home of the Marine Attack Squadron 312, Kuss' former unit, said a significant number had asked for leave and were traveling on their own dime to come show respect.
"It is extremely rare to find a ceremony of this magnitude for any military personnel," said George Usinowicz about what Durango can expect. He served in the Gulf War, and his brother was a fighter pilot. "But this group is so elite and so tight-knit, Durango will see something unique."
Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings in Colorado from sunrise to sunset Saturday in Kuss' honor.
Because Durango has never had a military funeral at this level, here's a summary of how it will work:
The body of Captain Kuss will be flown to Durango in the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules, dubbed No. 6, his flight designation, on Friday, along with his family. Both the family and the military have asked that the return be closed to the public.
Motorcade Residents can show their support for the family and respect for Captain Kuss' service along the route of the motorcade.
Only friends and family invited to the service and military members will ride in the motorcade.
The hope is residents will line the entire route. Free U.S. flags that people can wave are still available at the Durango Chamber of Commerce, 111 South Camino del Rio, and the Durango Olive Oil Co., 640 Main Ave. They have blue and yellow ribbons people can tie around trees and posts to honor both the Blue Angels' and Fort Lewis College's colors or wave as the motorcade passes. Kuss graduated from FLC in 2006.
The Blue Angel Press Office issued this response to a request for motorcade etiquette:
"You should remove your hat (if you are wearing one) and stand at attention in respectful silence until the escort passes. Uniformed U.S. service members wearing their cover (hat) would salute."
Drivers should expect delays and some brief road closures as the motorcade travels through downtown. Multiple law enforcement agencies will manage traffic.
Residents may hear the 21-gun salute and see jets fly over town and the cemetery in the Missing Man Formation. Groover said the Checkerboards were sending 2 F/A-18 Hornets to "support the Blue Angels."
"Pilots fly this magnificent and solemn aerial maneuver for presidents, potentates, astronauts and other pilots of note as a tribute and showing of love, respect and camaraderie for a brother pilot," the Blue Angels said in a post from Old Glory Traditions. "This maneuver is sometimes flown with the wingman spiraling off, or it is flown consistently with a hole where another should be."
Both the salute and flyover should occur around 1 p.m. The Rim at FLC is a good viewing point for the Missing Man Formation.
U.S. Marine Captain Jeff Kuss was a member of the Blue Angels. He was the pilot of plane number six. He was killed a few hours ago when his plane crashed during a practice flight with the Blue Angels.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Christina and their 2 young children. He was 32 years of age. He is also survived by his parents, Michael and Janet Kuss and a younger brother.
He graduated from Durango High School in 2002. He attended Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 2006. Jeff was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps through the Officer Candidate Course in 2006 and reported to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, to complete training.
Jeff reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in July 2007. He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and completed advanced training in the T-45A Goshawk at NAS Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings of gold in November 2009.
Jeff then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), the "Rough Raiders," at NAS Lemoore, California, for initial training in the F/A-18 Hornet. He reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312), the "Checkerboards," at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, in February 2011, where he served as Squadron Mess Officer, Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer (NATOPS), Powerline Division Officer, and Pilot Training Officer.
Jeff reported to U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Fallon, Nevada, in July 2012 and graduated in September 2012.
While assigned to VMFA-312, Jeff deployed with Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. VMFA-312 earned the 2013 Robert M. Hanson Award as the Marine Corps Association's Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year.
Jeff joined the Blue Angels in September 2014. He has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and 175 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.
