Blue Angels in mourning

[LJR]

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/app ... 30324/1006 (includes pictures and a video)




Well-wishers have set up a memorial in the parking space belonging to Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis at Pensacola Naval Air Station. Davis died Saturday when his No. 6 F/A-18 Hornet crashed during the Blue Angels' performance at an air show in Beaufort, S.C.
Bruce Graner/bgraner@pnj.com
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A lone Blue Angel prepares to land Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Naval Air Station after returning from Beaufort, S.C.
Jennifer Cecil/jcecil@pnj.com
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A reserve aircraft from the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron is painted with the No. 6 for the original aircraft flown by Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis and put on display at Sherman Field at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Bruce Graner/bgraner@pnj.com
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Published - April, 23, 2007

Blue Angels in mourning
Team flies home to NAS one man short


Thyrie Bland
tbland@pnj.com

The Blue Angels returned home Sunday with heavy hearts and decided not to participate in a weekend air show in Vidalia, Ga.

The team is mourning the loss of Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis, who was killed Saturday in Beaufort, S.C., when his No. 6 jet crashed during an air show.

The return to the Pensacola Naval Air Station was much different than on most Sundays. No one said much. And there wasn't the usual cheering and clapping that greet the elite flying team after a weekend show.

Somber family members were waiting at the air station when the team returned about 3:40 p.m.

"It was a very teary-eyed reunion," Lt. Cmdr. Garrett Kasper, spokesman for the Blue Angels, said Sunday evening.

The team met after getting back to NAS and decided not to practice Tuesday.

"We would like to get back in the air as soon as practicable," Kasper said.

A memorial service honoring Davis also was discussed, but plans remain incomplete, Kasper said.

Davis' parking space at Pensacola Naval Air Station has been turned into a makeshift memorial for the fallen Blue Angels pilot.

There are flowers, including roses, sunflowers, lilies and daisies, laid against a fence with a blue sign attached, bearing Davis' name.

"We will always remember No. 6," one poster read.

"God bless your soul. Fly high Blue Angel," another small note read.

Oscar Bergman and his wife, Ro, left a jar with two roses -- one red and one white -- a poem and an e-mail from a friend.

"I touched the (sign) with his name on it, and the tears came," said Ro Bergman, a longtime fan of the Blues.

As a tribute to Davis outside the Blue Angels hangar, flood lights were aimed at a spare jet bearing Davis' name and the No. 6.

The display was a reflection of Davis' personality, Kasper said.

"Even in the darkest of times, Kevin Davis was the guy that could shed light on the situation," Kasper said.

The rest of Davis' team, mourning the loss of their teammate, declined to speak with the media. Harry White, public affairs officer for NAS, said the pilots were "starting the healing process."

Things seemed normal at the air station on Sunday afternoon, with a steady amount of traffic, people playing golf on the base's course and sailboats floating in the water nearby.

Throughout the weekend, there are a lot of heavy hearts on the base.

"With something like this, it doesn't matter who you are, you are going to be affected," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Tom Samelstad, a Naval air crewman stationed at NAS. "But if you do anything in aviation, you know the Blue Angels and it hits you that much harder."

The Blues are a special part of this Northwest Florida city, with locals feeling a special bond with the pilots.

"There are people who have lived here all their lives and seen the air show every year," Samelstad said Saturday. "Pensacola wouldn't be the same without the Blue Angels."

"We are a small town," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeff Plowman, a Pensacola native and rescue swimmer instructor at NAS. "They are definitely our hometown heroes."

Gulf Breeze resident Cheryl Wiggins posted her large Blue Angels flag outside her home about 7 a.m. Sunday.

"It's going to stay out there for at least a week at half staff," said Wiggins, who also plans to wear her "wing and a prayer" pin as a tribute to Davis.

Davis, known by his nickname "Kojak," joined the Blues in September 2005. He had been on the team for two years, and this was his first year as a demonstration pilot.

Davis spent his early years in Pittsfield, Mass. Davis' father, John, was principal at Taconic High School.

John Davis and his wife, Ann, who now reside in Aiken, S.C., were at Saturday's show when their son was killed.

Kevin Davis graduated in 1992 from Reading Memorial High School after the family moved east when his father took a job as school superintendent in Somerville, Mass.

Kevin Davis graduated with honors in 1996 from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, according to the Blue Angels' Web site. In September of that year, he entered officer candidate school at Naval Air Station in Pensacola.

He earned "Top Stick" status in his class at Fighter Squadron 101 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., while training in F-14 Tomcat jets. He flew missions supporting the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and graduated from Navy Flight Weapons School in 2004.

Even as a young boy, Kevin Davis was intrigued by speed.

"He was fascinated with airplanes from the time he was little," former neighbor Betty Sweeney said. "He knew what he wanted to do, and he did it. That's the only relief, that he went doing what he wanted to do."

News Journal staff writers Jessica Coleman, Chrissy Littledale and The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Article Comments


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Kevin........... Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:10 am
............rest in peace my sweet blue angel...........
Posted by: DENISE
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Reader Comment Mon Apr 23, 2007 5:21 am
REST IN PEACE CRADLED IN THE ARMS OF JESUS
Posted by: a friend in JESUS
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God Bless . Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:16 am
To the family and team members we send our deepest condolences on the loss of a great pilot and hero to all who have ever watched a Blue Angels flight demo.
Posted by: krisco5150
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Pilot's daughter Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:57 am
A Pilot's Prayer

When this life I'm in is done,
And at the gates I stand.
My hope is that I answer all
the questions on command.

I doubt I'll be asked of my fame,
or all the things I knew.
Instead, did I witness the rainbows
on rainy days I flew.

The hours logged, the status reached,
the ratings will not matter.
Did I notice the sun's rays
on the lakes that scattered.

Or what about the droplets clear,
that spread across my screen?
And the twinkling eyes of student pilots keen?

How fast, how far, how much, how high?
I won't be asked these things.
But did I take the time to watch
the moonbeams wash my wings?

And did I see the patchwork fields
the mirrored lakes below?
Or the mountains high and velvet hills?
Of these did i behold?

And when the goals are reached at last.
When all the flying's done.
I'll answer with no regret-
Indeed! I had some fun.

So when these things are asked of me,
And I can reach no higher.
My prayer this day with hands extended,
please welcome home this Flyer.
Posted by: pulama64
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Fly home my friend... Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:04 am
When this life I'm in is done,
And at the gates I stand,
My hope is that I answer all
His questions on command.

I doubt He'll ask me of my fame,
Or all the things I knew, Instead,
He'll ask of rainbows sent
On rainy days I flew.

The hours logged, the status reached,
The ratings will not matter.
He'll ask me if I saw the rays
And how He made them scatter.

Or what about the droplets clear,
I spread across your screen?
And did you see the twinkling eyes.
Of student pilots keen?

The way your heart jumped in your chest,
That special solo day-
Did you take time to thank the one
Who fell along the way?

Remember how the runway lights
Looked one night long ago
When you were lost and found your way,
And how-you still dont know?

How fast, how far, how much, how high?
He'll ask me not these things
But did I take the time to watch
The Moonbeams wash my wings?

And did you see the patchwork fields
And moutains I did mould;
The mirrored lakes and velvet hills,
Of these did I behold?

The wind he flung along my wings,
On final almost stalled.
And did I know it was His name,
That I so fearfully called?

And when the goals are reached at last,
When all the flyings done,
I'll answer Him with no regret-
Indeed, I had some fun.

So when these things are asked of me,
And I can reach no higher,
My prayer this day - His hand extends
To welcome home a Flyer."
Posted by: CaptainAmerica
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#6 loss Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:39 am
Attended noon Mass Sunday on base..Fr. Jon offered it up for Kevin....then my daughter /former aviation mech with USMC/ and two children placed flowers on my Dads grave/Navy test pilot..then on to view the silent Blue Angel air strip...there were beautiful flowers by entrance sign...even the kids cried..the Blues are a family tradition...hope my grandson can be another # 6 type..wonderful role model... know my father was in line to welcom Kevin into Gods Heavenly Angels Team...Prayerful sympathy to family and Blues Team...
Posted by: coolcat
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Kevin Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:42 am
To the family and team members I send my deepest condolences on the loss of a great American, great pilot and to all who had the previledge to know Kevin, an all around great guy. Blue sky's always! Rest in peace my friend Kevin. I will always remember you.

Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Carroccio
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TO KEVIN'S PARENTS Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:42 am
?Ill lend you for a little time, a
child of mine,? He said,
?For you to love while he lives,
and mourn when he is dead.
It may be six or seven years, or
thirty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
take care of him for me?
He?ll bring his charms to gladden
you, and shall his stay be brief.
You?ll have his lovely memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down
there I want this child to learn.
I?ve looked the wide world over in
my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd
life?s lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your
love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
to take him back again.
I fancied that I heard them say,
Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joy Thy child shall
bring, the risk of grief we?ll run.
We?ll shelter him with tenderness,
we?ll love him while we may;
And for the happiness we?ve
known, will ever grateful stay.
But shall the angels call for him
much sooner than we planned,
We?ll brave the bitter grief that
comes, and try to understand!?
Author Unknown
Posted by: kittymom
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kevin (and kieron) Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:08 am
as the former pensacola beach airshow coordinator, my heart goes out and prayers go up to all of you in the BLUES family. KEVIN will be missed very much and i sent to him and his family along with my dear friend kieron (who is also in heaven) my wishes for his happiest of memories.
the BLUES family will always be a part of me and any loss will be mourned forever in my heart.

please have strength and power to remember them with love, compassion and memories to celebrate. kevin was a leader, and a true warrior.

my heart and love goes out to all of you at the BLUES hangar in pensacola, florida. i miss all of you sooo much.

love, shelley berman
former pensacola beach airshow coordinator
Posted by: shelleyberm
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Reader Comment Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:30 am
"High Flight:

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

My deepest heartfelt sympathies to the family of Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis. Having family involved in aviation, I accept that this may be the way I lose a loved one. This poem has always given me peace of mind and I hope it does the same for you.
Posted by: bchgrl25

[ohiostorm]

I had the opportunity to watch Kevin and his team last summer during their practice runs and their shows at Pittsburgh. I work at the airport and had the chance to watch all their practices. Awesome experience. Four or five days of the Blue Angels. I remember walking from the employee lot to the airport and heard a roar above my head. I turned around and watched a BA shoot straight into the air. Never heard anything so loud. Turned out, it was #6 that was giving newscrews rides in his aircraft.

R.I.P. Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis

[LJR]

I had the opportunity to watch Kevin and his team last summer during their practice runs and their shows at Pittsburgh. I work at the airport and had the chance to watch all their practices. Awesome experience. Four or five days of the Blue Angels. I remember walking from the employee lot to the airport and heard a roar above my head. I turned around and watched a BA shoot straight into the air. Never heard anything so loud. Turned out, it was #6 that was giving newscrews rides in his aircraft.

R.I.P. Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis

In our other house, we could see them practicing the stunts. Sometimes they would fly right over the house.

I am very proud to live in the same city as their homebase is.

[ohiostorm]

I had the opportunity to watch Kevin and his team last summer during their practice runs and their shows at Pittsburgh. I work at the airport and had the chance to watch all their practices. Awesome experience. Four or five days of the Blue Angels. I remember walking from the employee lot to the airport and heard a roar above my head. I turned around and watched a BA shoot straight into the air. Never heard anything so loud. Turned out, it was #6 that was giving newscrews rides in his aircraft.

R.I.P. Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis

In our other house, we could see them practicing the stunts. Sometimes they would fly right over the house.

I am very proud to live in the same city as their homebase is.

I would love to be there and see them all the time. You are lucky!