The fleet of blue jet planes of the Blue Angels will once again grace Florida skies in Pensacola this weekend, after a brief hiatus following the death of one of their pilots in a plane crash during a practice in Tennessee last month.
Florida lawmakers have greeted the return of the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, with heaps of praise, commending the pilots for their commitment to patriotism in a time of tragedy.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., praised the pilots earlier this week on the Senate floor.
“They are everything that is right about our country,” Rubio said when commemorating fallen pilot Jeff Kuth. “The love they share for one another, the sacrifices they make in service to our nation, and the devotion they have to their calling represents the very best of the American spirit.”
Panhandle lawmaker Matt Gaetz also chimed in to salute the Blue Angels in advance of their performance in Pensacola.
“There are few things that give us more pride in our country than our military. Their heroism, patriotism, and allegiance to our nation and our allies is unparalleled,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, who is running for Congress. “The Blue Angels are a representation of the precision, training, dedication, and discipline of all of our military. Many have already fought in combat and many will return to combat once their tour with the Blue Angels is over. We are blessed in the Panhandle to be able to witness their talents, and as we support them, pay respect to all of our servicemen and women they represent.
“The Blue Angels have experienced some hard hits over the past several years, with the sequestration in 2013 and the loss of U.S. Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss this past June,” Gaetz noted. “Despite these setbacks, they remain professional and committed to the duty before them. They represent what is good and right with our country, and it is my firm commitment to the Pensacola area and to the Blue Angels squadron that I will fight to ensure Pensacola remains their home and they remain in the skies over our nation where they belong. I will do all within my power to guarantee that the dysfunctions of Washington do not ground them ever again."
Gaetz welcomed the pilots back to Pensacola.
“I stand with Senator Rubio in commending this team, honoring a great fallen Marine, and celebrating with all of the citizens of Pensacola the Blue Angels’ return to the skies over the most beautiful beaches in the world,” he said. “Welcome home and God Bless America.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
