April 16, 2016, marked the return of the Smoky Mountain Air Show since its cancellation due to 9/11. On a clear sunny weekend in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, over 200,000 attended the two day event at Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport. Along with my good friend, Sharon Campbell, we ventured the long lines leading to the airport. Tiring of looking up the the tailpipe of the car in front of us, we dared to take a side road and a back way into the airport. We risked getting stuck on a two lane road with, potentially, even longer waits. However, we were rewarded with practically a clear shot to the site. We missed only part of the opening performances.

A large portion of the gate, $350,000, was donated to HonorAir Knoxville, a group dedicated to taking WWII, Korean War and Vietnam veterans at no cost to them to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials built in their honor.

The Smoky Mountain Air Show took place two months before the crash of Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss in his F/A-18 Hornet while practicing for the Great Tennessee Air Show at the former Sewart Air Force Base in Smyrna, TN. Like others, I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing, especially after having seen his recent magnificent performance. Along with other Americans, I offer my condolences to his family and his fellow pilots and crew.