Photo Courtesy of the Aero-News Network

With all of the tragedies in the news of late, the loss of something so stalwart, so seemingly indestructible as a Blue Angel seems somehow unusually poignant. As of this writing, the Navy hasn’t released the aviator’s name – it wouldn’t be difficult to determine, but that, along with every other minute detail of the crash, will be widely known soon enough. (Click the image for Aero-News’ unparalleled up-to-the-minute reporting.)

For now, we mourn the loss of a symbol of courage, of optimism, and of strength. We mourn the loss of someone whose skill and expertise, and those of the giants upon whose shoulders he stood, represent a pinnacle of achievement.

Most of all, we mourn the loss of someone who, perhaps better than most of us, understood what it is to fly.