Hello Gentlemen:
 
This communication has been ruminating in my mind for some time. I finally decided to write it, regardless of how it would be received or perceived. As you can see from the "To" line, this e-mail is being sent to the three of you that currently have or have had Blue Angels websites -- Len Mozey, Larry Krusen, and Joe Dunegan. Len, you may recall me as being that brash Blue Angels trivia kid (if you can call a 64-year old a kid) from days of old.  As you know, Mr. Krusen and Mr. Dunegan, we have not had any previous communication. Frankly, I would like to have included the official Blue Angels e-mail contact address along with you, so they could receive this message. Unfortunately, their e-mail address protocol is not formatted for inclusion in a personal e-mail.
 
A little info about me: I fully realize my "outsider" status at the outset -- having never been associated with the Blue Angels in any formal capacity, nor with Naval Aviation. Mr. Dunegan, at least you served in Naval Aviation. In my youth, my only goal in life was to become a Navy Pilot and ultimately a Blue Angel . Even though I managed to obtain a college degree and a private pilot's license, I was not accepted into training as either a Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer. The Army gladly accepted me -- but my respect for the Blue Angels and Naval Aviation has never left! For what it's worth, I consider myself as being the biggest Blue Angels fan dating back to 1956. I was and am amazed that mortal, imperfect people would accept the challenge to fly and maintain aircraft in such perilous, high-risk fashion. Enough about me.
 
Human nature being what it is, you may view my comments as those of a "buttinski." So be it. However, I will tell you this: when I attended the induction of Captain Roy M. "Butch" Voris into the Naval Aviation Hall of Fame in Pensacola years ago, it was interesting that there seemed to be as many "civilians" such as myself as former Navy folks in the First Blue's reception line to offer him our well-wishes after he gave his talk to the assemblage.
 
Why this message?
 
As you know full well better than I, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (nee Team), the Blue Angels, are and have been revered as an important and exceptional part of Americana since June 1946! I am very concerned that the great chapter of Naval Aviation that the Blue Angels represent may be lost for future generations! The official Blue Angels site understandably focuses  on the current team -- and very nicely -- but frankly, it offers little on the history of personnel, aircraft, and narratives of interesting events that are part of the Blues' history -- especially the pioneering 1940's, 1950's and 1960's.  It would be utterly unconscionable for the team's detailed history to fade from the scene!
 
Len's site is no longer available. It was a fabulous site -- apparently he devoted much time to it as a labor of love. It was one of the best websites of any genre! Of course, I miss the Trivia which was dropped long ago, but the site maintained an extensive compilaton of Blue Angels history, including anecdotes of the pioneering teams and their members.
 
While Mr. Dunegan's site is impressive, it appears that it is no longer being updated as it is missing  information -- the omission of Nello Pierozzi and Pat Murphy's passing, are just two examples.
 
Unfortunately, the current official site for the Blue Angels Alumni Association has never really gotten off the ground -- if you'll pardon the pun. For a brief time, a poster appeared at the alumni link indicating that a new site would soon be launched -- but I no longer even see that.
 
So here we are: there is no longer a Blue Angels historical website; no functioning alumni site;  and, the official Blue Angels site in Pensacola seems uninterested in the team's detailed history. Add to this dilemma my belief that the Blue Angels' (and the Thunderbirds') very existence is in jeopardy for many reasons in our topsy-turvy world! Just to cite two: the Navy trains very few pilots any more and probably has little difficulty filling the relatively few slots available; and, frankly, the days of  manned fighter aircraft are numbered as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) increases. The Navy is slated to start carrier tests of the X-47 unmanned fighter aircraft concept in 2011!
 
Gentlemen, before it is too late, let me strongly urge you to work toward locating a suitable platform/venue for housing the great material that is on Len Mozey's site -- and other historical data on an on-going basis. Undoubtedly, the National Naval Aviation Museum would be the ideal repository. It is an incredible place!
 
Also, who knows what wealth of material is scattered throughout the country in family memorabilia (e.g., air show programs from around the country) and photographs/home movies that could be solicited for addition to the Blue Angels archive. After all, sixty-two years, and counting, of airshows represent great potential for more archival material. There could be a physical archive at the museum, as well as, limited availability on the Internet.
 

Please feel free to forward this to the Blues Angels in Pensacola if you so choose. As you can see, I have "cc'd" the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Thank you.
 
In memory of Captain Harley Hubert Hall -- the Best of the Best! -- whose story is clearly one of the saddest in all of Naval Aviation history; and to all of the Blue Angels who gave their lives as part of the greatest aviation group ever, in service to the United States, I remain,
 
Mike Biondolillo
Harvey, Louisiana
7 March 2009