Bracelet found during BBQ cook-off has special meaning

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A bracelet commemorating a tragedy that was found at a Rodeo Cook-off tent will be returned to its owner.

Lucy Ortiz of The Blowin' Smoke BBQ Team says she is now in touch with the man it belongs to and they are coordinating its return.

Last Thursday night, a volunteer at the team's tent found the bracelet on the dance floor.

At one glance, it's clear it's special. It reads, "USMC Capt. Jeff Kuss KIA 2 June 2016."

Last June, eyewitnesses watched in horror as a Blue Angels jet crashed during practice near Nashville, Tennessee. Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss was the pilot. The Colorado native was killed.

"We definitely want it reunited with its rightful owner," Ortiz told Eyewitness News.

Ortiz put a photo on the team's Facebook page the night it was found. Monday evening, after ABC13 posted a story, someone came forward.

The owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is also a military man. He was friends with Kuss and thought the bracelet had been lost forever. Ortiz describes his reaction to the fact that it had been found as "emotional." She says they are now coordinating its return.