A fallen Thunderbirds pilot from Valencia was honored on the Senate floor Thursday after crashing in the Nevada desert during a flight demonstration.

Major Stephen “Cajun” Del Bagno was recognized on the U.S. Senate floor by Senator Dean Heller, Nevada, after he was killed on April 4th when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at the Nevada Test and Training Range.

“Selfless. Driven. Caring. Mentor. An inspiration. A big dude with an even bigger heart. Brother. Those are words that Major Del Bagno’s fellow Thunderbirds used to describe him,” said Heller. “Major Del Bagno’s death is a reminder that we are all forever indebted to the men and women who answer the call to serve this country and stand guard, training and preparing each day for when duty calls.”

The pilot was part of the Thunderbirds Squadron, which tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked aircraft.

The Thunderbirds – also known as “America’s Ambassadors in Blue” – are an elite team of highly experienced fighter pilots.

A memorial service was held at Saugus High School Sunday was attended by over 1,000 fellow service personnel, family members, friends and residents.

The Major was described by his family and friends as compassionate, humble, hard-working, selfless, approachable, optimistic, a devout Catholic and an all-around “good dude.”

A motorcade procession consisting of the Del Bagno family and Patriot Guard Riders, a volunteer organization dedicated to honoring fallen servicemen, began at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and made its way to Saugus High School for the memorial.

See Related: Fallen Santa Clarita Thunderbirds Pilot Receives Memorial, Full Military Honors

The service also included a 21-gun salute and a flyover in the “missing man” formation, to honor the fallen Thunderbird pilot.

Maj. Del Bagno is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 4 jet, according to the Thunderbird website.

Del Bango is a 2005 graduate of Utah Valley State University, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama in 2007.

U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Boitz

Before joining the Air Force, Del Bagno was a civilian flight instructor, corporate pilot, skywriter, and a banner tow pilot. He enjoys snowboarding, water sports and spending time with family and friends.

Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, Del Bagno served as an F-35A Evaluator Pilot and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida.

See Related: Valencia Man Dies In F-16 Jet Crash Near Las Vegas

The Major has logged more than 3,500 total flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, with 1,400 hours as an Air Force pilot.

“These are the people whose character embodies the American spirit. The people who truly humble us and inspire us through their unwavering commitment,” said Heller. “The people who represent the very best that this country has to offer.”

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