Figured this would be a good way of getting us together to share about Kage. The photos and stories we share here will be compiled and sent to his wife and family. Please leave a memory and/or a photo to share.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
As I think back on my time spent with Kage Allen, this quote comes to mind. I can’t recall the exact words he... more“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
As I think back on my time spent with Kage Allen, this quote comes to mind. I can’t recall the exact words he spoke, but I will never forget how he made me, and countless others, feel.
I first met Kage in 2014 at the Air Force Academy after he had returned from serving a church mission. At the time, I was on my own journey searching for joy that only the gospel of Jesus Christ could offer. Kage played a crucial role in building my faith and strengthening my testimony. This is something I will forever be grateful for because it changed how I live my life and shaped me into who I am today.
Kage had a light about him that I strive to emulate in my own life each day. He was always smiling, genuinely happy no matter the circumstances, and cared deeply for everyone he met. Kage had a way of bringing out the best in people. More importantly, he had a way of encouraging others to be a light for those around them because that’s what he did for each of us everyday.
Thank you, Kage, for teaching us to be a light even in the darkest of times. Because of you, this world is a little brighter.
I will probably post again as there is no one way to define what Kage meant in my life and my memory is random in finding things. But I know for sure Kage was one of the few people I knew (Academy) and know (now) that I could completely trust and was one... moreI will probably post again as there is no one way to define what Kage meant in my life and my memory is random in finding things. But I know for sure Kage was one of the few people I knew (Academy) and know (now) that I could completely trust and was one of my Mormon brothers I always felt safe around. I love his humor, his jokes, singing with him in the Cadet Choir, hearing his stories, and loved hearing how much he loved his family and his mission. My husband was only able to meet Kage once and said how much he appreciated Kage coming up and shaking his hand when Gage was in a room of strangers, making Gage feel welcome and more comfortable. Gage could tell Kage was an amazing guy he wanted to get to know better and we were hoping to run into Kage and his wife in our AF travels. With how amazing, thoughtful, kind, spiritual Kage is, I knew his wife would be his equal to match him. I am sincerely glad he was able to find Hannah and it breaks my heart to see him leave this Earth so soon. less
Thank you for bringing me food in the hospital after I had Mark. Thank you for buying one of my first cakes from me. Thank you for watching Watson while we were out of town even though he ate our furniture. Thank you for helping us move all our... moreThank you for bringing me food in the hospital after I had Mark. Thank you for buying one of my first cakes from me. Thank you for watching Watson while we were out of town even though he ate our furniture. Thank you for helping us move all our belongings to the house across the street. Thank you for making us smile and trying to get away with wearing hiking pants to church. Thank you for filling our home with laughter. Thank you for bearing your testimony of Christ unashamedly. Thank you for being a friend and family to us. I’m 100% positive you were celebrated in heaven today. We will be celebrating you here. Until we meet again 🤟🏼 less
Kage,
Thank you for always setting the example of what it means to be Christlike. You were always there to help lift the spirits of anyone feeling frustrated or upset. Your smile made everyone around you feel appreciated and loved. Your determination... moreKage,
Thank you for always setting the example of what it means to be Christlike. You were always there to help lift the spirits of anyone feeling frustrated or upset. Your smile made everyone around you feel appreciated and loved. Your determination and vision was inspiring to say the least. I know that freshman year at the academy would not have been the same without you as my sponsor brother with the Alvey's. You were inspiring in every sense of the word, I remember the example you set of being a priesthood holder and how you made me want to better just by seeing how you lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I truly can say that I do not know if I would be a pilot today if it were not for your contagious enthusiasm for flying. We all knew you would achieve your dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. I can remember our first Sunday in Altus, OK when I met your older brother Jake. We walked into the church building not knowing anyone there, but the first person we saw was your brother and immediately I felt like we were at the right place for us because he greeted us just like you always did. Your family is one of the best families I have ever met and I think one of the hardest parts about this has been thinking of how much they must be hurting. I am so thankful for our Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation and for the opportunity He gave me to speak to you one last time this past weekend. I really did look forward to hearing your voice over the radio one day, but for now I will just look forward to giving you a big Chilean hug again when we meet again. I thank you for the positive impact you have had upon me and my family.
Hasta Ver Hermano Mio,
Jared&Kelsey Smithson less
It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute. I received word tonight of the tragic death Kage Allen, one of our Missionaries from the Misión Chile Santiago Sur. We are heart broken. I was just texting with him Sunday about a visit to England.... moreIt is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute. I received word tonight of the tragic death Kage Allen, one of our Missionaries from the Misión Chile Santiago Sur. We are heart broken. I was just texting with him Sunday about a visit to England. America has lost one of it's very finest. He graduated from the Air Force Academy a few years ago and was stationed in England where he was in fighter pilot training. He died in a training exercise over the North Sea.
I have to share a few stories about him to demonstrate the kind of man he was. Our mission was a new mission created out of the Rancagua Mission and the Santiago West Mission. As we were preparing to leave and I was trying to learn as much as I could about Santiago, it became clear to me that our mission was very unique. It was one of the most “complicado” areas of Chile. Parts were very poor with high crime rates.and with places were outsiders did not go. In my research I came across a number of blogs from missionaries in the two existing missions and almost every one said something to the effect "nobody wants to be in that new mission." I expressed my concern to our predecessors in both missions, Hoping that they would be very thoughtful in who they would assign to our mission.
Upon our arrival President MacArthur of the Rancagua mission told me that Elder Allen asked to be assigned to the most difficult area in the new mission. He then said to me "Elder Allen could literally run this mission." He spent the next year in that area, in a section of the very worst part of Santiago. Literally a place where the Carabineros (police) did not go. Not once did he complain.
Within weeks of our arrival the father of his companion died in an accident in Peru. The compassion and love he showed to his companion was exemplary. He then trained new missionaries for most of the rest of his mission while serving as a zone leader. He was a logical choice to assign as one of my two assistants but he was too valuable in the trenches. NEVER did he complain! I went and worked with his companion one day while one of my assistants worked with him. I asked his companion about how things were going. He heaped praise on Elder Allen but then said, "He walks so fast all the time, and I get pretty tired." That encapsulates who he was. He had a sense of urgency. He loved mankind, be it a toughened member of a street gang, a stranger, or a companion still wet behind the ears.
He was released from his mission a little early so he could matriculate on schedule at the Air Force Academy. In his last month every time I saw him we exchanged “un abrazo fuerte” and I whispered in his ear that I loved him then with a smile I said, "Damn that Air Force for taking you from me." He laughed, smiled and winked at me every time.
Our mission moto was "Hacia las Alturas", To the Heights. What a fitting motto for Kage and his dream to be a fighter pilot. I have no doubt that he would have risen to the highest echelons of the USAF. Kathleen and I offer our deepest condolences and love to his parents and family and his new bride of just a few months. We love you, though we have never met. Thank you for sharing Kage with us.
Until we meet again my dear friend! Te amo!
Here is a poem he sent us 5 years ago in a letter that he described his challenges his first year back at the Academy.
In time of strife or test,
When all seems bleak or under haze,
It’s hard to see which way is best,
Lost as if, inside a maze.
Many times we feel this way,
Finding refuge from our pains,
We might not know just what to say,
Try as we might, our strength still feigns.
No strangers are we to these times,
Though but cadets of the Academy.
We’ve made our way through many climbs,
But not without a humble plea.
We know in whom we trust,
For His love gives all men power,
our petition then is thus,
I Need thee Every Hour. less
Kage, Preston, and I went to Chile together for the mission. Kage was my district leader for a time and the only one from the Academy in my same mission. It was great being able to see him and to swap stories about home. He was VERY skilled at Chilean... moreKage, Preston, and I went to Chile together for the mission. Kage was my district leader for a time and the only one from the Academy in my same mission. It was great being able to see him and to swap stories about home. He was VERY skilled at Chilean slang, and used it all the time when we were all back at the Academy together. He was outgoing and fun to be around, couldn't wait to be a pilot, and I was sure that if any of us were going to make General it would be Kage
Heres a toast. less
Loading ...
