Justpipes
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- Dec 17, 2007
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I thought this a very worthy story to share!
Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by
civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its
planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.
A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the
back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote
the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed their
day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB
officer, it must have stung quite a bit.
The complaint:
'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the
morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M., a tight
formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall,
continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our
good fortune! Do the 'Tom Cruise-wannabes' feel we need this wake-up
call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyn's early
bird special? Any
response would be appreciated.'
The response:
Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' (Letters, Thursday):
On June 15, at precisely 9:12 A.M., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby
of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew
over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air
Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and
was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.
At 9 A.M. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland
Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and
friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because
of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the
playing of Taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques
as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the
United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who
understand the sacrifices they have endured.
A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those
who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional
aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter
writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate
respects. The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning
air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward
your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them
for you, for it was
in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of
their lives.
Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus
Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul and liberty;
the other for your natural freedom.
(signed) Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF
Just FYI, the original complainer wrote a followup letter of apology.
Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by
civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its
planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.
A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the
back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote
the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed their
day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB
officer, it must have stung quite a bit.
The complaint:
'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the
morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M., a tight
formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall,
continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our
good fortune! Do the 'Tom Cruise-wannabes' feel we need this wake-up
call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyn's early
bird special? Any
response would be appreciated.'
The response:
Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' (Letters, Thursday):
On June 15, at precisely 9:12 A.M., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby
of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew
over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air
Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and
was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.
At 9 A.M. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland
Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and
friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because
of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the
playing of Taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques
as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the
United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who
understand the sacrifices they have endured.
A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those
who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional
aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter
writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate
respects. The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning
air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward
your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them
for you, for it was
in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of
their lives.
Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus
Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul and liberty;
the other for your natural freedom.
(signed) Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF
Just FYI, the original complainer wrote a followup letter of apology.
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