Joel

I received this story from a friend in the Air Force. One of the best I've read in awhile.



Noise Complaint at Luke AFB, AZ
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-16's 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-wannabe's 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 fly-by of F-16's
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 fly-by, 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 widow20and 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 fly-by 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
andthe American Soldier. One died for your soul and liberty; the other for
your natural freedom.
(signed) Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF