Terry inspired me with his funeral post to put up this email I got.


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 his/her 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 Mervyns early bird special?
Any response would be appreciated.

The response:
Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by 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 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 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 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 and the American Soldier.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF

 

I'm pretty sure someone posted this a while back. Don't know if I read it here or in an email.

 

He must have felt so small, I wonder how he climbed out of his boots after he read the answer?

 

Sometimes It makes me wonder if Im one of the last American that still gets a little chocked up when I'm standing for our national anthem. Folks just seem get caught up in rat race of life, they forget or dont understand how are freedom are secured.

 

Quite a reality check. I hope the complaining person has a deep sense of remorse.

 

Yes. And, to the mutt who wrote the complaint, I offer the words Dick Cheney said to Leahy.

 

With Wright Patt just minutes from here, we have idiots that write to the local paper's speak out section complaining about the noise from the training missions they fly around here.
It just floors me that we are surrounded by morons..........

 

And if that is not enough of an answer to your question how about a few of us come over and kick your *** until you understand that freedom is only free for a holes like you because others gladly and bravely paid your share.

 

I know I get goose-bumps hearing the national anthem, and when jets fly overhead I think it is inspiring. I appreciate so much what every man and woman in the armed forces is doing for our freedom and country. I think those who don't respect this should think about all the freedoms we have, and what life would be like without them.

 

According to the full artical, he pretty got down on his hands and knees and said he was sorry.