Saw this onSubject: Luke Air Force Base, Arizona

True Story.....

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 Mervyn’s 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. U.S.A.F
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Comments

  • thank you col. rosensteel, powerful words, and more powerful action.congrats to the men and women of the 56th.maybe the next timethis person sees  a service member it will give him or her pause
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