Ferg Report post Posted June 23, 2011 I seldom do anything like this. A family member sent this to me this morning, thought some of you might like to read it. Hard to not pass this on... 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-1 6s 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bentley Report post Posted June 23, 2011 Thank you for this post. I too live in the Valley of the Sun near Williams Gateway and often see fighter jets fly over our roof tops while doing touch and go landings, it always reminds me there are still brave Soldiers protecting my family and country. God bless America and our Soldiers! Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyScott Report post Posted June 23, 2011 And as Paul Harvey used to say "Here is the rest of the story!" : http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp Please read the entire article. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted June 24, 2011 We get flyovers frequently - the New River seems to be a favorite site to practice "strafing" (spelling?) Honestly, I love seeing the fighter jets and my 6 yr old son and I see who can spot them fastest. Sometimes they are low enough to rattle the windows. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted July 27, 2011 We too get similar complaints from people who choose to buy/build next to an Airforce Base because land is cheaper and then complain about the noise, which makes one smile at the brain deadedness of some. Anyway, very well written and handled response LTCOL Rosensteel. Barra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted July 28, 2011 My family, from great greats to present, lived/live within 6 to 10 miles of Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. I have fond memories of my dad taking us kids to see the planes take off from Patterson Field at beginning of WW II. Wright Field and Patterson Field were separate then. We always felt great pride in knowing those guys and gals were protecting us. ferg We too get similar complaints from people who choose to buy/build next to an Airforce Base because land is cheaper and then complain about the noise, which makes one smile at the brain deadedness of some. Anyway, very well written and handled response LTCOL Rosensteel. Barra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDuke Report post Posted August 5, 2011 It is a complete shame that people start complaining about these things when they have little to no idea of whats going on. It's almost as bad as that idiot church in kansas protesting soldier's funerals. Everyone gets theirs in the end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
