Complaint to Luke AFB

[JerryNumbers]

AMEN to this. This is outstanding.. -----

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 t aps, 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, 'Who m 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

My kind of officer.

[Bakershalfdozen]

I love it that this story is TRUE!

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp

[Truthseeking]

"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."

That DOES deserve an AMEN ......

[pneu-engine]

That is without doubt the most awesome token of up-right fortitude I have ever witnessed in all of this century so far.

PRAISE GOD FOR MEN LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!! :thumb

Especially do I appreciate this statement by Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. ::::::::

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.

[JerryNumbers]

The air base I was stationed at, the town love the money, but did not really appreciate all the airmen until the base closed down.

[futurehope]

My uncle serve in Vietnam and is now a retired Colonel of the USAF. He spent over 3 years as a POW in Vietnam. As a prior active duty Marine who has seen the effects of war on a family and the price of freedom for our nation an others, this story brought tears to my eyes.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

"Friends" is a loose term in this day and age of disrespect for our military and I assume that the "friend" who wrote that letter will never forget the crow bar needed to remove his own foot from his mouth (he probably didn't care much for the perverbial foot he got someplace else either).

Our military is not perfect and our country is not perfect; but praise God he has granted us freedom throught them both!!!

[Danny Carlton]

Is there a link to the original source of this?

[John81]

Great story!

When I was in the Air Force I noticed the nearby towns loved all the monetary benefits that came from the base but many were hostile towards us and the military in general.

[okjac80]

[Bakershalfdozen]

Is there a link to the original source of this?

The Snopes article I linked stated that the news story appeared in the June 8, 2005 edition of the Albuquerque Tribune. The Tribune went out of business in early 2008. Here the link to their site anyway http://www.abqtrib.com/news/news/

[Danny Carlton]

I found this follow up reply on Boortz...

An apology from the heart to the airmen of Luke

Jul. 9, 2005 12:00 AM

Regarding "Flyby honoring fallen comrade" Letters, June 28):

I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my unfortunate letter to The Republic concerning an Air Force flyby ("A wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, June 23).

I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would never have insulted such a fine and respectful display had I known.

I have received many calls from the fine airmen who are serving or have served at Luke, and I have attempted to explain my side and apologized for any discomfort my letter has caused.

This was simply an uninformed citizen complaining about noise.

I have been made aware in both written and verbal communications of the four-ship flyby, and my heart goes out to each and every lost serviceman and woman in this war in which we are engaged.

I have been called un-American by an unknown caller and I feel that I must address that. I served in the U.S. Navy and am a Vietnam veteran. I love my country and respect the jobs that the service organizations are doing.

Please accept my heartfelt apologies.

[Guest Guest]

I found the link.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1438755/posts

Awesome response by the Lt. Col.