Remember to say a prayer of thanks this Holiday season for those serving their country.
>
> 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 to
> 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 9:11 am, 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' (Letters, Thursday):
>
> 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
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