OT: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

Not sure where this originated. Maybe some of you will enjoy reading it.


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-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, '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

Re: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

Um...ouch.

Re: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

I've seen this before and was actually thinking about it the other day. His wife and I were in the same career field and I had met her a couple times. I was also deployed doing Combat Airspace and built the restricted area when his plane went down (didn't know who it was for at the time). He was training Iraqi pilots.

Re: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

Best part of the letter right here:

"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's awesome.

Re: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Thanks for posting that

Re: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

Hallsgator said:

Best part of the letter right here:

"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's awesome.

Click to expand...

AMEN!

Re: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

Re: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

That was incredible. Whoever wrote that complaint deserved the response.

If the complainer doesn't like it, they can leave. The USAF base was there before anyone else, and it is a vital part of defending our freedom. Anyone who thinks they are justified in complaining and griping at the expense of those who defend our freedom can take a long hike to Canada or Mexico and stay there. We don't want them. (Actually, I wouldn't mind seeing these unpatriotic yuppi's being put in a raft and set afloat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean)

Edit: Another thought. The person who complained thought the military owed the community peace and quiet. If anything, he/she is the one who owes the military for dying for our freedom. The soldiers' sacrifice is the reason that he/she is able to shop at a mall in a free America.

Re: USAF Fly-by "Wake up call" - (very interesting article)

Hallsgator said:

Best part of the letter right here:

"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's awesome.

Click to expand...

Absolutely classic.

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

there is a bit more to it.