[Scan-DC] Luke AFB--AMEN !!!!!!!

[mdmonitor1 at verizon.net]

I apologize for taking up the bandwidth but I thought you would  like 
this.:






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
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




Ron
Baltimore MD