[savedbygrace]

This was the apology which was published in The Republic on 9 July:

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.

Tom MacRae, Peoria

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for posting that! I still think the guy is a jerk — if he had bothered to look up, he would have seen the Missing Man formation.

You live near a base and you get noise. When Grenada happened, we had 141’s flying over the house out of Norton AFB one right after the other — loud but knew something was up.

[xsrdx]

That had to leave a mark..

A well stated apology though, nicely done.