Posted on 06/08/2011 11:45:13 AM PDT by traderrob6
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
So Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. plagiarized? Please explain.
reposting:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
***LOVE IT! oooooh RAAAAAAHA! I’ll bet the turd who wrote the complaint is a nasty old liberal.....glad the Lt Col educated them.********
The best approach is to assume nothing — it’s a good idea to check out the facts before finding oneself embarassed, as the original writer did. The Snopes’ article is a heart-warming summary of the 2005 affair, and the response by the writer shows he participated in a “teachable moment.” I suppose after reading this recirculating urban legend account, you’ll want to apologize to him? Best regards — I’ve made the same kind of judgmental errors in the past — don’t be _too_ righteous (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18)
You gotta love that response. I live in the Tampa Bay area and MacDill AFB used to have a F-16 Training wing. I used to love seeing those jets fly by. You would see two or three trainees in formation and the instructor about a quarter mile back.
AIM HIGH! USAF!
P.S. Cant wiat for the AirShow @ MacDill, they moved it to November for cooler weather. I love military air shows, nice to see what my tax dollars are paying for.
I guarantee those jets were NOT flying a 500 feet.
Our superb Armed Forces know the risk, but I daresay that none of them join with the desire to die for their country.
Christ was born so that He might die for us. If it was never intended for Him to die, he would not have been born. He knew long before His crucifixion what his destiny was.
In fact He knew his fate when He reached the age of reason.
I had never seen this story prior. I figured it had probably been aroung for awhile so I stated up front”
“If you haven’t seen this it’s a treat if you have it’s worth a second read.”
Bottom line the story may have been around for a time but it’s legit and quite moving if you have never seen it before as (it appears) many of us have not.
According to SNOPES....this happened 6 years ago
“Christ was born so that He might die for us. If it was never intended for Him to die, he would not have been born. He knew long before His crucifixion what his destiny was.”
So you’re saying he didn’t have a choice?
Follwo the Snopes.com link at post #4.
Are you comparing a Divine Choice with that of a mere human being?
Just to satisfy you, I’ll say: “Yes He had the choice. His choice was made ‘In the Beginning’.
Wonderful.
Thx Thx.
We get the same thing in my town when at 6PM we test our
horns on the firehouses and when there is a fire
Idiots who moved into town from NYC piss and moan about the
noise not realizing that when you hear the firehorns going
off means we will be responding to an emergency
I’m unhappy that there aren’t enough air shows in my region. The thunderous roar of a military jet is one of the finest experiences I know. I go running to the windows when I hear military aircrafts go overhead. It tells me that there are still people with the courage and skill to defend this land.
Right, but then I’m taking Snopes word for it (didn’t see a link in Snopes to the source). I’d rather get as close as I can to the original source.
Let’s not get into a theological argument here cuz no-one ever wins.
I was just trying to get a handle on what you were saying.
First you stated: The latter had no choice, but the Former chose it freely. Meaning Jesus chose to die for our sins.
Then a few posts later you stated: “If it was never intended for Him to die, he would not have been born. He knew long before His crucifixion what his destiny was.”
That implies a predetermined fate devoid of choice. My question to you is which is it?
Right - just what I did.
Appropriate changes have been made and thanks to all who participated.
PS: The wonderful and ever vigilant folks at Free Republic have some additional info on this letter.
First it is about 6 years old. It’s legit but the author was a Lt. Col Scott Pleus not Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. and the last line was somehow added to the original by who knows who.
The complainant wrote a mea culpa back after discovering his indignation was heartily misplaced.
Nonetheless, this was a brilliantly written and moving letter that illustrates how us conservatives (sometimes) and liberals (most of the time)are so involved in our own little petty life annoyances that we fail to truly realize the monumental sacrifices that those unseen and unamed hero’s are making for us each and every day.
http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2011/06/e-mail-of-week.html
Worthy of a bookmark.
Is not the US Military ALL VOLUNTEER? Anyone signing up knows what may be the ultimate price paid but signs up regardless. God bless the best of the best.
Regards,
GtG
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