Great Story: Four Jet Fly-By

notoriouslyconservative.com ^ | 09 04 09 | Notoriously Conservative

[Notoriously Conservative]

From an e-mail I received. Whether or not this really happened is irrelevant, the moral is the same.

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 Murvyn's 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

Burn! Seriously though, lets not let our comfort and security lead to complacency and ego-centrism. Remember why you are safe and comfortable in your bed each night. It isn't the new sheets from Walmart, or the new furnace you bought with your annual bonus, it's the men and women in uniform, keeping our land safe and free.

Read More at Notoriously Conservative

[VastRWCon]

bump, great story

[Artemis Webb]

This is not exactly true. It’s a rehashed story from 2005.

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

[Tenacious 1]

Snopes said its good.

[Valpal1]

Zing Pow! Great story, thanks.

[Jim Noble]

Great story, and partly true.

It happened in 2005, there is no Col. Rosensteel, and the Jesus Christ reference is an invention (it's not in the original correspondence).

[Notoriously Conservative]

Like I said in the begining, “Whether or not this really happened is irrelevant, the moral is the same.”

Also, are you seriously referencing snopes? Give me a break.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

This is from Snopes... ;-P

To his credit, the complainant, Mr. MacRae, tendered a written apology which was published in The Republic on 9 July:
Regarding “Flyby honoring fallen comrade” (Letters, June 28):

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, Peoria6

[pacific_waters]

When I’ve lived near a flyby area I’ve been quite hapy to hear them and see them. They stand between us and enemies. As a ‘Nam vet Mr. MAcCrae shiuld relaize that.