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
GREAT post. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing, excellent post!!
It's a true story although it did happen several years ago. I've received a circulating email with the story on several different occasions over the years.
I’d like to pass this on but unable to verify as the link posted doesn’t seem to work. Can you re-post a link to the original source of the story? Thanks.
McRae (the person who wrote the original letter) wrote a follow-up letter to the newspaper that was published on July 9 in which he apologized for his original complaint confirmed on TruthorFiction):
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
Sorry about that. It was an E-mail to my blog account this morn so I just posted it as is.
Here is the corrected LINK:
http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2011/06/e-mail-of-week.html
An apology from the heart to the airmen of Luke Jul. 9, 2005 12:00 AM 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, Peoria
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0709satlets2-091.html
That’s kind of old as it cites Mervyn’s department store which went out of business a few years ago. Also, the original text of this did not have the added-on text at the end about Jesus. Not that I’m down on Jesus, but I do take umbrage with whoever thought they were qualified enough to add to an original text that was outstanding on its own.
To his credit, he actually wrote another letter to the editor apologizing for his ignorance and insulting tone. The Snopes link has it.
Too bad, I thought that last line was particularly moving.
From the snottyness of the first letter it’s almost hard to believe that the later mea culpa was the same individual.
>>>Too bad, I thought that last line was particularly moving.<<<
It is. But just not appended onto the letter in question.
>>>From the snottyness of the first letter it’s almost hard to believe that the later mea culpa was the same individual.<<<
I saw similar things in Sacramento a few years ago when a lot of people improperly whined about the freeways being closed briefly (and snarling traffic) for two funerals. Then it was pointed out that the two funerals were for law enforcement who’d been killed in the line of duty and you could see righteous indignation turn into self-loathing shame in mere seconds.
Dangit!
That brought tears to my eyes.
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/azcentral/access/1788604121.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+24%2C+2005&author=&pub=Arizona+Republic&edition=&startpage=B.8&desc=%27WAKE-UP%27+FLIGHT+WAS+MEMORIAL+SERVICE
BUMPUS MAXIMUS!
>One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.<
.
The latter had no choice, but the Former chose it freely.
Not sure I agree with that statement 100%.
Not to diminish the unsurpassed gift of the Lord but our boys knew and know the risks going in so their sacrfice is not devoid of choice.
Reading this, and getting to the signature, I thought it had happened again, and someone had plagarized the original author. I remembered this was written by Scott Pleus, because I knew Scott back when he was a ROTC cadet.
I’d say both had a choice.
Jesus died for our souls, but he had a choice.
Every airman, soldier, sailor and marine have a choice as well - to join up, or not.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.