Rosen: Flyby . . . foot in mouth (Luke Air Force base)

"Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at approximately 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 Mervyn's early-bird special? Any response would be appreciated. - Tom MacRae, Peoria, AZ"

"On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship 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 flyby, 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 flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays 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 56th Fighter Wing will call 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.

"Lt. Col Scott Pleus, Commanding Officer, 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base"

All of us have put our foot in our mouth at one time or another and wished we could erase something we've said in ignorance. You can imagine how Tom MacRae, the original letter writer, must have felt. I give him credit for this apology, which The Arizona Republic printed July 9:

"I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my unfortunate letter to the Republic concerning an Air Force flyby. 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.

In a four-ship flyby, the formation flies straight and level over the gravesite. Then, while the other planes continue to fly straight ahead, the No. 3 plane pulls away, symbolically toward heaven.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Lindsey Fresques is Capt. Jeremy Fresques' widow. They were married barely a year and passed their first anniversary half a world apart - she in Florida, he in Iraq.

This is yet another reminder for the rest of us about the sacrifices our servicemen and women - including the great majority who come home safely - are making for their country. They deserve our gratitude, admiration and respect. And much more.

1st; God bless and keep the family of the Husband, (father?) Son that was lost. May they receive comfort and solace.

2nd; As a USAF Pilot myself I am enraged at such ignorant displays which are often never resolved. However I must say that the fourthright, and seemingly honest reply from the letter writer warms my heart. No, not all get the word that such an even is about to happen or that it will happen, but great was the respect that flowed from one who when confronted with the truth was honest enough and honorable enough to reply as he did.

Much was learned by a lot of citizens that day.

Much is owed to the sacrifice of a life lost in honor.

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.

Well, at least he had the ba!!s to apologize. However, you would think that a Navy man and Viet vet would have a little more "tolerance" and appreciation, especially living near an air base.

I've never been in the military (4F), but I live in close proximity to 1.) a major Army installation and 2.) a major Air Force base. It is not unusual to have my house literally shaken, for hours at a time- at all hours of the day and night- by the howitzer explosions from our troops training at the Army base. The concussions are so heavy that I shrugged off the last major earthquake we had here as probably just some of the army training explosions- until the shaking lasted way longer than any series of artillery shells last.

Being in the flight path of the Air Force base, we are constantly having fighter jets, C-130's, C-117's, etc. flying over. A small four-ship contingent of F-16s making a flyover would hardly catch any attention here.

Many times, when listening to the explosions or aircraft at 1:00 am at night, I think "there's the sound of Freedom again". I am not in the least discomfited by the sounds and I would never write a noise complaint about any of it. I'm rather proud of the fact that we have the finest military on this planet, and if it means putting up with a little noise sometimes, it's worth it. Beats having the explosions and rifle fire in our local streets coming from those who would take our freedom away from us.

I'm certain that Mr. MacRae regrets writing his letter now, but maybe he should have had a little patience and remembered back to his days of active service. And if he doesn't like the "noise" of being close to an air base, then maybe he should consider moving.

And I really appreciate Lt. Col Scott Pleus' well-tempered response to Mr. MacRae's ill-thought diatribe.

My greatest and heartfelt gratitude and thanks go out to all of the men and women- and their families- who are serving their country and laying their lives on the line so that people like Mr. MacRae can live quietly without having the explosions of the enemy artillery and flyovers of enemy aircraft disturb his morning coffee.

It never ceases to amaze me, the hutzpa of a-holes who move next to an airport, military base, racetrack or other "noisy" facility, and then who complain unceasingly about said noise.

As a great philosopher once said, "What a maroon!".

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