Letters To The Editor

[GameHauler]

This is outstanding

 

 

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded bycivilization 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 theback. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrotethe 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 lowpass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road atapproximately 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. FresquesasI gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of theUnited 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 offreedom. 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 airshow? 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....JesusChrist and the American Soldier.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

 

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

 

USAF

 

 

[KGAINES]

A big congratulations to Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr., you know that the person who asked for the response never expected one, and for sure never expected that one. Unless the person who wrote the original complaint is a foreigner or anti American he has to feel like crap right now and rightfully so.

God Bless our troops.

[Mr. Jonathan]

Excellent. Absolutely excellent.

[Snapshot]

There are some people in this world, that if you handed them a suitcase full of gold, they would complain about how heavy it is.

 

I have jet fighters fly over the area that I live everyday, and some are quite low, but I give them a big thumbs up because it is my freedom they protect, and the noise is a minimal price to pay for that freedom.

[TwoGuns]

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF is my hero.

 

GOD, BLESS OUR TROOPS...AND FOGIVE THE IGNORANT LETTER WRITER.

 

[Non-Typical Solutions]

Thanks to the troops for taking care of us..........and condolences to the family of a fallen father, friend and battle partner......