Com-Central.net

I got this in an email and wanted to share it:

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

Least we forget, our troops whereever they are stationed, and for whatever reason will always have my respect and prayers. It would be just grand to bring them all home safe and sound, but being a vet, and also having a marine in the service now, my daughter, I know sadly, that they have a job to do and I respect them for it. May GOD keep them safe. I am very proud of our servicemen & women, as I am of all vets and active service of all the free nations.

RAAF453_Wolfe CO
Petty Officer 2nd class
SM2 Poole
USS Stephen W. Groves FFG-29
1983-1986

Hope this was the right forum board to post this..

Amen...

great letter

- Wolfe

Hope this was the right forum board to post this..

Any forum is the right place to post it

As worthy is the reply from the orginator of the complaint:

"McRae wrote a follow-up letter to the newspaper that was published on July 9 in which he apologized for his original complaint:"


"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"

There is always two sides to every story

Very worthy reply, maybe the wording in the complaint could have been better? Anytime military aircraft fly over I see it as a thrill, never thought of the noise, must come from all the flight-ops I did in the navy..

Military JET noise is always good noise. Lets me know they are on watch for us.