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 theback. 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 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 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 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....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Lt.. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF
How ALL phones SHOULD be answered!
GOOD MORNING, WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ..........
Please Press '1' for English.
Press '2' to disconnect until you learn to speak English.
And remember only two defining forces have everoffered to die for you,Jesus Christ And the American Soldier
It is so very difficult to even hope for a consensus point in a society that
is so very opposed (percentage wise) to America's military involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, and potentially in Iran/Pakistan with the need to honor the fallen soldier who exhibited sacrifice, bravery, and honor in the duties he or she performed.
This goes back to Vietnam and to a certain extent the Korean War.
I recall so very well as a youth in West Texas the esteem held for World War 2 veterans yet the absence of comment or feeling exhibited to Korean War veterans. There was a man named Bob (cannot recall his last name) in our little town who lost his lower right leg in Korea. If anyone asked a question about how and where he lost his leg it was as if he experienced a disease people did not want to talk about.
I do not want to upset veterans of Korea or any other members of the forum with my post. However, I am stating what I experienced as a youth.
One of my strongest memories of the Vietnam era concerns a former resident of our city and career Army officer Major Hal Mann. A picture appeared in our local newspaper of him receiving some type military honor.
I asked my mother about it. She replied, "Oh, he got shot up in Vietnam."
As far as I know that was the extent of comment or interest by the community at large.
The Air Force base and the people in it are constant physical reminders, although it is not fair to those involved, of our nation's foreign policy.
kregg, Many thanks for the post! Wish I could have been there when the complaintant read the response! aj b
nathangdad, Your right, people have to learn and understand "Hate the War, NOT the Warrior!" Does anybody really
believe that soldiers went to war to fight because they just wanted to kill people? People have to learn and understand
just what these people gave! Most if not all have wounds that only the LORD above can heal! We can only show our
respect for what they did in the past and for what they are doing now! aj b
kregg, Many thanks for the post! Wish I could have been there when the complaintant read the response! aj b
nathangdad, Your right, people have to learn and understand "Hate the War, NOT the Warrior!" Does anybody really
believe that soldiers went to war to fight because they just wanted to kill people? People have to learn and understand
just what these people gave! Most if not all have wounds that only the LORD above can heal! We can only show our
respect for what they did in the past and for what they are doing now! aj b
Well put, as I recall, the American fighting men/women who find themselves in harms way on our behalf dont care a lick about the politics that got them there. They care about the lives of the people fighting beside them and the ones they left at home. God bless them all.
lobo311, in answer to you sig. . . when they wake up, the first thing they do is take their stupid pill! aj b By the way, thanks for the kind words! God Bless!
__________________ GOD Bless America I can't type and my keyboard can't spell! Oh well!
To some of you people who don't care what our Veterans go through, this is your right. The price was paid by our Military in the terms of dead, wounded, destroyed material, and Veterans who made it back in one piece so you could have this freedom. But Mister, you can mark this: Show any kind of disrespect for anyone in uniform or to my Country's Flag and you have my 70 year old a-- to whip for I AM sure going to try to whip yours.
It’s unfortunate that there exists a consensus, even though U.S. forces are operating around the world in support of the GWT and other missions, that the Armed Forces is just a a source of air shows, parades, and a shot at the GI Bill. Nothing is further from the truth. I was in and out of the armed forces from the immediate post-Vietnam era to the Iraq War. There is a sense of commitment in the armed forces personnel in this generation that transcends just the old fraternal loyalties to buddies; perhaps because there are so many young service personnel who are married and supporting families and who not only know what is happening in the world, they live it while it happens. In Iraq, I heard young twenty-somethings say things like, "I'm here so my children won't have to finish the job," or "I would rather fight them (jihadists) here, than in our neighborhoods, schools, and main streets back home." That is the difference between the warrior and the apathetic citizen. They see war for the necessity that it is. Tragically, there are so few of them in comparison to the rest of the country. Hopefully, today’s warriors will be tomorrow’s leaders.
__________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Was "Your" Voice Heard Today? NRA-ILA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not me! I'm gonna be standing right next to windwalker trying "positive" reenforcement to make people see the light! Even if the story isn't true, we all know that there are people out there that just haven't got a clue! aj b
__________________ GOD Bless America I can't type and my keyboard can't spell! Oh well!
Good Post! Some folks need a reminder of what makes trips to the mall and all the luxuries and freedoms we have in this country a reality!
Even if some of the stories like this that get out have been fabricated, they all share a theme of reverence and reflection that should rise above all differences in this country and humble folks to realizing the sacrafices that have been and are still being made for this great country by ordinary citizens answering the call and doing extraordinary things.
__________________ Most of my life I've spent hunting,... the rest of it I've just wasted
There really isn't much I can add to these comments. As a Vietnam Era vet myself, I know what it was like during that time. The only reason I personally didn't get a lot of abuse is because I reenlisted while in SEA so I was able to avoid much of the anti military knotheaded, pot smoking dumbs**ts that were running around at the time.
It absolutely appalls me that some people today still have such a selfish, self-centered attitude that it is an "inconvenience" or "disturbance" when those jets go by and have enough nerve to be noisy. Thankfully I live in an area around Hill AFB that appreciates what sacrifices have been made and shows respect for veterans.
Oh BTW windwalker, you will have some company from this 62 year old when you are ready to kick some disrespectful buttocks.
To some of you people who don't care what our Veterans go through, this is your right. The price was paid by our Military in the terms of dead, wounded, destroyed material, and Veterans who made it back in one piece so you could have this freedom. But Mister, you can mark this: Show any kind of disrespect for anyone in uniform or to my Country's Flag and you have my 70 year old a-- to whip for I AM sure going to try to whip yours.
God bless America again and her Veterans,,,these are men and women who stand on the wall and keep watch so that others may sleep in peace,,,Semper Fi 68-72
3Likes
GOD Bless America
reenforcement to make people see the light! Even if the story isn't true, we all know that there are people out there that just haven't got a clue! aj b
