Respect for members of the Armed Services

I received an e-mail the other day that really showed how people can be so quick to judge our military. Since it is Memorial Day I figured it would be a good thread for people to read and help put some things in perspective.

I know many people on this site are anti-military but believe it or not there are many brave individuals that are out there risking their lives for the U.S.

Here is the story, the incident took place shorty after Memorial day last year.

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

True story. Bravo!

Snopes.com: Luke A.F.B. Fly-By

Be sure to read the apology letter from Mr. McRae, the complainant, towards the bottom of the page.

Very appropriate. I have read this before, but it's good to see it again.

The complaintant is a real jackass. How is it that a vietnam vet and former US Navy man has the audacity to complain about what is obviously a designed formation that even I could recognize as significant (former Army).
His apology was taken to heart until that paragraph. Bitter old men should not be let out in rural society if they plan to address every little discomfort of their day with such foul contempt.

Salutes go out to all that called this man on his complaint, poor attitude and comtemptable wordsmithing.

I live in a landing pattern for a major airport. So, I deal with jet engines every single day. I chose to live here, thereby choosing to live with the circumstances.