For our military men and women

[Guest guest]

Subject: WOW, what a letter!

True Story……..

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.

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 t aps, 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, 'Who m 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