Posted for "Dan Schaefer" <dfs155@roadrunner.com>:

 
  Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 5:20 AM
  Subject: Luke Air Force Base (west of Phoenix)
 
 
  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-wannabe's feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to
impress the cashiers at Mervyn's 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 he 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.
 
 
  Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. , USAF
 
 
  E. Anne Wasson d/b/a
  Executype Office Services
  Canandaigua, NY 14424