Very Cool Response for F-16 Flyover

[Rob Sherlin]

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 st ung 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 t aps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gav e 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

    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 ever  offered to die for you,  Jesus Christ 

And the American Soldier 

One died for your soul,   

The other for your freedom.

If you agree.......Keep it going

[Flying Pig]

Its a good letter, however, its several years old.  And there are different versions of it.  Ive seen it used with F-15's, F-18's and a couple of different names for the deceased.  Ive never heard if any of it was true or just an internet urban legend.

But I did find this....

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp

[Rob Sherlin]

 That sucks!!!.....It really touched my heart when I read that! To find out that it was several years old (maybe even fiction) ruins the whole thing. But, good research (or memory)!...at least I know now.

[Stonewall]

Yeah, sorry to burst your bubble but I'd say 95% of all those sentimental patriotic emails are 100% bravo sierra.

Since I'm like one of only 5 vets out 800+ employees where I work, I get emails like this all the time from co-workers.  I got this one twice in the 5 months I've been there.