Letter to the Editor - A Wake Up Call

Ron

Ron

Dum Spiro Spero
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Location
Sharon, SC
A Wake Up Call From Luke AFB, AZ
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:
Quote:
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
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The response:
The next day:
Quote:
Luke Air Force Base was asked to respond to a letter writer's question about a "morning air show" he observed recently ("A wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, Thursday):
The "wake-up call" witnessed the morning of June 15 was a formation of F-16 jets from Luke Air Force Base lining up for a memorial service in Sun City at the gravesite for Air Force Capt. Jeremy Fresques, an officer assigned to Air Force Special Operations. Fresques gave his life in defense of our country while serving in Iraq.
It is unfortunate that at a time when our nation is at war someone would believe we have less than honorable and professional reasons for such a mission.
The commander of the fighter squadron was given the difficult duty of informing the family of Capt. Fresques on Memorial Day that the officer, a husband, son and Arizonan, had died in Iraq.
On behalf of the men and women at Luke Air Force Base, we continue to keep Jeremy and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
Col. Robin Rand
Luke Air Force Base
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Four Days Later:
Quote:
Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets" (Letters, Thursday): On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby 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 flyby, 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 flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays 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 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. Scott Pleus
CO 63rd Fighter
Squadron Luke AFB
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To his credit, the complaintant, Mr. MacRae tendered written apology, which was published 9 July 2005.
Quote:
I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my
unfortunate letter to The Republic concerning an Air Force flyby ("A
wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, June 23).
I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would never have
insulted such a fine and respectful display had I known.
I have received many calls from the fine airmen who are serving or have
served at Luke, and I have attempted to explain my side and apologized
for any discomfort my letter has caused.
This was simply an uninformed citizen complaining about noise.
I have been made aware in both written and verbal communications of the
four-ship flyby, and my heart goes out to each and every lost serviceman
and woman in this war in which we are engaged.
I have been called un-American by an unknown caller and I feel that I
must address that. I served in the U.S. Navy and am a Vietnam veteran. I
love my country and respect the jobs that the service organizations are
doing.
Please accept my heartfelt apologies.
Tom MacRae, Peoria
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"Pardon our noise, it's the sound of freedom", this is on the entrance to Marine Corps Air Station New River and I have seen it on the entrances to other air bases.


The only criticism I'd have to offer is that as a LtCol, he should know that there is no 21-gun salute given at military funerals, just a three round volley;)
 
The first thing the moron should have done before buying a house is HIS FREAKIN' RESEARCH!!!!!!!!! Don't like plane noise, don't live near any airport, military or otherwise. People like this piss me off to no end and in my opinion should have their assholes removed with a spoon. Back home we had a f'in nazi build a multi million dollar horse barn and riding arena across the river from a fully operational gravel pit and ready mix plant, then after moving in, sued the owner to shut it down because of the noise! Fortunately they are nicer people than me, 'cause the noise during the day would've been nothing compared to the noise at night. (Gotta kill them skunks with a 12 Ga. at midnight so they don't get my cat!)
 
open mouth...insert food, eating crow, United States of the Offended.....fawking dumbass....his apology would not mean dick to me if I were that officers son..
 
Well, I'll have to admit being a little frustated the first time a pack of Blackhawks flew over my house at treetop level in the middle of the night. My two Jack Russells were barking like crazy and going nuts. I moved to my wife's hometown here next to Fort Bragg... I never wrote any letters or made any phone calls though. Just part of the neighborhood here...we have an 11pm CSX freight train that passes through every night too.

I spent 6 yrs in the Navy on a Submarine, didn't see a whole lot of aircraft except at Airshows. "Been around the world and it looked like a Stainless Steel Gauge Panel"... I do however like the sound of turbos, turbines, afterburners, fog horns and train whistles.

It's Pretty Easy to take Freedom for Granted until you've been outside this country. I believe everyone should at least visit another country somewhere just to see how good we have it. Contrary to how awful & screwed up you may percieve things to be here...!!!

What really, really hits home for me is having some Active Duty neighbors & friends here, knowing their families, seeing their sacrifices. Especially the folks that have been in the thick of it. I am completely humbled hearing battle stories and seeing their wounds firsthand. Please remember these folks and their families when you see them... Shake their hand...
Tell em Thanks...give em a :beer:
 
RatLab called him out on his bed time so he tried to post one morning at 3 a.m. like a young buck. Must have screwed up his internal clock :)
 
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