OT; Noise complaint - Page 2

>
> http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
>
> Snopes says true.

> Subject: : Noise Complaint at 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:**
> 'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the
> morning air show? Last Wednesday, at 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'
> (Letters, Thursday):
> 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
> --
> Steve Nunes@ Noon-Air Heating & A/C
> Noon-Air@comcast.net
> 601-794-2992
> 866-Noon-Air
> Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons because, to them,
> you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.