Wake up call to America! This is VERY humbling...

I get a lot of forwards and typically delete them to protect our computer from viruses, etc, but this one from my Mom-in-law I had to share with you. Thanks Gloria~ :)

I checked it out and it is indeed a true story:

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

We were stationed at Luke AFB (actually that is where Scott and I first met) so it is near and dear to us and also because we have dear friends that are serving in the military as well as curretenly we know some that are deployed and this really made me think and be truly grateful that this was not my husband's formation of gunships flying over his grave....we are truly blessed and need to remember to thank our military for dedicating their lives to our country at the expense of losing their own lives and leaving their families behind to pick up the pieces. We continue to pray for our deployed to bring them home safe and sound~

True Story....

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and itsplanes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certainl 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/herday 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. 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 SunlandMemorial 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 ofthe 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

Apology letter from "disturbed citizen"...who by the way is retired military Navy Veteran himself-OUCH!

To his credit, the complainant Mr. MacRae, issued a written apology which was published in same newspaper on July 9:
--Regarding "Flyby honoring fallen comrade" (Letters, June 28)--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