I received this today from my daughter stationed at Bagram Airbase Afghanistan

[Anonymous]

True Story.....


Background:
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-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 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 Scott Pleus USAF

The apology: Thanks Marc

To his credit, the complainant Mr. MacRae, tendered a written apology which was published on 9 July:

Regarding “Flyby honoring fallen comrade” June 28

I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the responses to my unfortunate letter to the Republic concerning an Air force flyby. I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would have 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 the 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 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 US 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

Moderator's Note: http://www.thefinalrollcall.us/List01.html

[SPARKY101]

I feel a big huge grateful thanks when i see the fighter jets flying above me..4 formation or not...I have been paid respect twice from the pilots on the waters of riffe and swafford in return to my salutes to them as they tipped there wings during their fly through the valley..Believe it or not they tipped the wing and saluted back..It was so AWESOME!!!! and i will never forget the good days of fishing with my dad"6years served" for the kokes and browns:salut:

[scott080379]

I enjoy any sound of the military..............as I am still serving. let me tell you that when you are in a battle and you here a jet it is such a welcoming sound. Evenwhne here back at home and you see and here one, I get chills down my spine and thank god for our military men and woman serving our great country.

So make the noise, stand proud and carry on.

For those who dn't like it................ suck it up and get over it.


have a great day and enjoy your freedom.

[Marc Martyn]

The person writing the complaint, a Vietnam Veteran, publicly wrote another letter to the paper profusely apologizing for his statements.

Below is a link to the full account of this incident:

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

[Rosann G]

I always love to hear the sounds of military aircraft, be it planes or helicopters, flying over the house. Lots of times I'll run out and watch, it makes me feel good to know they are up there. I want them to be really good at their jobs so if and when they end up in harms way they will know what to do. It makes me really mad to hear people complain about the noise they create keeping us safe. It especially makes me mad to hear people complain about an honor fly- by for a brave soldier that has died serving his/her country.
Thank you to all of you serving in the military!!
Rosann

[mav186]

I love to hear stories such as these. My father earned his wings while serving at Luke for the 56th TAC Fighter Wing…he went on to serve 4 consecutive tours piloting his F-105 Thud achieving 4 DFC’s…only to return home to take his final flight in a F-106 near Mt. Rainier in 1969. My father died doing what he loved and thank-you all who pay your respects…in whatever way that is.

[tmusky1]

Awesome story, thank you very much for sharing it.

[Pradeep]

Big D - Thanks for sharing this story.
I grew up in NY and Sept 11th is grained in my brain. Since then, I look at police officers, fire fighters and the men and women of our armed forces that protect this country with a whole different level of respect. I happen to work in a field that allows me the honor of supporting branches of our military with training equipment and am grateful every day to those men and women for the work that they do to help keep us and our families safe. Hats off to each and every one of you that do or have served this country of ours.

For those that may be interested, I watched a movie recently called "taking chance". Based on a true story. If you get the time, check it out.

Respectfully,
Pradeep.

[someguyseattle]

Interesting post and thanks for it. Good story.

Couple things from my perspective cause I'm feeling chatty:

1) Absolutely hats off to those serving or who have served in the military. For the folks still in harms way, be careful and come home safe. Regardless of how anybody might feel about the whys and what have you for why our folks are there, they are nevertheless there and need to be supported.

2) I'm a sucker for jets. For me, a 9:00 am flyby would be a great way to start the day. Not this particular flyby, but you get my point.

3) On things jet, saw something interesting go over the Sound last night around 6 and don't know if anybody else caught it. It was a pure delta wing fighter that zipped on over heading NW. Since we don't have any in operation that I'm aware of, I was thinking maybe it was a Mirage or something which kinda begs the question of what was it doing here - just visiting Boeing Field?

[clam man]

Someguy,

not sure what you would consider "pure delta wing" but there are frequently friends from other nations who fly large excercises in nearby states. I participated in many of them. Three jets in the local area that have large swept wings, are F-18 superhornets at whidbey, F-15s from Idaho, Oregon, etc. and F-22's headed up to alaska. The F-22 looks the closest to delta wing.

A jet flying NW is headed in the direction of whidbey, or comox depending on what part of the sound you were located in, or it could have just been a plane flying on an approach vector...or just out sight seeing.

I would suggest doing some internet searching to match the plane. What leads me to believe that you probably saw someone's private jet (ex military, etc...) was that it was flying single ship. Usually military aircraft travel in sections, although there are always frequent exceptions. Case in point...there are only three or so Hornets up at whidbey, so they often fly as singles....

Can't catch any fish looking at the sky!!

[clam man]

Just after I logged off, I recalled flying with and seeing European air force "eurofighter typhoons" down at Nellis air force base in Vegas. It is a pure delta aircraft, and it might be flying north for an air show or to participate in an alaskan excercise.

just a thought.

[islandbass]

That is a great story. To me, perhaps because I am a retired military brat, the sound of roaring and thundering jet engines is appealing to my ears. I chuckle every time the yearly complaints about the "noise" the blue angels make. If that is noise, then I want to hear it all the time.

[racfish]

I cant wait for Seafair and the Blue Angels.I love the feel and smells from the Angels.Im both very proud of the pilots and our country.I did not serve and regretted it most of my life.It dosent make me any less proud of our great USA Forces that protects us.G-d Bless them ALL.

[MikeFishes]

Reminds me that the Seafair airshow is coming up. :-) Also reminds me that there's a few people out there who don't like the noise.