OT - One for the vets, flyboys in particular

Posted by ShepFL on April 11, 2006 at 11:56:59 from (155.14.118.68):

Jarhead buddy sent this to me via email and I thought I would share here. Hope everyone is well. Me? Up to my arse in gators at work; more cutbacks and living on 99 cent heart attacks in between airport trips.

Meanwhile back on my head,
ShepFL

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" (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 Air Force Base, Arizona

Replies:

• The Rest of the Story - OT - One for the vets, fly nballen02 15:18:13 04/11/06 (0)
• Re: OT - One for the vets, flyboys in particular Sloroll 12:06:34 04/11/06 (2)
  • Re: OT - One for the vets, flyboys in particular krazy-ken 14:00:41 04/11/06 (1)
    • Re: OT - One for the vets, flyboys in particular Broomstacker 19:18:01 04/11/06 (0)

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