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[erniezap]

A Wake Up Call From Luke AFB, AZ
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 10:10 PM

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-16's 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-16's 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 9a.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

My hats off to Lt. Col. Scott Pleus! 

[RJ749]

Based on Snopes the above is true and actually happened in 2005.

As to the point of the original letter writer he followed the letter from the Lt. Col. with this:

McRae wrote a follow-up letter to the newspaper that was published on July 9 in which he apologized for his original complaint:

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

[hard10]

The sign outside of the gates to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort reads:

The 'noise' you hear is the sound of FREEDOM

We are very proud of our service men & women!

[Fired00d]

The sign outside of the gates to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort reads:

The 'noise' you hear is the sound of FREEDOM

We are very proud of our service men & women!

OOH RAH!!!! Semper Fi!!!

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[SOKOOLJ]

Let me be the first on this thread to say THANK YOU for your service and sacrifices.  USAF 76-80

I must thank YOU, for your support. One thing is for sure, service members all know how much we are appreciated across this land, despite the media reports. And we all understand that there is a separation between the administration and the troops, and it is unfortunate. I can't imagine what the boys went through when they returned from south-east asia. They too are my HEROES!

[CVOJOE]

The 'noise' you hear is the sound of FREEDOM

   

[cuthbertss]

I must thank YOU, for your support. One thing is for sure, service members all know how much we are appreciated across this land, despite the media reports. And we all understand that there is a separation between the administration and the troops, and it is unfortunate. I can't imagine what the boys went through when they returned from south-east asia. They too are my HEROES!

I feel the need to respond to this as well with my experiences....
in the last several years i am approached almost daily by some citizen who wants to shake my hand and thank me for my service.  This means more to me than I will ever be able to express to them, and I graciously accept their thanks as best as I can for the young men and women who are doing the heavy lifting.

I am a staff guy, in an office buidling.  I have been there and done that, but not lately.  But I always express to these citizens my thanks on behalf of the fine Soldiers in harms way today.  Thanks to all of you and all of them for caring

[PHAZE]

Thanks to all who have served and are currently serving!

[theslash]

Your Welcome
and thank you for thanking us