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The
Wake Up Call
Luke
Air Force Base is west of Phoenix,
Arizona and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains
about the noise from the base and it's planes, forgetting that the base
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: "A
wake-up call from Luke's jets"
"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 Mervyn's early
bird special? Any response would be appreciated."
The response: "Flyby
honoring
fallen comrade"
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 service men 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
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
Contributed
by
Jeannie
Lovell
Defining
Moments
Archives
Copyright
© 2006, Jace Carlton. All International Rights Reserved.
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