Letter To The Editor Department - ThinnerTimes

Baron Patrick · 08-29-2007, 02:13 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-16s that disturbed his day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

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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."
Tom MacRae, Peoria

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 AFB

Polly D · 08-29-2007, 04:35 PM

in sign language that response would provoke something we call "gulp", which interpreted means, he sure put them in their place

Duckie · 08-29-2007, 08:26 PM

Excellent!

coptergirl · 08-30-2007, 05:40 AM

Great reply...

VanessaSFL · 08-30-2007, 06:22 AM

Hey Pat,

Great post.I sent it to my husband to repost on his US Army Paratrooper/ Ranger Forum.It hit home, they just lost an LT he served with in Italy .

Love my GI and have tons of respect for those who protect this fine country.

sdgrrl · 08-30-2007, 07:58 AM

Good answer!

Not to hijack toooooo much, Van, is your DH in the 82nd or the 101st? My dad was in the Screaming Eagles (101st) in Korea.

VanessaSFL · 08-30-2007, 08:06 AM

Hello Donna~

He was with the 82nd.He was in Italy for 6 years with the 325 and then he was at Bragg for 5 years with the 504.

We just had a reunion here at my home for the guys he served with Italy.
25 dupers in one house..needless to say...ahhemmm we flew Yia Yia to Florida and she took Nick ,our son,out to the Mid west for a lil' vacation

Deirdrea · 08-30-2007, 10:29 AM

That is just awesome! I love when people have to eat their words like that. Some people just really don't think. And well... if you're going to live near ANY kind of military base then suck it up and get used to the noise.

CeeCee · 08-30-2007, 10:42 AM

Thanks Pat. I just shared this with about 80 friends here at work. As I told them in my note, with Labor Day coming up, it doesn't hurt to be reminded who is doing the hard labor.

Jeri · 08-31-2007, 02:09 PM

I hope he felt like a moron when he read that response. Geez.