I was trying to come up with an appropriate message for July 4th when a friend forwarded this article to me. We are privileged to have such excellent military protection that many in our country take them for granted or even resent them. We are so spoiled that it is easy to take our freedom for granted.
Anyone who has ever served in the armed forces knows very well that freedom has never been free. They are the ones who secure freedom for us. They are the ones who often willingly pay the ultimate price for our freedom.
This article is a good reminder of how self indulgent our population has become and how little most appreciate our military. They deserve much better.
I only know that this article was published in a local paper somewhere in the Phoenix area. I apologize for not being able to give them proper attribution.
“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 am, 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 am. 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 service men 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….
JesusChrist and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF”
My thanks to Lt. Col. Rosensteel and his men.
I hope you enjoy Independence Day. Remember how we got our freedom and those who continue to protect it.
