I'm not sure about the rest of you, (I am sure most of you feel the same as me) but I live in the far west valley, near Luke Air Force Base. Whenever I see any of the jets in the air, I get an overwhelming sense of pride and patriotism, to the point that sometimes even my eyes well up with tears. Unfortunately, not all feel the same. Please read below to see what I mean. This is a piece of an email a very good friend sent me.
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 10:56 AM
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' (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 o f 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 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. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
'Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for
you.....
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom'
'Eternity is forever, it just happens to begin on
earth.'
This story pains me so much that I cried. We need to honor those serving our country. You can still support our troops without supporting the war. I bet the author of that complaint feels like the biggest jack @$$ in the world, as he truly should.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS! and I thank those four pilots that did the fly over! Thank you men for honoring our fallen soldiers, and thank you for the sacrifices you make so that jack@$$ has the freedom to say (or write) what he chooses.
♥ "LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RIDE" ♥--Gary Alan
What i don't understand
What i don't understand (like the article mentioned) is the Air Force base was there long before a majority of those homes. AZ is not the only place this has happened.
At one time we lived in San DIego and my family and i enjoyed watching the jets and helicopters.
The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge.
~ Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)
I hope this guy that
I hope this guy that complained feels like a piece of (inappropriate term) and has trouble sleeping at night.
If I lived in the area I too would feel pride and enjoy the "air show". It would be a great opportunity to educate my son on why they do what they do and be proud to be an American.
Also, what a quick witted response to the so called complaint. Love it.
Don't you just despise the
Don't you just despise the whiners who use their First Amendment rights --- which are protected and defended by brave soldiers --- to whine and complain about our soliders, while THEY sit fat and happy without ever DREAMING of serving their country because it's just too much to ask of the nihilistic, self-absorbed little cretins?
New to AZ --- and missing autumn leaves and the smell of apple orchards!
It's sickening what people
It's sickening what people will complain about. The Airforce showed amazing grace in a disgraceful situation. Kudos for them for taking the high ground in a situation where I personally would have sent an (inappropriate term) kicking! God Bless our troops today and always.
I live in the very east
I live in the very east valley, and we have a training facility near by, as well as a small airport that sometimes lands different types of planes. We get a lot of F15's flying over, and some of the coolest larger planes that I've ever seen. My husband was in the airforce so he tells me about certain planes. It's really cool. Are they loud... yes, does it wake up my daughter during her 2pm nap on the weekends .... yes, but I wouldn't change it. I think it's cool.
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette
I'm former military and live
I'm former military and live near Luke and LOVE the jets. We put the windows down so we can REALLY hear them when they roar by!
A couple of years ago, the Blue Angels were out here and they practiced for two days and performed for two--they flew about 30-40 ABOVE OUR HOUSE! IT WAS AWESOME!!
I think someone at the paper
I think someone at the paper that he wrote in to should divulge his name. Karma is a b.... and I am sure his remarks will come back to haunt him. How DARE this person talk about our military in any way, shape or form. Ship this person off to Iraq and let him live their because people in America do not want him here!!!!! This statement comes from a PROUD former Marine who served during Desert Storm!!!!!
mnchris...I'm the other
mnchris...I'm the other former Marine...but can't figure out how to email you???
Hi
Hi MarineMom...mnchris@cox.net lets chat!!!
I live in Surprise and get
I live in Surprise and get the opportunity to see the jets on a regular basis - I always get goosebumps when I see the four in formation. There are times when they fly lower than usual and I may have to wait a sec to finish a conversation but I am glad to do it.
I admire every single person in the military, from a cook to a fighter pilot, they have my respect.
God Bless America That guy
God Bless America
That guy is a (inappropriate term) as somebody noted...I agree with them. I too live in the west valley, actually just about 4-5 miles east of Luke. Altho we are not in the direct flight path, we do occasionally see the jets and hear the jets. I only wish I could see and hear them more. Because I am proud to be an American which aparently that guy isnt.
I have a funny story about
I have a funny story about the jets (and how loud a 4 year old can be!)...we were at the wildlife zoo, on a preschool field trip with my youngest daughter. One of Luke's jets flew overhead and another 4-year-old in the class talked so loud, you could hear her over the jet!!
I agree with all of the
I agree with all of the responses. When I lived in Surprise I too always, every time felt pride and safety when I heard the jets.. I said the same thing that other ladies said, that it is the sound of freedom. I've said the base was there first, the base is what ensures ignorant people the right to say what they say.
I had many a telephone conversation where both I and the person I was talking too paused and waited for the planes to pass over and then finished talking without a complaint.
This is however not the first time this has happened, I read in the paper about 2 years ago of a similar complaint and almost the exact same response from the air force. So unfortunately this is not the first person to complain.
I live in Phoenix now and so my family doesn't get to see or hear the plains anymore. Every once in a while a big military plane will fly around Deer Valley airport and we all try and knock each other down to get outside first to see the proud plane.
I wonder if the people who complain have ever thought that in other countries when you hear that sound a bomb comes after it??? Aren't we blessed?
My next question is how can we show are support to the services? When the war first started there was all kinds of info on how to do this, but now there's not. Anyone Know? Please post if you do.
God Bless the USA!
bookworm_mom ~ mommy of twins
Hmm. While I agree the
Hmm. While I agree the person who complained is a jerk, I am now questioning the validity of this story.
I saw this a year or maybe 2 years ago. Identical complaint, identical response. I don't recall if it was emailed to me or if I read it in the newspaper, but I find it odd that I read it at the same time of year as this time around. Wonder if this is just another one of those mass emails sent....
Just looked this up on
Just looked this up on Snopes.com and it appears to be an old story.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
Not excusing what the individual who wrote the letter did, but according to Snopes.com the individual who wrote the nasty letter apparently also wrote a letter to the AZ Republic apologizing and supposedly the apology was also printed in the AZ Republic. According to his apology he is also a Veteran and served in Vietnam.
I am going to let this go here....but if anyone wants to research this further, i guess the AZ Republic can always be contacted.
The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge.
~ Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)
Me, thank you for clarifying
Me, thank you for clarifying this. When I posted this I was unaware that it was an old story.
I guess I am the jack@$$ now because I was disrespectful to the original letter writer who is a Vietnam Vet and served our country as well, so I did the same thing I was angry at him for doing. Ouch. I am sorry and am eating my own foot now. But, in my defense, if he is a Vietnam Vet than he should have understood what those pilots were doing and knew what those four planes flying like that represented.
♥ "LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RIDE" ♥--Gary Alan
I was unaware myself and
I was unaware myself and only checked it out because another poster said she thought it was an old story.
Don't be too hard on yourself. I've learned the hard way myself a couple of times when forwarding emails. I have learned to check out one of the urban legend sites before forwarding the email.
Since everyone is so passionate right now about our country and the war, it's hard not to get emotional and angry when we hear/read stories like this.
I think your heart was in the right place when you posted this. ;0)
The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge.
~ Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)
Thanks a bunch. That means
Thanks a bunch. That means alot! =0)
♥ "LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RIDE" ♥--Gary Alan
I love jets and I don't care
I love jets and I don't care about the noise!
sure, fine, whatever
That article brought tears
That article brought tears to my eyes.
"You can still support our troops without supporting the war" - I couldn't agree more. I know exactly how you feel when you say you well up with pride and have tears - I feel that way when I am standing for our national anthem. I don't know if it is because I have family & friends that served/serve in the military or that my parents taught me to be respectful and proud.
I think this was an amazing quote ... 'Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom'
Thank you for posting.
You're welcome. =0)
You're welcome. =0)
♥ "LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RIDE" ♥--Gary Alan
This is such a sad story.
This is such a sad story. There will be someone that always complains about something in the day. We feel the same way. I have always loved to see the military planes. When we see them flying over our home in pairs, its just amazing to watch. Plus, our son now enjoys them.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
i grew up near a base as
i grew up near a base as well, and while the noise is not the best early in the morning, its something i got used to. and i did feel patriotic when i saw the jets flying by. these people that are complaining need to move.
discussion leader, mom of an 11 year old girl. At this time, she is trying to make it work between raising her and having a full time job!