This was an interesting post on Tanknet concerning a letter to the editor.
June 23, 2005
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
So, Luke AFB responded with the following:
Jun. 28, 2005
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 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
Luke Air Force Base
The writer is commander of the 63rd Fighter Squadron
May God bless Capt. Fresques and his family
Topic: A poignat response to a letter from the editor (Read 980 times)