May We Never Forget
Luke AFB, west of Phoenix, 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. An individual living near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16’s that disturbed his day at the mall.
The Complaint: Question of the day for Luke AFB:
Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 am, a tight formation of 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’ Awake- up call from Luke’s jets on June 15th, at precisely 9:12 am, a perfectly timed four- ship flyby of F-16’s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB flew over the grave of Captain Jeremy Fresques. Captain Fresques was an Air Force Officer who was previously stationed at Luke AFB and was killed in Iraq on Memorial Day.
At 9 am on June 15th, 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 Captain Fresques as I gave them their son’s flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those vetrans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.
Afour- ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom, We are professional avaitors and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15th what the letter writer whitnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.
The letter writer ask, ‘Whom do we thank for the morning air show?’ The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and foward 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. Plues
Luke Air Force Base
Only 2 defining forces have ever offored to die for you……….
Jesus Christ and the American Servicemen and Women. One died for your soul, the other for your Freedom.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Through outwardly we are wasting waay, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is tmeporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
