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 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by 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 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 servicemen 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....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
23 comments:
Idiot had the exact time noted at 9:11 and couldn't figure it out?
Kind of makes me wonder if this isn't one of those Internet legends because I can't believe anyone stupid enough to write this would have noted the time to be exactly 9:11 and not have figured it out when they wrote it down.
There are a lot of ungrateful people in this country that have no idea the sacrifice military persons endure on a daily basis so they can spew their hate. LIBERALS!
AMEN
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
This also has the return letter from the original author apologizing.
Very well written response. Americans are so ungrateful.
Col. I would like to comment on the fact that being that my brother was a Bird Ool. I thank you for standing up for what is happening with our Country. It would be a pleasure to meet or talk to you. as I know in the Military it took GUTS to wight that kind of reply. My name is Jim Polenske and I live in Phoenix, Az.
Thank you again.
jpolenske@live.com
I would like to thank Lt. Col. Rosensteel for his courage to write this "politically incorrect" response to the original person who had his/her shopping mall experience interrupted for a few moments. I served in the USAF during Vietnam and my step-son is an F-16 pilot who was also stationed at Luke AFB and will be doing his second tour of duty in Iraq this September. It seems that each succeeding generation of "Americans" is more and more ungrateful to our heroes who have served or continue to serve our great country so that we can enjoy shopping freely at the mall. Lets not take this freedom for granted. This freedom may soon be gone in America due to where this great country is headed politically. Thank God for Lt. Col. Rosensteel's courageous letter.
THANK GOD THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WILLING TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR US. THIS IS NOT THE 70'S....OUR MILITARY IS "ALL VOLUNTEER". WE HAVE TURNED INTO SUCH AN UNGRATEFUL NATION. EVERY TIME I SEE A MILITARY PLANE OR CHOPPER OR SOLDIER I AM SO THANKFUL AND PROUD!!!!KUDOS TO THE LT COL AND "SHAME ON YOU" TO THE MORON WHO WROTE THE COMPLAINT.
I just read the letter Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr wrote and it gave me chills. He is an amazing man for standing up for our soldiers like he did. I just wanted to thank him for not taking crap off some ungrateful jackass.
Jacke
Ocala, FL
WOW!!!I cannot believe that a United States citizen would be so UNGRATEFUL for the F-16's and for our MILITARY!And to think it "ruined" his/her 2 minutes in the mall! I will tell you I get CHILLS all over my body when an
F-16 or any Military plane flies over, I absolutely LOVE IT, and feel PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN because of it! NOISE...well you people in AZ need to GET OVER IT!!! IT IS LIFE!!!!!
Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. I am PROUD of YOU for STANDING up to what is RIGHT!! You are a GOOD MAN and YOU deserve "THE BEST"!!!!!
Good for you, I really admire your courage!
unfortunately believe it or not there are a lot of people that are that ignorant, and they need to realize that this world does not revolve around them. to put it frankly whomever it was that complained needs to pull their thumb out od their ass, besides 9:11 am is late in the morning as far as i;m concerned.
Thank you Lt.Col.Rosensteel
Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
Please tell the family that we are forever grateful and that we do honor our freedom. I live near a Dobbins AFB outside of Atlanta GA. I love to hear the aircraft fling over. I feel safe with the greatest Air force in the world protecting us.
Thank you and God bless the men and women that serve us.
Robert
Great story about a great American. Just curious, but who died and said everything on Snopes is or isn't true or false?
Peace out............
I would like to THANK YOU Lt.Col.Rosensteel. Thank you for speaking out for our servicemen and women of our armed services. I am a former Marine and thank God everyday for the freedom we have. My heart and prayers go out to Capt Fresques's family.
Ya know, as a former military wife, daughter and a resident of Phoenix Az, this really makes me a bit angry! Some people do not know what it is like to serve our country or be placed in a position of service for our FREEDOM!
Our services men and women pay the ultimate price with their lives for our freedom and that one person who only cares about his or her shopping day at Arrowhead mall should be ashamed of themselves!
I'm am just so greatful to the Lt. Col who wrote back ensuring that this person will never, ever forget where their FREEDOM to shop at Arrowhead Mall in AZ came from.
We need to remember, just because it's called FREEDOM; it's not FREE! A father, mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, husband, wife, daughter, son, cousin, neice, nephew, and lets not forget the in laws whom all gave and committed some part of their lives, families life for all of us including YOU!
I do have to say as as resident of AZ, I am ashamed of those cry babies, whiners who live in this state FREE and enjoying life with their families, while others like our service men and women who are working 24-7 without their seeing or being with their families are fighting and dying for us and can't enjoy their FREEDOM UNTIL THEIR JOB IS DONE!
So next time you decide to whine, cry or complaint about a little noise just remember you may just find out it's because someone has died for your and YOUR FREEDOM!
Thank you Lt. Col. Rosensteel Jr.
This is the 2nd time I recieved this in my email. Lt. Col. Rosensteel, you are a true American who believes in his country and what all of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for this country. God Bless YOU and the United States Military. We have a non-profit organization in NV: Homeland Heroes "serving those who served" where we help our Veterans and active duty military families. We are having a cake cutting ceremony for the USAF 62nd Birthday on 09-18-09 and have also been invited to the Nellis AFB for the POW/MIA ceramony on that day. WE WILL be thinking of you on this very powerful ceremonial day.
Thank you for your service to protect this country!!
Denise Pilkington
Thank you Lt. Col. Rosenstell Jr.
1343 hrs
This is the first time that I have received this email but not the first time that I have heard complaints about our military forces. The complaints always come from those that have never served nor any family member so they have no idea of the sacrifice that our military personnel and their families make.
My husband is retired Air Force and my son has severed two tours in Iraq and I am one of the fortunate ones that did not lose either of them. Instead of complaining society should be grateful of what we have due to the many soldiers that have lost their lives and to the family members that give them support to perform their duties every day near and far away from home.
I would like to say thank you to Capt. Fresques and his family for the ultimate sacrifice they have made for all of use to enjoy the freedoms that we have. Thank you and to all the active and inactive service personnel we would not have the liberties that we have if it were not for them.
Bless you Lt. Col. Rosensteel, and all the American soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect OUR FREEDOM!!! Such self-absorbed, disrepectful people such as the individual who had the audacity to make such an effort to insult our armed forces should move to another country, then rethink the stupidity of their letter.
This story is true, buts lets give credit to the right name shall we. There is nobody named Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.. The person you should be thanking is Lt. Col. Scott Pleus.
God Bless America!
you all might want to google Grant L Rosensteel. According to one article I found, the complainer was former U.S. Navy and a Vietnam Veteran. He has since apologized and admits his error.
Personally, I live about ten miles north of the base. Those jets almost never fly over my home. But, every once in a while, they manage to do so, and are they noisy! And that comment is from a former US Marine and F-4 Phantom RIO. I LOVE the sound of military jet engines. But those suckers are still NOISY!!!
Semper Fi!!
God bless Lt. Col. Rosensteel, all those in his command and in our military. It is a shame we still have individuals in this country who complain about our military without thinking about the daily sacrifices our service people make from being away from their families to getting shot at. Also remember they voluntered to serve. I live near an air base in PA and everytime I see or hear a military plane flying overhead I am proud of the flight crews and geatful to them.
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