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Thought I would share

Most everyone that knows me, knows I am in the Air Force and have been for 18 1/2 years. I love our country and most of all love serving in the military in the defense of our country. I will probably stay in the Air Force as long as I am able and they allow me to stay.

I travel all over the country with the F-22 Demo Team and get thanked on a routine basis, but the true thanks is to the American citizens that are supporting the military.

I want to personally thank each and everyone for their support of our troops that are fighting the global war on terror here in our country and abroad.

The following message was emailed to me this week from a fellow coon hunting friend of mine and I found it an interesting read. It also really makes you wonder why people in our country act the way they do and take so many things for granted.



Enjoy this small story that a friend of mine sent me:

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 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 airshow. 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. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF. 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.

__________________
Tim Green
Retired Air Force 24+ years
Disabled Veteran

AMEN!!!! That made me laugh and cry! God bless the American Soldier!

It does make you stop and think. We have buried 5 local sons here, we wish that they had not been killed but we must honor them and their families sacrifice.

__________________
Bill Harper
Washington, NC
252-944-5592

god bless america and the men and women in the armed service who figh fr our freeoms may god bless you all

__________________
the rooster will crow again.. keep them english and keep them looking up
email minihorse@hotmail.com

Great post !!!!

Tim, I work in Va Beach and hear the same thing every day about the Jets. If you dont like Jet noise, dont move next door to a base. The Military has a tuff job and Im Thankful that they are there to do it. If you want to hunt sometime, shoot me an email
Scott

__________________
Chesapeake, Virginia

THANK YOU!

Thanks to you and All who serve our country! We have some military flights go overhead here in MA from time to time... I know I pause for a moment if I'm outside and I look up at them with a thought and a prayer and a BIG thank you for the sacrifices made for each of us......

Thank you for sharing this, Heather And Bob

__________________
Home of the BIGCASTLEDAWGS
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i71/BIGCASTLEDAWGS/Websters%20First%20coon/IMG_0045.jpg

F-16

I MY SELF ENJOY SEEING THEM FLY OVER,THE LOWER THE BETTER.I DONT GET NEAR A PLANE BUT ENVY OUR FIGHTER PILOTS AND OUR TROOPS GOD BLESS THEM AND THE USA.

__________________
MICHAEL WOLFGANG (OVER THE HILL KENNEL.
PR MIKE,S SWEET SAVANNAH MAY,out of GRCH NTCH BRIAR CLIFF BATTLE

man, there ain't nothing better then seeing and hearing the fighters and carriers flying low manuevers through these WV Mountians, awesome display, just stop, enjoy, and salute!!

__________________
Team WILDFIRE
Eric Hardy
Powered By
WILDFIRE
If your dog is fat,you aren't getting enuff exercise!

That made me terr up.
Thank you for sharing it.

Bruce's wife

__________________
HOLLYWOOD KENNEL'S
BRUCE HUFFMAN
BARBARA
AUTUMN
SUMMER
www.freewebs.com/hollywoodkennels

We are stationed at Ellsworth AFB and surprisingly I never hear people complain of the noise from the B1B...
I'm sure a lot of it has to due with the difference in culture between South Dakota and Phoenix. Most people here, rather than complain, comment that it is the sound of freedom.

Tim, I have always siad it. I said it in the letter when we sent the picture of your daughter a couple years ago and I will say it now.

THANK YOU FOR SERVING

__________________
Dale Crigger
Get your Predator Light here... http://www.hoohoohollowredbones.net/PredatorLights.html

Visit us at www.HooHooHollowRedbones.net

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A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

Very cool. Thanks for posting it Tim.

__________________
If we're not suppose to eat animals, then why are they made out of meat?

You are welcome.

We are so fortunate to still have young people that have the courage to take on the challenge of defending our nation and the freedoms of others. Almost at every airshow I have attended over the last 2 years, I have had the opportunity to observe an enlistment ceremony or been a part of one. These ceremonies normally consist of about 30-40 young 17-18 year olds that have made a decision to join the military. I always share with them that I am so proud of them and it feels my heart with the strength of knowing that there will be someone behind me to carry the torch of our nation's defense even after we have retired.

It is an all volunteer force as we have not had a draft in many years and it is a great feeling seeing our young people full of courage.

Thanks again to everyone for supporting our troops and keeping the faith that eveyone will come home safe.

Tim

__________________
Tim Green
Retired Air Force 24+ years
Disabled Veteran

Better than excellent post. The Lt. Col. did an excellent job with his response. I hope the letter writer who complained pulled his head out of his backside and wrote the family a letter of condolence and thanks. I grew up near enough to Ft. Knox KY during the Vietnam era to hear helos and artillery regularly day and night sometimes. It was not a disruption to our lives but a regular reminder of those who serve getting their training.

Tim

Thank you and all service folks for defending our freedoms and thanks for sharing this story

__________________
Kevin Mathis
Mud Creek Treeing Walkers