Tim Green
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Burkburnett, TX
Posts: 514 |
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
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