Thank You Col. Rosensteel - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Smurf · 12-04-2008, 05:01 PM

Thought this was worth posting. The religious comment at the end, is not meant to offend anyone.

Subject: FW: Noise Complaint at Luke AFB, AZ
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> Noise Complaint at Luke AFB, AZ
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> 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. (Only a few years ago , Luke was totally
> surrounded by nothing but cotton fields and farms.)
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> A certain Lieutenant Colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back.
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> 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.
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> When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must
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> have stung quite a bit.
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> The complaint:
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> 'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:
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> 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?
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> Any response would be appreciated.
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> The response:
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> Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' on 15 June 2008, precisely 09:12
> 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.
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> Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at
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> Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on 30 May 2008, Memorial Day.
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> At 0900, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun
> City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.
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> 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 rifle 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.
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> A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who
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> give their lives in defense of freedom.
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> We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously; on 15 June what
> the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their
> respects.
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> 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 we will thank them for you, for it
> was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their
> lives.
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> Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus Christ and
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> the American soldier.
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> One died for your soul; the other for your freedom
>
> Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
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> USAF