A few years old but a good story.

[Mr White]

Not really gun related but a good story.

It passes the Snopes test and there's a little more to it if you care to read it...

www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp

Luke AFB is southwest 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-wannabe's 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 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.

Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr

 

[SaMx]

not gun related, IBTL

but you left out

To his credit, the complainant, Mr. MacRae, tendered a written apology which was published in The Republic on 9 July:
Regarding "Flyby honoring fallen comrade" (Letters, June 28):

I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my unfortunate letter to The Republic concerning an Air Force flyby ("A wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, June 23).

I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would never have insulted such a fine and respectful display had I known.

I have received many calls from the fine airmen who are serving or have served at Luke, and I have attempted to explain my side and apologized for any discomfort my letter has caused.

This was simply an uninformed citizen complaining about noise.

I have been made aware in both written and verbal communications of the four-ship flyby, and my heart goes out to each and every lost serviceman and woman in this war in which we are engaged.

I have been called un-American by an unknown caller and I feel that I must address that. I served in the U.S. Navy and am a Vietnam veteran. I love my country and respect the jobs that the service organizations are doing.

Please accept my heartfelt apologies.

Tom MacRae, Peoria6

 

[Mt Shooter]

did I make it?

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Nice, but off topic.