Good Story....makes you think

Noise Complaint at Luke AFB, AZ
Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and itsplanes, forgetting that it was there long before they were.
A certain Lieutenant Colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on theback. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrotethe local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/herday at the mall.
When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, itmust 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 precisely9:12 a.m, a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rdFighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt.Jeremy Fresques.
Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationedat 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 andfriend.
Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because ofthe jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the pl ayingoftaps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gavethemtheir son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and allthose veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrificestheyhave endured.
A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives tothose who give their lives in defense of freedom.
We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to paytheir 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 yourthanksto the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, forit was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formationoftheir lives.
Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....JesusChrist AND the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF