Every so often something comes in the inbox that just gives tremendous pause. I have a huge respect for all our military, especially those in the Air Force because my Dad was a Staff Sargeant in the Air Force... I was born into the Air Force.
On 8 June 2005 the following item appeared in the Albuquerque Tribune:
Air Force Capt. Jeremy Fresques, a Farmington native and Farmington High School graduate, joined a growing list of New Mexicans who have died in the war on terrorism, when the surveillance plane in which he flew crashed last week
Fresques was 26. He left behind a
Capt. Fresques was killed in the line of duty on Memorial Day 2005, a month before he was to return home, and news of his death was conveyed that day to
About a week later,
Of course we would do it. It's a four-ship formation. They fly straight and level over the gravesite and then, directly over the service, the
Everyone involved in such a service considers it an honor. The fliers. The honor guard. The bugler who plays taps. All of us.2
While preparing to head from Glendale to Sun City (a distance of about
A letter to the Editor;
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
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.
Tom MacRae, Peoria3
The correspondent received a response from
Luke Air Force Base was asked to respond to a letter writer's question about a "morning air show" he observed recently ("A wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, Thursday):
The "wake-up call" witnessed the morning of June 15 was a formation of
It is unfortunate that at a time when our nation is at war someone would believe we have less than honorable and professional reasons for such a mission.
The commander of the fighter squadron was given the difficult duty of informing the family of
On behalf of the men and women at Luke Air Force Base, we continue to keep Jeremy and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
Col. Robin Rand
Luke Air Force Base4
Four days later, the newpaper also published a reponse from
Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets":
On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship ofF-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 onMay 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 the21-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 onJune 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 call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents ofCapt. 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. Scott Pleus
Luke Air Force Base5
To his credit, the complainant,Mr. MacRae, tendered a written apology which was published in The Republic on 9 July:
On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship of
Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on
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
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
The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?"
The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of
Lt. Col. Scott Pleus
Luke Air Force Base5
To his credit, the complainant,
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.
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,
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
The URL SNOPES page is http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
Sources taken from the SNOPES page.
Sources taken from the SNOPES page.
1. The Albuquerque Tribune. "Editorial: Bouquets & Brickbats." 8 June 2005. 2. Montini, E.J. "Mission of Honor Managed to Fly Under Our Radar." The Arizona Republic. 26 June 2005. 3. The Arizona Republic. "A Wake-Up Call from Luke's Jets." Letters to the Editor. 23 June 2005. 4. The Arizona Republic. "'Wake-Up' Flight Was Memorial Service." Letters to the Editor. 24 June 2005. 5. The Arizona Republic. "Flyby Honored Fallen Comrade." Letters to the Editor. 28 June 2005. 6. The Arizona Republic. "An Apology from the Heart to the Airmen of Luke."
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