[Vision2020] Something to think about.

[bear at moscow.com]

A Romanian Army Officer, that I served with overseas sent this one to me
this morning from Bucharest, and I thought I should pass it on.  PLEASE
remember that while yellow ribbons make you feel good, they just aren't
enough. The University still will not follow the State Law and give a
Veterans preference, maybe the new president will do something about it.


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' On June 15,2009,  at precisely
9:12 a.m . , 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. 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, 2009,  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 fly by, 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 fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those
who give
their lives in defense offreedom. 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.
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