open mouth... insert foot

[Owen]

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 theback. 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, 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 , 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 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 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....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

 

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

 

USAF

[RandyR]

amen.

[Aussie Annie]

Lt. Col. Grant Rosensteel Jr--- I Salute You!!

[saddlebum]

Lt. Col. Grant Rosensteel Jr--- I Salute You!!

SO DO I

[Hummingbird]

SO DO I

 

 

and I nominate the letter writer for poster child for mandatory birth control --

[OB-1]

Here's a link to the original story & letters:

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

 

The guy that made the original noise complaint also wrote an apology.

 

And, as with most emailed stories, the Col's letter was added to by someone that just couldn't leave the truth alone. The last two lines, "Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.", were not part of the Col's letter. The actual letter was written by Lt. Col. Pleus, not Rosensteel.

Edited June 26, 2009 by OB-1

[bongobobny]

Bravo!!!!!

[Bigfoot]

Snopes won't let you cut and paste anymore but below is the response from the original letter writer. He was a jerk for what he wrote but at least he did the right thing with his response after Rosensteel's response.

 

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

[Venturous Randy]

This is an interesting read and according to snopes is true. It happened in 2005 and the complaining letter to the paper was written by a Navy, Vietnam veteran, who was highly embarressed when he found out what the flyover was about. Over the years and going around the world, some of the details have changed, but it is worth reading.

RandyA

 

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

[GuthDaddy17]

Lt. Col. Grant Rosensteel Jr sounds like a Venture rider (2nd gen. of course)!!!

[Bigjohn6886]

wow a great thread i salute Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr

being a former veteran

[OB-1]

Lt. Col. Grant Rosensteel Jr sounds like a Venture rider (2nd gen. of course)!!!

 

wow a great thread i salute Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr

being a former veteran

 

The actual letter was written by Lt. Col. Pleus, not Rosensteel.

[Guest Swifty]

now THAT'S a slam dunk response to a *****y complaint...very good job on the part of the USAF.

[Mariner Fan]

When I read "Open mouth, insert foot" I thought of me.

 

Really nice story!

[Bigjohn6886]

When I read "Open mouth, insert foot" I thought of me.

 

Really nice story!

LoL i was thinking the same thing