Proud, & a wake up call...

Y'all -
I don't usually send links, but this is a great one
about someone I'm very proud to be related to.

http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=25986&SectionID=2&S

Enjoy.
Donna

A wake-up call that was apparently needed, especially
as we get further away from 9-11. This was in a paper
in Phoenix...

A complaint post, and the reply:

Complaint:

Quote:

A wake-up call from Luke's jets

Jun. 23, 2005 12:00 AM

"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 reply is classic, and a testament to the
professionalism and heroism of the folks in the armed
services. The response:

Quote:

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 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 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.

Lt. Col. Scott Pleus
CO 63rd Fighter Squadron
Luke Air Force Base

After sendinf out the above letter, I was sent back
the rest of the story, which warmed my heart to
hear...and highlighted a truth too often forgotten -
that we almsot never have the whole story...

An apology from the heart to the airmen of Luke
Jul. 9, 2005 12:00 AM
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,
Peoria
It's hard to un-ring the bell
Jul. 11, 2005 03:50 PM
BUT IT CAN BE DONE
Ian A. Macpherson
Tax attorney

On June 23, Mr. Tom MacRae of Peoria wrote a letter to
the editor complaining about the noise from a
low-flying formation of F-16's from Luke.
On June 28, Lt. Col. Scott Pleus, Commander of the
63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke, responded by explaining
that the flyover was in honor of Captain Jeremy
Fresques. Captain Fresques, once stationed at Luke,
was killed in Iraq on Memorial Day.

On Saturday, July 9, Mr. MacRae followed up with
another letter to the editor expressing remorse and
offering his apologies for his original letter.

There are lessons in these exchanges for all of us,
especially these days.

First, make sure you've got all or as many of the
facts as possible before reacting to something,
especially in public. It is difficult to un-ring a
bell.

Second, every time you run into an active duty
serviceman or servicewoman, or one you know to be a
veteran, shake his/her hand... and mean it. Because
the fact that you are walking around with the ability
to shake anyone's hand is due, in one way or another,
to their efforts and their service to the country.

Third, when you realize that you have made a mistake,
fix it. Like Tom MacRae - a Navy man and veteran of
Vietnam - has done. It would have been easy for him to
simply ignore the letter from Lt. Col. Pleus and let
the public's brief attention span take care of the
rest. Instead, he did the right thing: he apologized,
publicly and sincerely. I am hopeful that Lt. Col.
Pleus will have read the apology and that the friends
and family of Captain Fresques will accept it.

Finally, the next time you see a formation of F-16's -
or even a single one - slicing through the air and
making a lot of noise, take heart. There will always
be a good reason for them to be airborne.