Observations...

One of our readers in Oklahoma City, Mac McDonald, sent us the following item:
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.

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" (Letters, Thursday): On
June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby 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 AFB...
There are still tickets available through the Grand Travelers for Saturday afternoon's performance of Spamalot at the Tulsa PAC. This is the funniest, most clever show we've seen in a long time and we highly recommend it. Call the Grand Travelers at 786-2203 if interested and hurry, the show itself is sold out…It will take another week for Grand Lake to reach its normal elevation, at the present water release rate, and barring any rain in Kansas…...Recent visitors to the office of new Grove City Manager Bruce Johnson include D.A. Eddie Wyant and former Senator Rick Littlefield, with Councilman Mike Davenport, and former Grove police chief Mark Wall, with Councilman Larry Parham...