Captain Jeremy Fresques

I got this in an email and had to get it out the everybody. It bothers me that some people only think of themselves.

This is worth the read for you patriotic folks out there!


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.

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" (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
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

All I have to say to the guy who wrote in complaining is this, The same road that brought you to Phoenix will take you right back out, preferably to some place far away!
We all have to make some sort of sacrifice for our FREEDOM.

Some people really need to stop and think for a minute before they open their mouths and speak. I mean come on people, these men and women are sacrificing their time and in some cases their lives so that we can live in the greatest country in the World.

To all those people who always have something negative to say when something offends them or they don't agree with somebody else's opinion (kinda like me right now), Keep it to yourself. Those men and women in the Armed Forces are fighting so that you have the right to say what ever you want, but that doesn't mean you have to say it. Sure there are things that upset me sometimes to, but hopefully I can take it stride. Maybe the line at the DMV is long and taking forever or maybe they person working at the fast food drive-thru gave me the wrong order, but I get to go home every night to my hot showers, comfort food and soft bed, they don't. So next time you feel like complaining because the fighter jets are too loud and it's interrupting your Jerry Springer show, stop and think for 1 minute how good we have it and keep your mouth closed. Remember this "A closed mouth gathers no feet".

I just want to say thanks to Lt. Col. Scott Pleus for his response to the complaint and most important, his service to this great country that we live in. It's men and women like him that make this country so great. Thanks Lt. Col. Pleus, you got my vote.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention Capt. Jeremy Fresques, a hero in my eyes. This man gave the ultimate sacrifice for you and me. Not only was he away from his family for who knows how long, but then only to return to them in a flag covered casket.

Capt. Jeremy Fresques, thank you for your service and sacrifice, I'll say a prayer for you and yours this night. Godspeed to you and God bless your family.