[DeTomaso] NPC WAKE-UP CALL

[Asa Jay Laughton]

On September 11, 2001, I was dressed in full class A blues uniform.  I 
was attending a funeral for a friend who had retired only a few months 
prior to his untimely death.  I watched the news before leaving home, 
and all the talk at the funeral was about the attack and when we thought 
the Guard would be called up.

At the gravesite, we all stood in formation, at attention while our 
friend was laid to rest.  At the conclusion of the 21 gun salute, there 
wasn't a dry eye in the place.  There is just something very powerful 
about the thunder of the guns that reminds us of our fragile nature and 
that we fight for our freedoms every day.

Asa Jay
<I've had to do this twice>

Kirk Evans wrote:

> Thanks guys---I love ya!  
> 
> With the utmost respect pass this on to my favorite other group.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>    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 Air Force Base, Arizona
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-- 
Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired

& Shelley Marie
Spokane, WA

1973 Pantera L 5533
[ASASCAT]

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