NationStates Jolt Archive

Yes, it's possible to be too self-absorbed to see what other people in the same country might be doing with their time.

Complaint from a self-absorbed person:
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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.

<Edited to remove name>


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

Yes, it's possible to be too self-absorbed to see what other people in the same country might be doing with their time.

Maybe the next flyby should include an inadvertant waste-tank dump on a particular house...

Nice story.

BTW Whispering Legs, I understand your sig up until the grandmothers causing adultery, what's up with that?

Snopes status: True.

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

Definately a gem of a story. Amazing how people often decide not to see past their own eyelashes.

Just recieved this in my monthly update from snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp

The long and the short of it is:
A USAF pilot dies in Iraq.
As part of the funeral, the USAF does a "missing man" flyby (a traditional air force salute to their dead) - at 9:11 am.
A local man writes a letter to the editor complaning about a "wak up call" from "Tom Cruise-wannabes ... trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns' early-bird special".

I would understand how some people here might object to honoring a military man, as it disagrees with their prinicipals.

But publicly complaning in an insulting manner that a funeral service woke you up, and when you clearly are objecting to the funeral and not the military, is totally inexcusable.

:mad:

Hey, I don't need you or anyone else to tell me how to look stupid in print or in any other medium. I, for one, figured this whole "make myself look like an insensative jerk who can't spell 'insensitive'" thing long before everyone else decided to get on the band wagon.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=430488 :p

Een boom zonder bos is als een bos zonder bomen.
what is that supposed to mean?

Een boom zonder bos is als een bos zonder bomen.
what is that supposed to mean?
you don't even want to know :D

Een boom zonder bos is als een bos zonder bomen.
what is that supposed to mean?
The online translator renders: A tree without bunch is as a bunch without trees.

Loved the reply from Lt. Col. Scott Pleus. It gave me goosebumps.

Een boom zonder bos is als een bos zonder bomen.
what is that supposed to mean?

Something about trees and leaves.

It doesn't help much that I take German rather than Dutch. I can translate some stuff, but not all of it.

Loved the reply from Lt. Col. Scott Pleus. It gave me goosebumps.
Ditto.

I'll never agree with the war, but that haven't got anything to do with the military. It's pure politics. I can only respect a man who'll fight for his country.

Yes, it's possible to be too self-absorbed to see what other people in the same country might be doing with their time.

Complaint from a self-absorbed person:

-snip-
http://webb.informatik.gu.se/~s03danee/skoj/owned-cat_jpg.jpg

Anyone who's not awake at 9am on a Wednesday morning needs to get a job or simply go back to sleep and stop caring.

...or not live near an air base...

Nice, thanks WL.