Not being an ass, but those letters have been changed. You can see the original here

None of the replies from the military had any reference to religion. The name of the responder has been completely changed.

Here are the two letters sent to the newspaper and the reply from the original letter writer:

Luke Air Force Base was asked to respond
to a letter writer’s question about a “morning air show” he
observed recently (“A wake-up call from Luke’s jets,” Letters,
Thursday):

The “wake-up call” witnessed
the morning of June 15 was a formation of F-16 jets from Luke Air Force
Base lining up for a memorial service in Sun City at the gravesite for
Air Force Capt. Jeremy Fresques, an officer assigned to Air Force Special
Operations. Fresques gave his life in defense of our country while serving
in Iraq.

It is unfortunate that at a time when
our nation is at war someone would believe we have less than honorable
and professional reasons for such a mission.

The commander of the fighter squadron
was given the difficult duty of informing the family of Capt. Fresques
on Memorial Day that the officer, a husband, son and Arizonan, had died
in Iraq.

On behalf of the men and women at Luke
Air Force Base, we continue to keep Jeremy and his family in our thoughts
and prayers. –

Col. Robin Rand, Luke Air Force Base 

The writer is commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base.

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

And the apology:

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