4th of July surprise

Lake area residents experienced a special treat this Fourth of July.
Two F-16s flew over The Lakes area at 11:30 AM on July 4 kicking off the Melissa and Sallie Lakes Association boat parades. These fighter jets were piloted by Lt. Col. Scott Meyer and Capt. Jake Brenholdt from the 148th Fighter Wing, MN Air National Guard in Duluth. Part of this commemorative flyover was to serve as a memorial for a fellow pilot, Capt. Eric Ziegler, (a Fargo native), whose family created a military family retreat on Holbrook Lake just a few miles south of Lake Melissa. This retreat was created to serve as a respite for surviving families of military heroes. The Meyer family has lived on Fern Beach, Lake Melissa, since grandparents Butch and Shirley Meyer purchased a cabin in 1970. Their sons Jeff and Bruce Meyer have homes on Fern Beach now.  Bruce’s son, Scott, has followed in his father’s footsteps.  Both Bruce and Scott attended the Air Force Academy. They also pursued careers as Air Force pilots, and then as pilots for Delta Airlines.    A special thanks to these pilots for giving the area lakes people an emotional 4th of July tribute.