Military Service

Note: This post was written well before the passing of my beloved brother, Sgt. Maj. Calvin Jon Faulkner, USMC, Retired. - In 2003, while activated during the Iraqi War, I asked Jon what those of us at home could do to support our troops. You can read his response here. His words are far more eloquent than mine.

At the Turlock Farmer’s Market in March, I purchased some plants from a local vendor. (Yes, they are still alive; they were succulents.) When I paid the bill, I was offered a green plastic toy soldier as a reminder to pray for those in the military. I thought it was a great idea, so it has been sitting on my desk ever since. When I brought it home, I realized that, for the first time in my life, I wasn’t aware of anyone I knew who was actively serving in the military.

In my generation, and the generations before me, young adults leaving high school had three choices: work, college or the military. I’m going to guess that the numbers were split relatively evenly for my graduating class in 1986, unlike my parents, who mostly went to work. The trend had shifted

When my kids graduated from high school, it seemed like everyone was pursuing higher education. The few I knew who went into the military did so because they attended either the United States Military Academy at West Point or the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. But I’ve noticed another change. I am aware of at least three members from the class of 2025 who are joining the military: a nephew, a cousin, and a neighbor. Recent news reports about the Army’s recruitment so far in 2025 have confirmed my suspicion.

I come from a strong military family. My dad was in the Army, and my brother retired as a Sergeant Major from the U.S. Marine Corps. I even had a beloved uncle who served during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Military service is highly respected in my family, and we are grateful to all of those who are willing to fight for the freedoms we enjoy.

The toy soldier will have a place of honor on my desk as a reminder to pray, not only for the current service members, but in gratitude for those who have come before them. We must also keep the military families and our government in our prayers at the same time.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” — President Ronald Reagan