Sergeant Major and Me
As many of you know, my beloved brother, Sgt. Maj. Calvin “Jon” Faulkner, USMC (Retired) left us doing something he loved; kayaking down the Flathead River near his home in Montana, with his dear wife, Sue and many other family members. If Jon couldn’t die jumping out of an airplane in defense of our country, this was the next best way. You can read Jon’s obituary here.
1975 - Jon’s return from Boot Camp
An acquaintance of mine, who didn’t know Jon, sent me this text this morning: “A Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps is an achievement held in higher esteem than any other in the Marine Corps. As a civilian Special Agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, I spent half of my 30-year career overseas, including time on USMC bases in Iraq. I would trust a Marine more than family.”
Jon was the youngest of my four brothers, and ten years older than I. Before going into the Marine Corps, he was my babysitter and Chief Tormentor when our mother was at work. Because we spent so much more time together, I knew him best as a child. My earliest memories include him at home. He’s the one who made me tough, resilient and sarcastic. You can blame him. Jon taught me how to stand at attention (thumbs tucked in) and salute, and made me memorize The Marines’ Hymn and many of the military cadence songs he had learned. (C-130 was my favorite.)
It was my honor and privilege to present Jon’s Family History at his funeral. You can read it here. As you can imagine, I was an emotional wreck leading up to the service and almost called his daughters to say they were going to have to find someone else to do it. But then it occurred to me, there are no words adequate to describe such a big personality. No one on earth could accurately represent who he was or what he meant to those who loved him. It was an impossible task. This realization took a lot of the pressure off. With this in mind, and surrounded by prayers, I managed to make it through.
The initial shock has worn off. We’ve returned home from Jon’s funeral services in Montana and are now coping with the realization that he is gone. But there is comfort in knowing he left an incredible legacy behind him. Jon’s marriage and the beautiful family he and Sue created will forever be the result of a life well lived and a testament to Jon’s dedication to serving those around him; filled with integrity, honor, adventure, with lots of love and laughter. His life and actions are shining examples of the official motto of the United States Marine Corps: ‘Semper Fi’ - Always Faithful.
I once read that people only have meaning if our experience of them changes us. We only honor them when we allow ourselves to be transformed by what they have taught us. We have something to learn from everyone we encounter. I have been learning from Jon and Sue my whole life. And now, I am a witness to the legacy Jon leaves behind with his children and grandchildren, who demonstrate those same honorable character traits he possessed.
I am forever grateful for all of the phone calls, texts, messages, visits and flowers offered in condolence for Jon. Thank you all for reaching out, and please, keep us in your prayers as we continue to adjust to this tremendous loss.
“If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.” - The Marines’ Hymn
