Honoring Grandmother and Grandfather Faux

With Veterans Day approaching, and our thoughts and prayers turned to Grandmother and Grandfather Faux, it seems a good time to share memories of a conversation with them on Veterans Day in 2004, when we learned about their courage and sacrifice in protecting our country.

Grandfather was on active duty in the Air Force for ten years, and after that he was a reservist and worked as a civilian at Hill Air Force base. He logged 18,000 hours as a pilot and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He flew a P-61 "Black Widow" fighter bomber in World War II. He flew night missions, including bombing runs and dog fights over France and Germany. As pilot, he was accompanied by a "radar" officer, who was located in the back of the plane. There were eight guns in the plane, four at the front and four in the rear. Grandfather could fire them with the touch of a button.

Grandfather said he lost four buddies in WW II, members of the group that he signed up with. (Grandmother’s aunt lost a son, and her aunt’s sister also lost a son.) Grandfather and two of his brothers fought in the war, but they all came home safely.

Grandfather said that one time when his aircraft was on the ground, the enemy bombed the area and the airplane next to his was destroyed. He participated in the ART program, where he helped to train new pilots.

Grandfather was scheduled to go to Korea, but his assignment was changed. He was also scheduled to go to Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis, but the mission was canceled just four hours before they were to leave. The Cuban missile crisis took place in 1962 during the Kennedy administration. At the time, Barbara was almost 11, Scott 13, and Nelson 15. Grandfather explained that at the time of the crisis the Russians were poised to take over Cuba and we were going to defend it. We commnted that Grandmother must have been very relieved when he didn’t have to go to Cuba, but she replied that she hadn’t even known about it because it was a secret mission. Evidently there were other secret missions that he did participate in that he couldn't talk about.

During the Vietnam war, Grandfather would switch from the reserves to active duty about every six weeks for two to three weeks or even a month at a time, to fly supply and bombing missions in Vietnam. He also carried soldiers who parachuted out over enemy territory. At the time he was a Major in the Air Force. Grandmother would be left home alone to watch over the children and handle all the decision-making and work by herself, all the while, no doubt wondering about Grandpa’s safety. It was a real sacrifice for them both.

We are very proud of you, Grandmother and Grandfather Faux, and grateful for your service to our country. We love you!