98-year-old WW2 veteran becomes a composer

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — At nearly 99 years old, World War II veteran Fred Faulkner keeps himself busy with his love of music.

Faulkner was in the U.S. Army during World War II with duties in the Signal Corps — listening in on German radio transmission. He took part in the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944, the massive counterattack by Nazi forces against the allies. It eventually became one of the largest battles fought by the U.S. in the European theatre.

“We had the cold on top of the conflict. A shortage of supplies. You pick it, it happened to us,” Faulkner said.

Faulkner has a lifelong love for music and has played in small groups and marching bands. But eventually added composer to his talents. He decided to write a piece about the Battle of the Bulge, naming it “The Ardennes March” about 10 years ago.

“It’s just a way of expression for me, it’s been a major part of my life,” Faulkner said.

Recently, that composition would be handed over to Ross Holcombe, a member of the Florida Orchestra. He helped to arrange it for the orchestra to play.

“I think it’s even more incredible that Fred is not a classically trained musician or composer; that he found a way to do this. He had something inside that wanted to come out,” Holcombe said.

The Florida Orchestra eventually played “The Ardennes March” during its “Pops in the Park” event, their largest of the year. After playing Faulkner’s piece, they brought him up front and center to act as conductor. leading the orchestra through “Stars and Stripes.”

“The first couple of bars I was a little bit nervous, but it didn’t take long before I got into it,” Faulkner said.

Faulkner is considered to be part of what many call “the greatest generation” — a generation that is quickly fading into the history books.

Very few remain but Faulkner hopes his music lives on  to tell future generations about a horrific conflict that took millions of lives and that what was lost is never forgotten.