Flag to Honor the Memory of MSG Alan A. Faber, U.S Air Force Veteran

During the month of August, the 83rd Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Master Sergeant Alan A. Faber, a United States Air Force veteran who served in the Vietnam War as well as in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Faber was born in Cambridge, MA, the son of the late Alfred A. Faber and Mary E. (Polito) Faber. He was the husband of the late Dolores S. (Silva) Faber, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Most of his life, Faber resided in New Bedford, MA. After retirement, he shared his time between New Bedford and Clermont, FL.

He enlisted into the United States Air Force on May 24, 1966, at the age of 19. Faber served his country honorably during the Vietnam War, from May 24, 1966, to March 13, 1970, during which he spent one year abroad in Vietnam. Faber served as an Air Force Fuels Specialist, keeping aircraft fueled and mission-ready, earning the rank of SGT.

Then in 2001, after the 9/11 attack, Faber joined the Air Force Reserves from Oct. 2001 to Oct. 2002, at the age of 54, serving as a Security Forces Craftsman, performing military law enforcement duties. According to his obituary, Faber served in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom, earning the rank of Master Sergeant.

According to his obituary, Faber was a decorated veteran, honored with numerous awards including: the Armed Forces Reserve Service Medal with Bronze Hourglass Device, National Defense Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Training Ribbon, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Faber began his law enforcement career with the City of New Bedford Police Department in 1980. Ten years later, in 1990, he earned the rank of Sergeant. He proudly served the City of New Bedford for 24 years, retiring in April 2004.

Alan’s son, Alan Faber Jr., who is also a New Bedford Police Officer, paid tribute to his father with his comments on the Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home tribute wall:

“You instilled in me and guided me through my own law enforcement career teaching me how to be a cop’s cop. You were a great Sergeant and was respected by those who were under your command. You brought me up right and I will always remember your words to me when pinning OUR NBPD 163 badge on my chest back in 1999, ‘never tarnish our name and this badge.’ I tried to live by those words. Then when I got promoted to Sergeant, it was your words of ‘the number 1 job of a Sergeant is to take care of your guys.’ Those words and your compassion are what I always lived by.”

Faber’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle, going on cruises, and showing his muscle cars. He was also a regular patron of the Golden Greek Restaurant. Tony and Maria Soares shared their memory of Alan on the funeral home tribute wall as well.

“Whenever he would come to our Monday breakfast at the Golden Greek Restaurant, he would always sing a hymn from one of the five U.S. Military branches before he sat down to the delight of all of us retired police officers and veterans and the nearby table full of retired postal workers and veterans. He was a true patriot.”

Alan was also a dedicated volunteer at the Fort Taber Military Museum in New Bedford.

He is survived by his two sons, Alan J. Faber and his companion, Cindy Wilkinson, of Acushnet, and Eric N. Faber of Clermont, Florida; two cherished grandsons, Brandon Faber of New Bedford and Tyler Faber of Acushnet; a special friend whom he often referred to as his third son, William (Bill) Mackenzie, and wife Deanna of Clermont, Florida; his brother Donald Faber and wife Elaine of Winchester, MA; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, and extended family. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Mary E. Silva. Alan is now reunited with his childhood best friend, Navy Hospitalman Alan Robert Gerrish, who passed away from wounds sustained in Vietnam.

Linda Ferreira of Empire Ford researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford. Flags are raised by the staff at the Fort Taber–Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at [email protected].