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presidential,” he says. “You could feel the aura and sense that they wereleaders – special people.”General Faykes dealt with the stress of his work by running, a hobbyhe picked up in 1979. To date, he has run more than 61,000 miles – hekeeps a log – and has completed 20 marathons. He covered 50 milesto celebrate his 50th birthday and now runs 30 to 40 miles a week; healso is an assistant cross country coach at Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg.“I love running because of the feeling that I control my destiny,” hesays. “I control how much I train and how hard I push myself in a race.It has kept me fit and gave me a lot of energy for my job.”“We are very blessed to havesuch wonderful men and womenin the military, wanting to serve inthe best way they can. We oweit to them to do whatever wecan to support them and theirfamilies.” ~ Major General FaykesGeneral Faykes retired in January 2008, not long after he and hiswife, Kathy, moved to James City County in part to live near her relatives.“Because of military life, we’d missed lots of family events in thepast,” he explains. He enjoys taking history classes at the College ofWilliam and Mary, playing golf and spending time with Kathy, a longtime schoolteacher, and their Miniature Schnauzers, Mollie and Roxie.He also is a regular volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, which buildshomes for families who commit some of their own money and labor.“I don’t like giving anything away for free,” he says. “I like meetinginspiring, hard-working people who just need a break. It’s kind of likethe American dream my folks had.”General Faykes still gets daily updates on key Air Force issues andserves on the executive advisory council for the nonprofit, “Mission:Readiness, Military Leaders for Kids,” which advocates for early educationprograms and better childhood nutrition. A recent study foundnearly 75 percent of youth ages 18 to 24 weren’t eligible to join the militarybecause they lacked education or had a criminal record or healthissues such as obesity.“That’s terrible,” General Faykes says. “We’ve got to turn thataround.”Another issue for the Air Force will be upgrading or replacing an agingfleet of planes, some of which are more than 50 years old. That likelywill require both training people to fix older planes and incorporatingpromising new technologies such as lasers.Like his father before him, General Faykes is confident America canrise to any challenge. “We are very blessed to have such wonderful menand women in the military, wanting to serve in the best way they can,”he says. “We owe it to them to do whatever we can to support them andtheir families.” NDNServing ThoseWho ServeLASIK vision correction -Results you can see for yourselfWith over a decade of LASIKexperience, Dr. Cullom is atrusted expert who hasperformed refractive surgeriesfor the elite Navy Seals.A Navy veteran himself, heboasts unbeatable successrates – over 98% of hispatients achieve 20/20 vision,or better. Experience the best,right here in Williamsburg.20 % offLASIKplusadditionalfamily benefitsAs a special thank you to allactive and retired military personnel,Cullom Eye & Laser Center isnow offering 20% off our LASIKvision correction service – withadditional benefits for familyand friends referrals.Call (757) 345.3001 now or visit CullomEyeCenter.comto set up your FREE consultation. Offer expires September 30, 2011.Cullom Eye & Laser Center is aleading ophthalmology practiceoffering vision care services customizedto meet your specific needs.120 Kings Way, Suite 1300, Williamsburg, VA 23185(757) 345.3001 | www.CullomEyeCenter.comNEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSAUGUST2011 11