Celebrating Father's Day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Donald Osborn
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The history of Father's Day started in 1909 by Washington state native named Sonora Smart Dodd. While listening to a Mother's Day sermon in church one Sunday, she began to wonder why there wasn't a day celebrated for fathers as well.

Her mother passed away while giving birth to her sixth child. It was Ms. Dodd's father, William Smart, a civil war veteran, who was left to raise a newborn child and his other five children. Throughout the years, she observed her father's sacrifices for his family and had referred to him as a "courageous, loving and selfless man."

Since her father was born in June, she decided to hold the first Father's Day June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Wash. Her efforts received national attention throughout the years, and in 1924, former President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of having a national Father's Day.

However, it wasn't until 1966 when former President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day. Finally in 1972, former President Richard Nixon signed the law making the holiday permanent.

While millions of children celebrate Father's Day with their fathers this Sunday, it is time to reflect on not only the sacrifices fathers make for their children, but the extra sacrifices it takes for the father in uniform. Any father who dons the military uniform knows how difficult it is to balance a life between raising children while protecting our nation's freedom in the world.

Just like the men in uniform today, our fathers, grandfathers and forefathers realized that the key to this nation's future not only lies in our ability to defeat the enemies of freedom, but it also lies in our children whom we influence in our everyday lives.

On this day, let us not only remember our fathers, but let us remember all men who have influenced our lives in one way or another whether they are grandfathers, stepfathers, adopted fathers, uncles and yes, even brothers.

To all fathers who have ever stood up and made a difference in a child's life: to those who are still in uniform, to those who no longer wear their uniforms and to those who have never worn a uniform, we celebrate your sacrifices from yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Happy Father's Day.