What’s Great About Dads, in Your Words and Photos

Why do you celebrate your father today?

When we asked the Heritage Foundation Facebook community why they honor their dads on Father's Day, photos, memories, and I-love-yous poured in. The memories were too sweet not to share. We've highlighted a few of those submissions here.

"I remember a tough time I went through in college. I had $20 to my name. Bills were due and I couldn't get to work because my car was just totaled. A few days later, I received an envelope in the mail with checks made out for my bills. Knowing my dad was in a financially difficult situation having been out of work for 2 1/2 years and recently diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma, I called him to say, 'thanks but I can't accept.' I'll never forget what he said to me in response, 'Jaimee, if it's a choice between you eating and me eating, you're going to eat.' This sums up my dad's heart. He always thinks of others before himself and he's ALWAYS there for me no matter what. I hope and pray I'm half the parent he is." —Jaimee R.

"My dad sacrificed to give my brother and I the education we needed. He came here to this country not speaking English in his 30s, with a sixth-grade education, off the boat from Italy. He went to barber school during the day, washed dishes at night. Worked from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., came home, ate dinner and back to work at job two as a custodian at 8 p.m. Thank you, Dad, for your sacrifices. Love you, Dad, for your gift of education, and example of hard work! Thank you for the sacrifices you and Mom made for us. You always told us that we had no option but to go to college, and no option but to be a professional." —John A.

"My dad taught me about life, doing things together. Whether through work or play, there was always a lesson. And those lessons will now be passed on to my own children." —Bryan H.

"As a little child he would help me brush my teeth and then carry me off to bed all the while singing, 'You are My Sunshine.'" —Mary Ellen G.

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"My dad didn't give up on getting better at being a dad. Frankly, he struggled at being a father. He had to push through a lot of confusing upbringing. Us kids became adults, married, started having kids of our own. And he somehow discovered that it was better to keep growing than to be stick with old habits and attitudes. My dad taught me that HUMILITY is a necessary ingredient for being a good parent, and that raising kids to be good parents is the greatest reward possible." —Tonya M.

"My dad grew up hard during the Depression, he served in the Navy in World War II, he had a farm, a wife, and seven children. … He always paid for everything in cash. … He also worked at other Air Force bases after the war until he was broken down and retired. He was strict, just, and very intelligent. When horrible tornados struck our farm and community, he was the first one out with my brother and brother-in-law with the chainsaw clearing roads and checking on our neighbors. He was a very strong man physically and mentally and I miss him. I am thankful I know what hard work is and how to do it. I have respect for life and what it takes because of the example and work ethic he gave us." —Norma F.

"My father taught me to be the man and father I am today. One of the most generous and loving people I've ever known. Thanks Dad, I'll always be grateful." —Steve S.