One of the most important people in a person's life is their father. I've always respected my Dad and been very proud of him, too. I would like to share my Dad with you today. Come along while I tell you about him.

My Dad was already in the military when he met my Mom. When they got married, they wanted children, but they didn't have any right away because my Dad was stationed in Korea. My Mom got to visit him there for a short while, but the Army sent all the dependents home when the Korean War broke out.

After they moved back to the states, I was born. My mother said I cried and cried one day and she didn't know what was wrong with me. My Dad came home and gave me a drink of water, and I stopped crying. I still love my water.

After me was born a sister named Trudy, who died when she was a baby. Then along came a brother named Jr. and that was all the children my Mom and Dad were going to have.

I have many fond memories of my Dad. He has always loved all living things, especially flowers. He has planted a vegetable garden whenever he could. Sometimes, for no reason at all, he will surprise my Mom with flowers.

My father has always loved nature and the outdoors. Before he went into the Army, he worked as a logger. To this day, he loves trees.

When he sold some trees to get the money to come and visit us in Alaska, he felt very sad that he was losing his friends. He takes good care of his land, and hauls all the dead trees out of the forest. Then he cuts up the wood and uses it to heat his house.

I can remember when my parents bought their first house. We were stationed in Arkansas. The yard was ugly and there were no flowers. I remember one day he told me to hold this string while he drew a circle in the ground. Then he planted a tree in the middle.

In Arkansas, my parents got a happy surprise, a new baby daughter, Deborah. I was very happy because now we had three children in our family. I had a brother and a sister, and that's all the children my Mom and Dad were going to have.

Dad has always taken care of us. When Mom was in the wheelchair after having her foot operated on, Dad took her wherever she wanted to go.

My parents have been married for over fifty years. I'm sure their committment to each other has something to do with my marriage lasting for over thirty years. My father is an honest, hard-working man who is dedicated to his family.

I love my father very much.