The best military dads

[CommunityEditor]

For Father’s Day, Military Times and USA WEEKEND asked readers to reveal the commitment of countless military dads to their families, even as they serve thousands of miles away. Thanks to improved technology, dads can now be “with” their kids, no matter where they’re serving. Here are just a few of the submissions we received. Go to www.usaweekend.com for more stories.

Alex Garner
Alex Garner is my son. He has been in the Marine Corp for eight years. He went to Iraq in September 2006. At that time his wife, Stella, was pregnant. After only two months, he was injured and had to be sent home. He underwent shoulder surgery to put anchors in to hold his shoulder together. On Feb. 1, 2007, his son was born. Although his shoulder was in a harness, he was always there for feedings and diaper changes. Nothing would slow him down from being a father. In September 2007, he left again for Iraq to serve until April 2008. His son was only 7 months at the time. He has missed his first steps, first words and the first birthday, but he is dedicated to serving his country. Amazingly, he has been able to see his son a few times on the Web cam and say things to him over the phone. While he has been away, we continue every day to show his son pictures of his dad so he will not forget his face. He will look at them and say, ‘Hey, Dada.’ It breaks my heart to even try to imagine the things that go on in our soldiers’ minds while they are missing out on so much at home. My son is an outstanding Marine, son, husband and father. He is looking forward to reuniting with his son soon. Meanwhile, while he has been in Iraq, there have been many children there who have touched his heart as well. To see these children, as he describes, happy but in such a difficult situation, we all should learn from our military that there are many needs where they are serving, and each of us as parents should be so grateful that we have choices for our children. So many are there with no family — can you imagine how happy they must feel when our loved ones take just even a minute to acknowledge them? Not only is my son a good father to his son, but he always looks out for others, too. Happy Father’s Day to all dads. Cherish your children and what you can bring positive to their lives.

Forrest Erickson
Forrest Erickson is my dad. Frosty, as everyone calls him, is the best you could find. He is actually my step-dad, who married my mom when I was 5 and my sister was 10. My biological dad passed away when I was 3 years old. My step-dad took over the role of Dad right away and accepted us as his own. He built us a brand new home and took care of us as any other father would. He never tried to push us to call him “Dad,” it just came naturally to my sister and me. He owned an electrical business for over 20 years and also joined the Navy Seabee Reserves. He has now worked his way up in rank to master chief. He served his first tour of duty in Iraq back in 2006 at the age of 54. His unit was stationed there for seven months, and they asked him if would volunteer to stay over there to help with training some of the new incoming soldiers. He stayed there till 2007. Now he is stationed in California, where he continues to work on base at Port Hueneme. My mom is still back here in Illinois, so we only get to see him every four-to-six months when he gets leave to come home. He enjoys everything he does, and it’s his passion to serve his country. We couldn’t be any prouder of him for his service. We sacrifice our dad/husband/grandpa so he can protect our freedom and yours everyday.

Ryan Jackson
I nominate Ryan Jackson, a Marine. Ryan and his wife, Rachel, had an adorable baby boy (Kyre) a month before Ryan was sent to Iraq. They kept in constant connection with one another, making videos for one another to keep each other updated on what was going on. A “stuffed” Ryan was even made for Kyre for him to cuddle with at night. I've never known such dedication to a family. Ryan is the prime example of what a wonderful father should be.

James Phillips
My son, James Phillips, is the best dad I’ve ever known. He has been in the Army for almost 19 years, and he is very proud to serve his country. He has been married to Ericka, my daughter in-law, for 14 years, and they have one son, Makenzie. James is stationed in Iraq, and he still finds time to be involved in Makenzie’s life. He calls them often with questions about his daily life and school details. He wants to know how he’s doing in school and what’s happening in his life while he’s gone. James is always doing things with Makenzie as a father and son. Makenzie wears his hair like his dad and acts just like him. When James is home, Makenzie wants to wear whatever his dad wears from the clothes down to the same shoes. James has taught Makenzie respect for others and to say ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘yes, sir.’ I could write a book about my son and the great Dad he is. All I can say is besides being a dedicated military man he is also a dedicated father.

Ronald Quinn
Army Sgt. Ronald Quinn is serving his third tour in Iraq. He and his wife, Tammy, are parents of two — a 10-year-old daughter, Savannah, and an 8-year-old son, Lawson. Ronald is very active with his family. He is a father who will stand in long lines or swap and trade things to be able to use a phone or Internet to talk to his children. Ronald is so involved in his children’s lives even while in Iraq. No one in the family makes a decision until Ronald calls or Web cams so they can all four talk about it. Ronald helps in making decisions in every way from help with schoolwork, planning fun activities and even discipline. He is able to Web cam, and the children show Christmas, birthday and Easter gifts. They show new toys and outfits. They even show off new talents and songs they learn. Ronald always makes sure he is part of his children’s lives when he leaves. He is such a huge part when he is home that he makes sure that he stays as much a part when he gone. It would mean so much to be able to be with him on Father’s Day, but to be able to let him read how proud they are of their hero, Daddy, would be great. Yes he is a military hero, but he has always and will always be their Daddy Hero first. Ronald is proud to be an Army sergeant, but his biggest pride and award is his wife and children. Ronald and his family never go anywhere without their lap tops and cell phones. He made sure that the children also had cell phones so if they happen not to be with their mom he can call them also. He makes his children very proud to be called ARMY BRATS!

Douglass Elsass
Navy BU1 Douglas Elsass, my husband, is the greatest military dad. He married into a family with two boys already, 7 and 14. In August 2006, he went on deployment knowing that we would be expecting our first child together while he was gone. We were lucky he was going to be able to come home for the induction, which was scheduled a week before she was due. Well, babies have their own plans, and she came even a week earlier! He experienced the birth of his first child through the phone. He did still come home that next week, but only got to spend five days. He came home from deployment when she was 2 months old. He is now on deployment again, having left in December. But the whole time he’s been gone, he has made sure that he calls. We make sure we are all on the computer talking to him through the Web cam. He has also sent two videos that he has done where he reads stories to the kids. He is doing such a good job for being gone so much. We love him dearly and miss him so much. Words don’t express enough how grateful we are for him and what he does, not only for his country but for his family.


To read the full article, please go here ---> http://www.militarytimes.com/news/20...because061408/

[Proud Mom]

I'd just like to add my adopted soldier to the mix here.
For his safety we'll call him J.
J is 23 and in Iraq for his 2nd deployment. J also has a wife and 3 absolutely beautiful children.
J was unable to be at the birth of his daughter. J also just had to accompany his cousins body back to Ohio, they were serving over there together.
J is a kind, warm family man. His family is the most important thing to him.

And yes, I know Fathers Day is over but he still deserves a mention.

[Biglew97]

My Dad retired from the Navy after 22 years. I can remember as a kid always wanting to be in the Army and my dad tried to convince me to go to one of the academies. Me being hardheaded wanted to go the Enlisted route as he did. I was DEP for over a year, I intially Enlisted when I was 16 nearly 17 and had to enlist DEP a second time from what I understand that DEP was good for only 12 months, and I can remember beggin my parents to let me enlist early.

Well I graduated May 30th 1992 and was to ship for Basic 16 June 1992. Of course on the eve of the recruiter coming to gather me up I was having a beer with the old man and Crying on his shoulder asking him to get me outta my commitment..

His words to this day and I will pass them to my son that is now 2, "it was time for me to stand up and be a man and fulfill my commitment and there was no way no how he was going to trY and stop it." I cried like a baby.

Thanks Dad,

That is one of the best thing I think he ever did for me......

After that the Army - Navy Game was always contentious...

I will tell you this much the fact that I served made my dad and me closer. Its kinda like that bond that soldiers share knowing that the other has committed to the defense of this great nation and would sacrifice themselves for each other....Kinda hard to explain but those of you that serve know exactly what I'm talkng about. We share a comaraderie that my little brother never seemed to understand, and a lot of the tall tales he used to talk about that I thought my old man was full of well lets say he was right a lot more than I thought he was....

[Proud Mom]

That was beautiful to read Biglew...thank you for sharing that. (((HUG)))

[windream]

very beautiful. Thanks for sharing this. I like it very much.
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