We can thank Sonora Dodd and the love she had for her dad for helping to establish Father’s Day.  Dodd’s father was a Civil War veteran who was born in June.  She chose that month to celebrate the first Father’s Day in Spokane, Washington.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.  President Richard Nixon signed the legislation that which finally made it a permanent holiday in 1972.

What makes a dad?  God took the strength of a mountain, the majesty of a tree, the warmth of a summer sun, the calm of a quiet sea, the power of the eagle’s flight, the joy of a morning in spring, the faith of a mustard seed, the patience of eternity, the depth of a family’s need.  God knew his masterpiece was complete and so, he called it Dad. 

I did not grow up with my natural dad, but a stepdad, who was great.  He loved baseball and the movies.  As a young boy, we went to many Sunday ballgames at Forbes Field.  I can remember Rosey Rosewell, the Pirate broadcaster then.  He was a kind man and always recognized shut-ins and those in the hospital during his broadcasts. 

Those were great days in the 30s and 40s.  We always sat down together at the dining room table, and Dad always said grace.  If I didn’t like what mom put on my plate, I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.  My dad got me a job delivering newspapers six days a week.  I made two cents.  I collected once a week.  My favorite customers were ones who seemed to never be home on collection day. 

My dad taught me a lot about life, hard work and the importance of going to church.  As I think about Father’s Day, I can’t help but thinking of all the dads who have lost lives in wars, especially in today’s war.

At military funerals, the fallen are honored with a 21-gun salute, which the number 21 stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776.  Veterans’ coffins are draped with a flag and the honor guard pays meticulous attention to folding the flag.  Each fold has a symbolic meaning:

According to the ushistory.org, website, these are the meanings of each fold:

1.   The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

2.   The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

3.   The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

4.   The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

5.   The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

6.   The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

7.   The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

8.   The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

9.   The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

10.  The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

11.  The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

12.  The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

May God protect us always and Happy Father’s Day.

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Joe welcomes any ideas, suggestions or interesting stories.
Email him at northcon@nauticom.net. Please put "Town Crier" in the subject line of your email.

To contact Joe to schedule an appointment to tour his museum at McKnight Elementary School, call the Northern Connection office at (724) 940-2444 or email northcon@nauticom.net. Please put "Museum Tour" in the subject line.

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