This editorial first ran in The Daily Star in 2001. It runs again this year in tribute to all dads for Father’s Day.
Sunday is Father’s Day.
In 1909, Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, proposed the idea of a “father’s day” because she wanted to honor her father, William Smart, a single parent decades ago, according to Holidays on the Net. Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child.
The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Wash., and about that time, other people across America were celebrating a “father’s day.” In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
It seems appropriate that the holiday is in June, when trees reach toward the sky, having released energy in spring and having spread branches bursting with leaves.
They stand strong, proud and beautiful.
Like trees, fathers come in all shapes, sizes and foliage. Some are strong as oaks, while others are prickly like evergreens; some are ornamental in shape or in the buds and flowers they offer.
Like a lone tree on a landscape or among others on a mountainside, a father is there to project a message by being seen, to shelter and, later, be a reminder of good times and learning days.
Within a tree, it’s possible to find strong branches. The branches can offer a foundation and different levels to see the world.
The leaves give protection from the winds and weather of life. Leaves provide shade, and even the evergreen with needles that prickle on first touch can offer a soft, comforting retreat closer to the tree trunk.
And the trunk is the sturdiest part. To be close to it is to be safe. The tree’s hidden strength is in its roots, which reach deep into the ground for nourishment. Inside the tree grow the rings of its history, recording the years with curving lines.
The tree stands to protect young ones springing up nearby.
In American society, fathers are the outwardly strong leaders in the family who look out for their family’s best interests.
And father figures can take shape as stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers or other adult males who have been role models.
Sometimes just knowing a tree is there is reassuring.
Whether deceased or still living in the back yard, across town or states away, the tree of fatherhood stands within the heart.
Father’s Day is a day to remember good times, celebrate being together and appreciate the gift of fatherhood.
Editorials
Fathers give roots to families
- Editorials
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
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Have a heartfelt Valentine's Day
"I love you." "Be mine." "You're cute when you're spending money."
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
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Women must win fight for opportunity
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will recommend that Congress officially allow women to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines.
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Center helps victims of child abuse and neglect
We learned some good news about some terrible news in a story by reporter Joe Mahoney in Tuesday's Daily Star.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Chamber made excellent choices on service awards
A special committee selected by the Otsego County Chamber has made two excellent decisions regarding the organization's annual awards for service to our communities.
Continued ... - Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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Cheers
To Michael Shea, Terry Bliss, and the passage of the bill to allow Otsego's exit from MOSA.
Continued ... - Monday, February 6, 2012
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A sad tale may come to an end with arrests
People are almost always sad, and sometimes outraged, whenever something awful happens to a fellow human being.
Continued ... - Saturday, February 4, 2012
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Pill abuse should be a priority for police, pols
Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas proposed a bill this week to help police combat a disturbing trend of increasing prescription drug abuse.
Continued ... - Friday, February 3, 2012
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More needs to be done to aid vets with PTSD
The recent story of Stamford grandmother Melody DiGregorio grieving the loss of her grandson, Air Force veteran Edward "Drew" Snyder, brings home the debilitating and often-unreported effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on our service men and women.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 2, 2012
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Area 'shocked' at underage drinking? That's shocking
It has been referenced so often that it has become a cliché.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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School's new lease on life a welcome development
It is a big place designed to echo with the sounds of young people in a healthy learning environment.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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Cheers
To the Central American Youth Ambassadors Program, to Ray Preston and to the NCOC building trades class and the Prattsville Fire Department.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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Mitt's not at fault for loopholes in tax code
As the longtime frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney has faced withering attacks from rivals seeking to upset him.
Continued ... - Saturday, January 28, 2012
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Rest in peace, Naples and Stalter
Our area recently lost two important and influential members of our community: Oneonta surgeon Dr. Kenneth D. Stalter and newly elected Sixth Ward Council Member Mike Naples.
Continued ... - Friday, January 27, 2012
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Case closed on 2 years of turmoil
"Case closed."
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Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller was referring to possible criminal charges against fired police officer Michael Breen on Wednesday, but Miller just as easily could have been talking about the more than two years of turmoil the city has endured with its police department. - Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Obama played his cards right Tuesday
Despite a daunting economy and a challenging re-election campaign, on Tuesday night President Barack Obama displayed what Mark Twain called "the calm confidence of a Christian holding four aces" in his State of the Union address.
Continued ... - Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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Searching for votes instead of honor
Say what you will about John McCain, the Republican nominee for president in 2008 who inflicted an ignorant Sarah Palin upon an unsuspecting nation.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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Cheers
To MLK Jr. Day events, Diana Nicols, and Jordan Beers and Mariah Ruff.
Continued ... - Monday, January 23, 2012
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Dignity not enough to show in speech
After weeks of watching the often unseemly, if not downright humorous, antics of the Republican candidates for his job, President Barack Obama should have little trouble providing at least one thing Tuesday night in his State of the Union address. Dignity.
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
