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Blog Entry 74 of 82 Baseball,football,the Grateful Dead,Jesus and me
Could be politics, religion, music, sports, family life or anything in-between and outside the lines. (I refuse to say "outside the box," even if my chosen line means exactly the same thing) Chronologically, I'm 40. The consensus among those who know me best puts me somewhere between 10 and 13 in terms of maturity. I love listening to Jimmy Buffett, the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers and all acts Country (except the Dixie Chicks who offended my long-held,closed-minded view of decent behavior) I have deep, strong beliefs in all things I believe in and sometimes in things I don't. I pride myself in my contradictory nature even though it is a sign of weakness to change one's mind. I have been known to waver more than John Kerry talking about national defense, though I remain steadfast in my beliefs. I am prepared to argue to the death on one issue and one issue alone; Dickey Betts should be allowed back in the Allman Brothers. On this, there is no compromise. I believe in compromise in all other areas so long as the compromise includes everything that I want or believe in. In all seriousness, I am a lucky man, blessed with a wonderful family and an uncanny ability to not care about anything if the situation requires such. I believe that minds are like parachutes in that they have been known to fail their user, albeit with a slightly lower fatality rate. So that's me, or at least that's kind of me. I mean, I felt that way right before I didn't.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~billsblog

America's Dads
Contributed by: Bill Prather   on 6/15/2008

George Washington is considered the "father" of our country. I suppose that's appropriate. Father is such a formal title. It wouldn't seem right to call him "Dad." Besides, what kind of book title would that be?

George Washington, Dad of America.

No. He must be the "Father" of America.

It works. It's formal. It's a bit detached.

I have a father. You do, too. Luckily, I also have a "Dad." I hope you do as well.

It's easy, and quite a bit of fun to become a father.

Becoming "Dad" entails a lot of work. It's fun, too. But the work. Wow.

Oh, but the rewards! That's why I'm writing tonight about America's "Dads."

Every father's day for the past - I don't know how many years- I've tried to write someting deep and inspiring about my Dad. I haven't been able to do it. To be perfectly honest (and that's redundant because honesty, however hard to bear, can't be anything but perfect) I know the reason.

When I try to force creativity, I get . . . crap. Creativity or inspiration can't be forced. It must happen of its own accord. Quite possibly, that which I strive for will never be. I desire honesty (don't we all desire something we can't have?) but I settle for for real.

As in, "What you write is real." I don't know what that means, except that I take it as a compliment. What I want, what I hope, is that what I write is . . . honest.

It is when I write it.

That's why I want to tell you about America's Dads. They're real. They're honest. They're America's Dads.

You don't know Scott. I'd introduce you if I could. But he's into some computer game right now. The game occupies his time so he doesn't think about his daughters. Scott has two daughters. Harmony is only days old. Not months, not weeks . . . days. Scott welcomed his daughter to this world, then quickly left to defend her homeland. A couple of days with his newborn daughter . . . then . . . Iraq.

Scott doesn't know it (and I'll punch you if you tell him) but he exemplifies so much of what I wish I could be. Same goes for Jeff,Mike, Kelly, Brock, Robert, Whit, Doug and Shawn. Ben isn't a dad yet. But what a fine dad he'll be! How lucky will that kid be? Ben will toss the ball until it's dark. You can bet the farm on that!

America's Dad's, all of them. Far from their children in the early hours of this Father's Day, 2008. Like thousands of others, they're in Iraq or on their way there. Put your politics aside for moment and thank them.

We owe them and others like them. When you raise a toast today, think of them. My friends, my betters, are on the front line today for us. For you. Hug your kids. Hug your kids once for my friends. Hug them a hundred times. Each time, thank men like Scott, Jeff, Mike, Kelly, Brock, Robert, Doug, Whit and Shawn. Thank them and others like them.

They're America's Dads.

Thanks, guys.




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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
Submitted By: Gladys Mercier
posted on 6/18/2008 @ 8:21:27 PM
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Hi Bill. I do hope Scott will make it back home to see his baby daughter. America's soldiers are the best. They deserve to live. Are you going back to Iraq?
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Submitted By: Kerry Gieger
posted on 6/18/2008 @ 3:06:38 PM
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Hat's off to you Bill. What you wrote was eloquently disheveled and in the end it all came together to make perfect sense. My father isn't in Iraq, but when I was 13 years old, he adopted my brother and me giving us an identity. Everyday I thank god for my father and everyday I pray for our fellow American's defending our country. Thank you for this post.
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 6/16/2008 @ 7:04:06 AM
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Great post Bill! Happy Father's Day!
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Submitted By: Tom Treloar
posted on 6/15/2008 @ 7:36:47 AM
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Happy Father's Day Bill.
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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Bill Prather

Arvada , CO

Bill Prather has posted 82 blog entries and 324 comments since joining on 7/15/2006. Bill Prather 's average blog rating is 4.49.
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