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This post is
dedicated to the late Bob Bartosh, a loving father and a true Friend Of the
River...
and to all of the Fathers who are no longer with us in presence, but forever in
our hearts .
"Blessed indeed
is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father" -- Lydia M. Child
Here’s to the Best Dad You Ever Had – Happy Father’s Day!
By Jan Edwards
A special thank you to all who submitted
the photos below- and on the following pages.
Another year has come and gone and
it is again time to honor the men in our lives who have helped mold us into what
we all are today – our papas, our dads – our fathers. But did you know that the
history of this celebration is much shorter than that of Mother’s Day? Let’s
take a walk down memory lane and see how this holiday (which has a Texas
connection) got its start.
Though Father’s Day is celebrated in most countries of the world, its history
does not go back that far. In fact, the first known Father’s Day was celebrated
on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia at the William Memorial Methodist
Episcopal Church South (now known as Central United Methodist Church). It is
believed that Grace Golden Clayton suggested this idea to her pastor, inspired
by a deadly mine explosion in nearby Monongah the previous December when 361 men
died (mostly recent Italian immigrants to the United States, who were also
fathers). Grace could have had more inspiration from the Mother’s Day
celebration which was held for the first time two months before in Grafton, West
Virginia 15 miles away.
Another proponent of Father’s Day was Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd in Creston,
Washington. She was inspired by Anna Jarvis’ efforts to establish Mother’s Day
and by her own father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and single
parent who reared his six children in Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Smart Dodd
originally suggested June 5 (the anniversary of her father’s death) for the
celebration, but could not make the arrangements in time and the celebration was
deferred to the third Sunday of June. The first June Father’s Day was celebrated
June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington.
Unofficial support from such legendary men as William Jennings Bryan was
immediate and widespread. President Woodrow Wilson’s family celebrated his
fatherhood in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national
holiday in 1924 and in 1926 a National Father’s Day Committee formed in New York
City. Father’s Day was recognized by a joint resolution in Congress in 1956. But
it was not until 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson (that’s your Texas
connection) made Father’s Day a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of
June. The holiday was not, however, officially recognized – and this is hard to
believe – until 1972 during Richard Nixon’s Presidency.
By the way, did you know that Father’s Day has official flowers for the
occasion? They are roses – red for fathers still living and white for those who
have died.
So, let’s pass through the gate of memory lane and celebrate the fathers we have
around us. No Father’s Day celebration would be complete for those of us living
in Texas without saluting the father of Texas himself, Stephen F. Austin. I
salute you, Father Austin. You spent so much time working out settlement
arrangements for your colony, that you did not have time to use your own land,
marry or have children of your own. You gave up all your personal gain to help
your extended family grow and prosper. We who are lucky enough to live in
Brazoria County, the "Cradle of Texas", can go look up to you at the statue
erected on Hwy. 288, near Angleton, in your honor. We thank you for your
sacrifices as our “father” and extend our wishes of a Happy Father’s Day to you.
How could we not celebrate all the fathers in Friends Of the River San Bernard?
They are wonderful men who give unselfishly of themselves to their families and
this organization. We all wish to recognize your efforts. Some of you have
helped build the F.O.R. Community Center, some have contributed to the website,
some have organized and participated in the boat parades, some have worked on
opening the mouth of the river, some have helped clean up the river, and yet
others are concerned with and on working on the river's watershed and water
quality. But more than that, I’ve seen you quiet a crying child by the touch of
your hand, and feed your baby when Mom was busy. I’ve seen you teaching the next
generation how to enjoy the river – to ski, tube, fish, crab and boat. I’ve seen
you give up precious sleep to make preparations so the day will be special for
your little ones. And I’ve seen you minister to your dads when they can no
longer manage to do the things for you that they have always done. Your love
fills this river and this community. Happy Father’s Day to you all.
If your father is still alive, slow down long enough to make his day special.
Take him fishing; watch the game or the race with him. Make him that special
meal. Let him know you love him and you appreciate all he has sacrificed for
you. You won’t regret it.
As for me, my Dad has gone on to his reward – Mom joined him two days before
their wedding anniversary. I guess my best memory of my Dad was when Roy asked
him for my hand in marriage – I had no clue Roy was going to do that. Dad just
sat there for a minute, then he turned to me and said “What do you think?” and I
said, “For heaven’s sake, Dad, say yes!” Dad looked at Roy, and then he looked
at me and said, “If it’s ok with her, then, it’s ok with me.” I don’t think Roy
would have married me if Dad had not said yes. But Dad, you did good – after 21
½ years, it’s still ok. Thanks for looking out after me. I miss you. Happy
Father’s Day!
Lots More
Photos to see ! Click
Here
One
of F.O.R.'s primary functions is to
educate the public regarding the
issues concerning the San Bernard
River and it's Communities. Contact
Pat Webb
pat@sanbernardriver.com
to schedule a guest speaker for your
group or special event.
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