Father's Day is the designated day to recognize fathers and father-figures alike. It is a day that families show appreciation for the men in their lives.

Children may see this day as a time to show their dad just how much they love them, while wives may see it as a time to give a token of appreciation, large or small, to their spouses. Fathers, however, often times see this day as something much more dynamic.

Although Father's Day is only recognized once a year, dads make every day father's day by showing their love and dedication year-round.
German theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his book Ethics,

"A father acts on behalf of his children by working, providing, intervening, struggling and suffering for them. In so doing, he really stands in their place. He is not an isolated individual, but incorporates the selves of several people in his own."

Chief Boatswain's Mate Edmundo Brantes, a father of 19 years, shares a similar perspective.

"Father's Day is a realization of all the struggles that my father endured for his family," said Brantes. "It's the things you never know about. The sacrifices he made and sucked up to keep a roof over our heads, clothes on our back and food on the table, no matter what. These are things only now I can understand, being a father for the past 19 years."

Unfortunately, not all children have the fortune of growing up with a dad in their home. It is for this reason Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Abraham Sanchez, father of four, is so passionate about being a father.

"There are a lot of men who get bad reputations for people not being around," said Sanchez. "You have people like me who grew up with a stepdad. Father's Day is a constant reminder that we, somewhere, somehow, have to break that cycle of not being present. For me Father's Day means we as men are doing the right thing, even if there are only a few of us."
While some people aren't raised by their biological father, it is people like Sanchez's stepfather, and Brantes who help break the cycle, and continue to make Father's Day special.

"Being a father is a special day every day I wake up," said Brantes. "Being in the Navy, I get other people's children all the time. I am a father figure to a lot of them at times."

No matter what capacity a person is serving as a father, the little things make the role special.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Reshawn Orr, also a father of four children, takes comfort in the simple day-to-day things his children do.

"It could be as simple as a phone call from them saying, 'Daddy, I love you,'" said Orr. "What gets me most is when they draw the little stick-figures of our family with hearts, and everyone is so happy. They don't worry about anything. They just see the good. To them, you're their superhero."

Giving is a two-way street. While children give gifts to their dad, fathers give love to their children by providing for them. Each of these actions is their respective ways of showing how much they appreciate their loved one.

"I'm not the big gift guy," said Sanchez. "I feel like I'm supposed to provide for my family, not the other way around. When someone goes out of their way and gives me a card, or my son or daughter makes me a card, that means the world to me."

In addition to giving gifts, some families have traditions for this holiday.

"We used to get together at the person's house who is most senior, which in my case was my stepdad, but since my father passed, we've kind of steered away from it because it's just not the same anymore," said Sanchez.

As Sailors, these fathers know all too well how precious time is, and how it feels to be away from their family. Since the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) is in port, it is a refreshing breath knowing they will be home to spend Father's Day with the ones they love most.
Brantes, Sanchez and Orr each look forward to the same thing this Father's Day: family time.

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