The Gadling 2010 Dads and Grads gift guide and giveaway {Gadling}

Jun 10th 2010 12:27PM My father was born in the hills of Virginia and was raised knowing only one thing, how to make moonshine. His mother died very early in life ans was raised by his father. By the age of seven he was driving loads of moonshine in a old ford stick shift, up and down the hills of Virginia. Living in poverty and doing only what he knew.
After turning 18 he left Virginia and joined the Military serving over twenty years for our country, serving three tours in Vietnam and Korea. He left the military as a Master Sergent E-8. Thats when he met my mother, opened a Carpet Business, purchased a home and raised four children.
Years later even with the store closing he managed to keep us all fed and clothed and comfortable in a nice 3 bedroom home by doing side jobs, whether it be roofing, mowing lawns or what ever needed done.
He did eventually gain employment with Schwanns Food for over 12 years and retired at the age of 65. After retiring he opened his own bar and was greatly respected in the community. I would watch him break up fights with a mini baseball bat in hand bouncing it off the chest of 6 foot men, warning them he wasn't going to have this going on in his establishment. Did I mention he was only five feet tall!!!
My father believed in taking care of responsibilities and ensuring everyone around him was happy and enjoying life. If us kids were ever punished we got our punishment and it was over with. He never held a grudge or stayed angry.
Only until a few years ago (Im 37 now) did I find out he wasnt my biological father. This only deepened my love and respect for him. All these years of working hard, keeping me comfortable and making sure I did right by others and the whole time doing this for a child that wasnt his. That alone speaks tons for the mans character and something we dont see this day in age.
Thats why I believe he is truely the best father in the world. I couldn't ask for anyone better.