Honouring fathers

THE EDITOR, Madam:

FROM RESEARCH, it is suggested that in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.

Father's Day has become a day to not honour our own fathers, but all men who act as a father figure. In fact, there are a number of fathers who have not lived up to their God-given responsibilities. That is bad, it is sad, it is wrong. Therefore, some fathers need to "pull up their socks", "wheel and come again, and come better than before." Many need to take a complete stock of themselves in order to overhaul their values and attitudes.

However, there are others who have lived up to their responsibilities quite admirably and we lift our hands and hearts to them, and hope and pray that they continue on the path of caring while encouraging other fathers to join the club.

There are some persons who have lost their fathers or who have never had the privilege of knowing a father. A day like Father's Day can be a very painful day for many people. However, there are many father figures who have played the role well. We salute them. We salute all fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, foster fathers, and adult male friends who have in some way played a part in fathering, and thus deserve to be honoured on Father's Day.

I am etc.,

PAUL G.J. MESSAM

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