Being around civilian kids recently has been an eye-opening experience. When I tell people that my dad was a Marine, I always get the same response. People are quick to assume that he was a tough, strict disciplinarian. If they have seen the film American Beauty I really do not blame them. Chris Cooper does a fantastic job of playing a retired Marine colonel in that movie, but it really doesn't tell even half the story.

My dad's service in the Marine Corps is a tremendous source of pride for my family and me. He has dedicated his entire life to a higher calling. Committing oneself to family and country is a big decision to make. He has now been in the Marine Corps almost thirty years and done a tremendous job of balancing his career in the Corps with his role at home.

I would venture to say that my dad is a strong man. He values discipline and mental strength above many qualities. He has done his best to help this carry over to my siblings and for the most part, it has. His time in the Marine Corps has taught him many things and he values what he has learned. It only makes sense that he would want us kids to carry some of the same values and lessons that he has learned. I am immeasurably thankful for this.

My dad was not the strictest person I have ever met. In fact, he is one of the funniest people that I have ever encountered. One of the things that I look forward to most about going home is hanging out with him when he has free time from his horrendously busy schedule. Whether we are going to football games, hockey games, baseball games, hiking or hanging out at the house catching up over a few beers, I cherish those moments.

We butt heads sometimes and when you have two personalities as strong as my father's and my own, it is bound to happen. But there is one thing that I always keep in mind, he always knows best and knows what is best for me. His experience in leading young men, many of them my age, is vast and valuable to me. Sometimes it's almost like having a coach. He knows when to pick me up and when I need a reality check. I will forever be grateful for the reality checks. My father is a natural leader and I'm not sure if he realizes it sometimes, but his best quality is instilling confidence in people. Anytime that I have been down in life, the one person that has always been there has been my father. Whether he was in Afghanistan, Iraq, Europe, Africa, or the next room, he has always been there for me. That is the most important quality that a father can have.

The best thing that my father has done is teach me. Thanks to him, I am confident that I would be a good dad. I have spent just over 21 years observing and learning from him. The biggest thing that I have learned from him is how to be a father. I think that might the the ultimate goal of being a dad; teaching your son to be a dad. We like to think that at one point or another we will always be parents. For those of us that will, we also like to think that we'll be pretty good at it. I think that I have learned enough from my father to think that I'll be a good one, too.

So I'll close with this.

Dad, thank you for everything. I can't even begin to list everything that you have either done for me or taught me, but thank you.