Published: June 19, 2009 09:33 am      

Cards, candy or steak, Sunday is dad’s special day

Sunday is Father’s Day and while some fathers receive ties and others receive tools, some children believe nothing can beat a steak dinner to say thanks to their dad on Father’s Day.

No matter the gift, it is the thought that counts most of all and dads everywhere will appreciate the time and effort that went into picking the right gift.

Lane and Connor Braswell, of McAlester, plan to get together with their families to celebrate the day. They plan to have a big family meal with their father and grandfathers. “We plan to spend Sunday afternoon together,” Lane Braswell said.

Alex Clark, Josh Little and Faith Little, of McAlester, plan on doing a little grilling for their father. While Clark hoped to be able to prepare some eggs on the grill for his father, his older brother quickly informed him that was not a good idea, nor the plan. “We plan to grill steaks for Father’s Day,” Josh Little said.

Faith Little made the extra effort this year to make her own card. Not to give away the secret, but it includes her dad’s favorite candy to match with words to describe him. “It will include Sweet-Tarts, Almond Joy...,” Faith Little said. These were chosen because he is sweet and a joy.

Brandon Dodson, of McAlester, plans to honor his father on Father’s Day. His father has passed away, but Dodson visits his father’s grave every year on Father’s Day. “I plan to take flowers to my father’s grave and spend about an hour out there,” Dodson said.

Bridget Murray, of Hartshorne, plans to send a card to her father as she is not able to spend the holiday with him. “I will send a card and spend time with him the next time I can,” Murray said.

While Mother’s Day is a long established holiday, fathers have not always been recognized for all of their hard work.

One woman decided to create a day to honor her father. The rest is history.

The idea behind Father’s Day began 100 year ago; however, it wasn’t until the next year that the idea became a reality.

Sonora Dodd, of Spokane, Wash., longed for a way to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was raising six children on his own. Dodd approached the mayor with her idea and he agreed.

The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, Smart’s birthday.

The holiday quickly took hold in Spokane and branched out to other areas. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.

In 1972 President Richard Nixon signed it into law.

Whether you have a cookout or send a card, let your father know you are thinking of him this Father’s Day.

Contact Marketta Johnson at mjohnson@

mcalesternews.com.