Honoring fathers

View invited readers to share stories about their fathers. The following are among the submissions:

The First Dentist dad

My dad Robert Morrison came to Las Vegas in 1952 and became one of the first dentists in the city.

He took care of many patients during his years, several he didn't charge.

He passed that value onto his children -- take care of those who can't take care of themselves.

He was always there to help people and worked hard to support our family.

He is a very special father, always being there for me, especially last year seeing me through cancer treatments.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

I love you.

-- "Tweety" (Ann Brown)

Thanks, dad

I don't write so good yet, nor express my feelings too well. That is why my grandma is helping me write this.

My real father walked away from me before I was even born. He didn't want to believe I was his. Now I look a lot like him, so he can't deny me.

Now, I feel my real father is the one who has stood by me through thick and thin for over half of my 6 1/2 years.

He is the one who teaches me to play electronic games, rides a bike with me, plays ball and rough houses with me.

He works hard so my mama can stay home with my baby brother and me.

My home schooling makes me real smart. I love my home.

Thank you very much, father, for all you do for me, and I wish you a great Father's Day. You deserve it in spades.

I love you. Ty.

-- Ty Hancock

Honoring my father

I come from a very large family, six girls and one boy, and growing up with my family has been the best experience I could have had especially having both parents in my life. Growing up we didn't have the expensive cars, the big house nor the shopping sprees, but I don't ever remember missing out on anything either. My father (Manuel Sanchez) is the friendliest, happiest and the most honest man I've ever known from the moment he gets up in the morning up until it's time to go to bed all you see on his face is a smile. My father is always helping someone out no matter if he has the resources or not he's there, he says when you help someone you should not expect anything in return. When we talk he listens and when we need his advice he shares his opinion. I wouldn't trade my dad for the world, he's the best. I wouldn't be the strong, outgoing, funny person that I am today if it weren't for him. I love you daddy. Your daughter,

-- Mati Hall

An active dad

Why my dad is the most wonderful father in town... He always spends time with me. My dad is teaching me how to box, play Frisbee, baseball, catch, golf, kickboxing, soccer, and best of all, football. He plays video games. He's even thinking about enrolling me in martial arts.

-- Preston Young

My Father

Grateful: This is what my father hoped to instill in me and my siblings. My father always put our family first. He drove three hours a day commuting to and from work so that he could provide for our family. He enjoyed working as a labor of love. He built a homemade horse jump for my older sister, the large patio we still enjoy at our childhood home, and he helped neighbors roof their homes and build fences. He played basketball with the teenage boys down the street who didn't have parents around. He took us to parades on Main Street and annual firework displays. He told us to always say thank you and mean it and to be happy with our lot in life. My dad instilled in me a sense of gratitude and appreciation for life.

I lost Daddy to melanoma cancer when I was 13 years old. He was 38. He successfully raised me to feel gratitude and appreciation for everything I have, to work hard, and above all, to care for others. That is what makes him the most wonderful father. R.I.P. Michael Henry Clary, April 15, 1956 - March 1, 1995.

-- Melissa Clary

Best Dad Ever

Sixto H. Montanez, born May 9, 1928, married Angela Paz on January 5, 1959, and six children were born.

Quotes from the heart:

n Being the oldest, loving you the longest and filled with treasured memories -- Angie (52)

n You've inspired your kids to strive for the best, cherish each day, and live life to the fullest -- Sara (48)

n The number one spot in my heart is reserved for you. I love and cherish you -- Terry (47)

n Growing up, you were always here for me, now I am here for you! -- Cecilia (42)

n You believed in me when no one else did, which made me strong. I love you, Daddy -- Rosie (40)

n Being your only son, I loved playing baseball, boxing, and going fishing. Best memories ever -- Sixto Jr. (39)

n We love you, Dad. You really are the best dad ever!

A Real Man

After moving to California in 1953, my mom worked full time at the phone company. She decided to work swing shift because my dad was working the day shift and they didn't want my brother and I left with a babysitter. That meant that homework, dinner, bath time and bedtime was up to daddy. He was a "Mr. Mom" way ahead of his time. Our life revolved around what was good for the family. Every Sunday, the four of us went for a ride, didn't matter where, just that we were spending family time together.

He raised me, his daughter, to believe that I could do anything and be anything! He didn't see "GIRL," he saw potential, a blank canvas ... I don't know where he got all his faith in knowing how to be a DAD, no matter what the task -- nothing was left for Mom to do ... If it involved his kids and needed to be handled, he did it! He didn't distinguish anything per gender; we could all do anything, accomplish anything ...

I lost my dad, my best friend, my biggest fan, in June of 2010. It still hurts everyday, he can't be replaced, he can't be forgotten ... Daniel "Bumpa" Pallas, I miss you ...

-- Jackie Ferguson

Wonderful daddy

My name is Mia Angelina Sanchez. My daddy's name is Rafael Sanchez, and he is a wonderful daddy because he plays and cooks dinner for me and my little brother while my mom goes to school.

Sometimes he lets me go into his studio with him and listen to music together. He works hard at his job and on Sundays he take us to fun places. He always wants to spend time with me, my mommy and little brother Jacob.

I am very lucky to have my daddy. My mommy loves him a lot too!

-- Mia Angelina Sanchez

My Father, My Hero

My father's name is Michael Collins, and he is, without a doubt, the number one person in my life that I look up to in all ways. Ever since I was a little girl, I remember him singing to me and just making me laugh when no one else could. Still to this day, when I am in the worst mood, he can come around and make me laugh without even trying.

My brother and I have not always had the best of times, because we would always fight with each other, but when my father comes home and spends time with my mother, brother, and I, everything seems to just fall in place and feel okay.

My father will always be my hero because I know that I can trust him with anything, and I also know that he would do anything in his power to keep my brother, mother and I safe.

Even when he has had a hard day at work, he comes home with a smile on his face, and puts up a cover like everything is alright. As I continue to grow up and mature into a young lady, I will continue to look up to my father because he has taught me that no matter how hard life gets, that my brother and I must never give up.

My father is my hero and will always be, because he will always protect me in even the worst of any situation and because, he has taught me to believe that I can fly and accomplish anything I want to.

-- Taylor Collins

The best

My father, Phillip D. Grandison, is the BEST father because he retired from the United States Air Force to stay home and take care of me so I would not have to go to daycare.

My face lights up and I get a very big smile on my face every time I see my daddy's face or hear his voice. Every morning we watch a little bit of the Disney Channel, we sing songs, dance around the house and play with my toys. Every afternoon we go for long walks through the neighborhood. It's really a great day when I fall asleep on his chest and we take a nap together. I'm very well taken care of and a daddy's girl all the way. My daddy is the king of my heart and I love him dearly! Happy Father's Day!

-- Paige Noel Grandison (8 months old)

We like Dad

Dad, I love you. When you go to work, you let us play on the Wii. I like him cause he takes care of me. Thank you for taking me to Disneyland. That's why I like Disneyland. I like you. That's why you went to the store and got us some more games, like WWE. You give us birthdays. I got one more. Dad, at night when we go to sleep, dad says, yes you can have water, Ramsay. He tell me to brush my teeth 'cause he love me. I got ready for bed, put my teddy bears next to me. I said my prayers to God. I thank God for making us and for everything. My brothers make noise, and I tell him to be quiet, and that's why I like Dad.

-- Ramsay Drake (4 years old)

I like my dad because he cares about me. He buys me stuff. He takes care of my brothers too. He loves me. He will do anything to make me feel good. He takes me to all sorts of places.

I am 10 years old and my dad is Terrell Drake.

From,

-- Dexter Drake

My dad is the best dad in the world because he cares about me. He takes care of me all the time. Things he does for me is incredible. He feeds me to make sure I'm full everyday; buys me stuff because he knows I need them to get what I need done. Most dads aren't good dads like my dad. Most of them don't care about their children's life and their education. But my dad is there to do whatever it takes to give me a good education. He drives me very far everyday, at 6:40 a.m., to take me to the best school in Vegas. Whenever I need clothes for school, he buys me them. He buys things I need for me, before he buys himself anything. My dad likes to invest time in me, rather than himself. That's surely the best dad in the whole world, don't you think?

If you met my dad, you would agree with me. Everyone loves me because he is nice to everyone.

My name is Ron Drake, and I am 13 years old. My dad's name is Terrell Drake.

Thanks,

-- Ron Drake

The best and most wonderful

In the world there are many fathers, including mine. But, for many of my own reasons, I think that my dad is the best and most wonderful out of all of them.

First of all, he is understanding and forgiving. Whenever I do something wrong or something that I am not suppose to do, he gets upset at first like many people do. But, after a while, he cools off and helps me understand to make better choices next time.

My dad is also encouraging. He encourages me to do my best in school as well as play my favorite musical instrument. When I get straight A's he smiles and tells me that he's proud. After any concerts that we have or recitals that I participate in, he always says that I'm doing such a good job.

Last but not least, I'm proud of my dad for lending a hand to the nation. For more than twenty years he served in the United States Navy. He was deployed and stationed in many different places, but no matter where he was, he always worked his hardest and persevered. He is the best dad I could ever have.

-- Mia-Angela Ortega

Busy, busy dad

My dad, David Bruley, is the most wonderful guy in the entire world. He is a piano teacher for 60 students and a musician at Mastro's Ocean Club Restaurant in City Center, playing piano four nights a week. He is the busiest guy in Las Vegas, but he always makes time for me and my 5-year-old sister.

He teaches us piano, and he helped me pass my playing exam at UNLV because he taught me everything he knows.

He also loves to watch Looney Tunes with me, and he remembers back to when he was a kid watching cartoons.

I'm so proud of my dad ,and I want him to know how much he means to me and my sister.

He also celebrates his birthday the Sunday after Father's Day on June 26. We have something very exciting planned for him.

We love you, Dad. Happy Father's Day, and thank you for being in our lives.

--Brahms Bruley (9 years old)