Me and My Dad ...My dad’s family has an awesome history. His ancestors came from England to Virginia in the 1500’s, from Holland to NYC in the 1600’s, and from Germany to the Shenandoah Valley where the family established the Stoneberger Lutheran Church in the 1700’s. Also, one of Dad’s great-grandmothers was an Ioway Tribe Native American. Tragically, this latter attribute was kept secret for a few generations. Dad married my mom, his high-school sweetheart, just 2 years after graduation. I’m proud of all the above, but on to MY life with Dad. ...Dad and I tried very hard to be besties because we loved each other. My earliest memories were of watching classic Westerns together viewing a black & white TV set. On that same sofa, I remember being tickled when I tried to tickle Dad first. I became convinced that he had no soft spot in that game. ...When I was a kid, I liked going fishing with Dad. I always asked him if we could use a boat. Repeatedly and patiently, Dad reminded me that noise could scare the fish away. Maybe that's why he seemed to prefer fishing from the shore...at least when I tagged along. I never feared dragon flies because, while fishing with Dad, he taught me to appreciate those dragon flies. “They eat mosquitoes” he said patiently. ...When I was a tween, Dad sponsored a race car driver who worked for Dad at “Lee’s 66 Service” with Phillips 66 gasoline pumps and service station. I really enjoyed going to the races with Dad. He would always sponsor a tailgate party at the races. When I myself worked at “the station” I learned about counting back change, about customer service and about cars. Thank you, Dad. ...As I was becoming a man, Dad often took me to the gun club he was a member of. He wanted me to learn how to protect myself in the way law-abiding citizens were expected to do. Dad was a great teacher, but I feared I would not remember how to take care of a gun without Dad around, so I did not continue this tradition. We didn't really have many of the same interests except love of family.. But it's all good. Dad continued to love and encourage me always. ...Happy Father’s Day to all who remember loving times with their dad’s or other father figures, and to all Fathers who love their kids. --Mark Stoneberger--