Military Dad Gets a Dynamite Nomination

The Dynamite Dad Contest, sponsored by the Marriage Resource Center, asks students to tell in 100 words or fewer why their dads are awesome. Last year, 35 students entered the contest. This year, 140 students nominated 132 fathers.

The winners in each category (Joe Nefflen, Ron Blizzard, Patrick Dorman, Timothy Rhanis, Jim Zablosky and Ken Emerick) will be honored at an awards ceremony tonight at 6 p.m. at TownMall Westminster, in the open area between Belk and The Mustard Seed. The public is invited to attend. 

Here is a winning nomination for a military dad, fitting for Flag Day.

Joe Nefflen of Westminster, a field supervisor working in Afghanistan, was nominated by daughters Julianna, 6, Jessica, 10, and Victoria, 13.

Julianna, 6: My dad is awesome because he plays basketball and he knows how to cook. My dad loves me very much and he protects me.

Jessica, 10: My Dad is awesome because he’s my dad! Right now he is in Afghanistan helping the troops protect our freedom. My dad has been gone a lot since I was born because of 9/11. My dad is going to miss my tenth birthday but he got me a fly fishing rod for my birthday present before he left. He is teaching me how to fish and we will get to fish when he comes home. I really miss him but I know I’ll see him soon.

Victoria, 13,  an excerpt from a longer piece: My dad is awesome because he is courageous. It takes a ton of courage to leave your family to fight in a war,  knowing that you may never see them again. You see, my dad has juggled being a soldier, an engineer and a parent since the days I was born. He works long hours to provide for us and to protect our freedom. He makes me do my best and succeed in everything I do. He protects me from danger and makes me feel safe. If I could give my dad anything, it would be for him to see himself the way I see him, so he would know just how important he is to me. 

Check Patch tomorrow to see more winning nominations.