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As early as I can remember I have felt blessed. I am one of those fortunate ones who have had the awesome opportunity to be influenced by two incredible fathers. The decisions of my parents, though more the "norm" by today's standards than those of my youth, actually rendered blessings in the form of an extended family of brothers and sisters and "moms" and "dads". I am grateful that my story is a good one and always mindful that I am the exception, not the rule, as found in many families today.

As I examine the gifts that each of my parents have instilled in me, I have to say that overall I am my father's child. That statement in NO WAY diminishes the many attributes that I claim from my mother and others in my family, but I have been told many a time, "you sure are your father's child!" I get my height and practicality from my daddy. I guess you can say that I am a "daddy's girl."

When my stepfather was living, he set an example of how I should be treated by his actions. In fact, one of my favorite memories of him is when he and I were on a "daddy /daughter " date and he told me that, "you should expect nothing less from people than to be treated with class because you deserve it." I was 10 years old at the time and all I thought I deserved was allowance and to stay up until 9 o'clock on a weeknight! Those words have stayed with me though and I cherish them. I try to live that principle through my actions today as an example to my own girls. I am so blessed to have and have had the influence of two great men.

In honor of Father's Day, let me share some great thoughts and happenings for two "fathers" on the Spring Hill label.

I recently spoke with Duane Allen and Joe Bonsall, two very proud "dads", of the Oak Ridge Boys. Before I go any further, I am excited to tell you that The Oak Ridge Boys have completed their third release with Spring Hill Music Group entitled, Colors. Put simply, it's about faith, family, freedom, flag, friends, kids, homes and hometowns.

Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the Oaks felt led to address the mood of this great country to honor it's strength, endurance and steadfast will to weather any storm. The Colors project is in-step with the mood of this county right now. Each song stirs something within the listener, whether it be patriotism, family values and love, or in some instances, the "Absence of Love", which is the title of one of the tunes on the CD. Woven like a musical tapestry, Colors has something for every musical taste. From bluegrass and up-beat rhythms to nostalgic melodies, all musical appetites are fed on this tribute to Americana today.

Now back to the Oaks:

Duane Allen, lead singer for the Oaks, shared one of his most memorable childhood lessons that he now has passed down to his own children. "Always tell the truth so you don't have to remember what you've said," recalls Duane. Another strong value with which he credited his father (and mother) was the importance of Jesus Christ as the foundation. "We have a wonderful Christian home and family for which I am very grateful," states Duane. Duane recounts his dad always saying, " always take care of the very young and very old…the ones in the middle should have sense enough to take care of themselves." I know I can relate to that one…my dad says the very same thing!

Father's Day is especially emotional these days for tenor singer Joe Bonsall, since he recently completed a book commemorating the lives of his father and mother called "GI Joe and Lillie" (New Leaf Press, 2003).

This story is a beautifully written tribute to the lives of his decorated WWII veteran father GI Joe (the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart with Two Oak Leaf Clusters) and his mother, the love of his father's life and the woman who stood by her soldier to the very end, Lillie.

With a forward from former first lady Barbara Bush, this book is a wonderful journey. All of the core values that this country is founded on- loyalty, freedom, love, and faith- come to life delightfully at times through the love story of Joe's parents in this book. There are other times you will find yourself wiping away tears and laughing at the same time.

Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion! Joe gives the reader a beautiful account of his dad, a "streetwise kid from Philly" and his mother, the Army Corps nurse who became the light of a weary soldier's life.

A song of the same title gives a heartwarming musical account of the book's contents. The chorus tugs at the listener's heartstrings as you can almost see Lillie comforting GI Joe through his pain:

Let me hold you in my arms handsome soldier
Take my hand, for we are going home today
Let me kiss away your tears
Let me pray away your fears
I'll stay here with you
Until they carry us away
(from "GI Joe and Lillie"- on the Colors CD- lyrics by Joseph S. Bonsall, Jr)

In a recent conversation, Joe recounts these memories of his dad:

Fifty-nine years ago, on June 6, 1944, my own father as a young man of eighteen hit the Normandy Beach, code named UTAH-on D-Day.

I knew he had run away and joined the Army. I knew about D-Day, St Lo, his Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters.

I knew he was a hard worker. He loved my sister and me, and especially his Lillie, with all of his heart. I knew he was only 39 years of age when he had his debilitating stroke.

And I knew he spent his entire disabled life feeling badly about what he perceived to be his shortcomings.

I knew he was very proud that his son (me) made something of himself-despite his fear that I might turn out to be useless because he was not mechanically inclined and couldn't hammer a nail straight into a piece of wood if his life depended on it.

I remember as a small boy watching my dad do a half gainer into a somersault off a high diving board at Cedar Lake Point, when I couldn't have even imagined climbing the ladder. I remember going to the plant with him at midnight when he was called in to fix some huge piece of machinery that only he could fix.

When that man would watch me sing on a big stage with The Oak Ridge Boys, he would smile the whole time while fighting back tears of joy. My daddy was proud of me. What more could a son ask?

Daddy only had until age 39. From there on he needed more care than he was able to give. But give he did. The man loved his son, and he came to love Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for him. His strong and manly embrace was always soothing to me and he made me feel protected. Even as an old man, he would put the good arm around me, hold on as hard as he could-and weep.

What more can a man ask of his father? A man who worked hard, loved his family, and faced a tough row to hoe his entire life? Yet he still found enough time...... to change the history of the world.

And on being a "dad" himself, Joe says:

God in Heaven knows that I love my two daughters with all of my heart. They have both grown into wonderful and beautiful women, and I would hope that my love and support have had a little to do with it.

Joe's Father's Day prayer remembering his dad:

I pray that God will gather him up and cradle him deep within His everlasting arms on this Father's Day.

As I close this month, let me remind you that wherever you are, YOU ARE your Heavenly Father's child. He loves you completely and proved it by covering you with the blood of his son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember your fathers on earth and our forefathers of yesteryear, Were it not for their bravery and courage we would not be enjoying the liberties that we have today. The cry of my heart is that we all say a prayer for the families who will not spend Father's Day with their loved one because of the recent conflicts in Iraq and other countries.

On a personal note, Happy Father's Day to my dad, Stuart Jones in Richmond VA. I love you always and I wish I could be with you! Thanks for believing in me ALWAYS! I am proud to be your girl! You are my sunshine!

My prayers go to the sky for my "other" daddy waiting for me at the gates, John E. Fahed, and my World War II veteran grandfather, Thomas Calvin Lewis - I miss you both terribly but I know Heaven will be that much sweeter when I see your faces standing beside my Lord when I come home! I will always love you!

Until next month, may God richly bless us all!

Buffi
_____________________________________
Buffi J. Holland
Spring Hill Music Group
National Radio Promotions Coordinator


Psalms 100:Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

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