A Father’s Day message from 10 Dayton dads
In honor of Father’s Day, we asked 10 Dayton-area dads this question: What values do you hope to pass along to the next generation? These were their honest answers:
1. Scott Calloway, Centerville
“Honestly, with my son, I tell him over and over to just be true to yourself, figure out who you are and don’t let anyone question or change that. If they do, get them out of your life because most of us adults waste 20 years trying to figure out who we are. So that’s the one thing I try to pass along to him — just be true to yourself and don’t let anything change that. That’s it.”
6. Adam Marshall, WHIO-TV Reporter
“Well, I have a daughter and a son and really, I think no matter male or female, I hope they are both considerate. I hope they’re kind, I hope they’re empowered and respectful. But, more than anything else, I want my children to be thankful. I never want them to take anything for granted. Life is kind of a roller coaster, and there will be times where they probably have abundance, and there may be times where they probably need for something, and during all of those times I hope they can learn and be thankful for that.”
2. Timothy Hickland, Kettering
“As a father, always be there for your children. Always give them love and attention and the care that they need.”
7. Partha Banerjee, Centerville
“I think honesty. That’s the first thing. They should be simple and honest. That leads you to do a lot of good things in life.”
3. David Graham, South Dayton
“Trusting in God.” 8. Christopher Adams, Riverside
“I think a sense of morals — what’s right and wrong. Even more importantly, I think a work ethic.”
4. Bill Loy, Vandalia
“Responsibility.” 9. Richard Pernod, Miamisburg
“I just hope to pass on the values of hard work, being dependable and being loyal. These things are very important to me.”
5. Chad Schmidt, Huber Heights
“Morals and work ethic. I just think that we’re losing them with every generation it seems. People aren’t working as hard. I just think the ‘Misses’ and the’ Misters’, ‘Yes Ma’am,’ ‘Yes Sirs’ aren’t there like they used to be.”
10. Denorris Hopgood, Salem Twp.
“As a father, I hope to pass on the value of a good education and a good standpoint for my kids. I want my kids to live a life that I didn’t have. I want them to have every opportunity that they possibly can because I want them to have the best that they possibly can. I want my sons to grow up and live in a better neighborhood than I did. I want them to have a good father in their lives. I want them to know how to respect everybody — adults, people and kids alike. I think anything I possibly can to keep my kids on the right path.”