I had the sincere pleasure of helping out with the Daddy/Daughter dance at the Bellevue Housing Center in DC. Andy and I helped last year and it was our honor to be there again. The afternoon was filled with a lot of arts and crafts for the children and many hugs for the parents. I also was able to participate in my first soul train dance!

Thank you to the Fleet and Family services for your commitment to providing support for our military families. A special thank you to Jacquline Hayes and all of the volunteers who made the second year one to be remembered by all.

Deanna Linz

Mrs Alabama International 2009

To my Daddy in heaven~It was June when you went to heaven and each Father's Day I miss you more and more.

In memory of my Father~ Harold Thomas Pemberton

God saw he was getting tired
And a cure was not meant to be
So He put His arms around him
And whispered, "Come with Me"

With tearful eyes
We watched him fade away
Although we love him dearly
we could not make him stay

A golden heart stopped beating
working hands were laid to rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us
HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST

I remember in 2006 I was sitting by the pool on a very sunny Fathers Day. My husband was deployed to Iraq and I was alone trapped in a world of thoughts. As I was sitting there, my phone rang. It was staff duty out of Germany. They called to inform me that there had been an IED attack but my husband had not been injured. They often did this as word travels fast and this helps to ease the minds of the families left behind. Unfortunately, that day one soldier lost his life and two others were injured. All I kept thinking was it was Fathers Day and the children of these men would remember this every Fathers Day for the rest of their lives. I remember this too...and will always.

On this Fathers Day, please remember to say thank you to all who serve or have served for this country. Too the Dad's everywhere, thank you and God Bless.

To my wonderful husband, HAPPY FATHERS DAY! We love you...you are a DADDY THIS YEAR TOO!

This past week has been full of blessings and joy. After 165 days in the NICU, my son came home. To say we are excited and proud does not do our emotions justice. He is a miracle. At birth we knew Carter had a very slim chance survival at 23 weeks gestation. It was less than 15%. We were told during the course that he may not make it through the night. He did and he is my fighter.

During our journey we met so many wonderful people. Staff, patients...friends. You never know in life what people actually go through until you live it. It has been an incredibly emotional journey.

I know at times some may like to take a situation and turn it into a reason of negativity or not going on with your life. From the outside looking in it may have been easy to judge me and my family for choices we made and continue to make. It is the strength inside that carries us as a family and that same strength will get us through any journey. God is great.

My life is not one of pity but it is one of circumstance. Ever day in the NICU I witnessed another family experiencing a similar situation so how dare I feel sorry for myself. We are home from the NICU....

Andy and I have been involved with many organizations that encourage the support of our military community and their families for over 5 years. In the past 165 days, it is those families and the military community that has lifted us up and saved my sons life.

Thank you to the National Naval Medical Center and its staff for all you have done and continue to do daily in support of our military community.

Yesterday, it was my turn to give back. The Armed Forces Foundation host meals at Walter Reed, National Naval and HH MCQuire. It was my honor to serve you...thank you...

MAJ Christopher, Deanna & Carter Linz