Any day is a good day to tell someone you love them. But today is the day to tell Dad how much you appreciate all he has done for you.

The following stories highlight just three of the thousands of fathers in The T&D Region. One was both mother and father while his wife served in the National Guard overseas; one has been recognized time and again for the role he has played in his eight children's lives; and one will be celebrating his first Father's Day home following a 14-month deployment to Afghanistan. Each of their stories is unique, but all three of the dads take their role to heart.

Jene Dunba: 'He does a wonderful job of keeping our family together.'

Jene Dunbar is a devoted father to his and wife Retina's three children -- 8-year-old twins Kristopher and Kayannia and 5-year-old Isaiah. And sometimes, because of Retina's job, Jene assumes dual roles as a "mom-dad."

"My husband, like most married couples whose spouses are deployed in foreign countries, went from sharing the responsibilities of caring for, rearing and nurturing our children to carrying the full responsibility when I was sent to Afghanistan," said Retina, a specialist E-4 with the Army National Guard. "Jene held down a full-time job, managed the household obligations and took care of our three children.

"He does a wonderful job of keeping our family together."

Jene said military families often face challenges that civilian families don't normally experience. From maintaining long-distance relationships to juggling work and play time, he said many allowances must be made for the unexpected occurrences associated with military life.

"My wife had four days of leave remaining before she was scheduled to return to Afghanistan when Edisto Primary School notified Retina that Kristopher appeared to be having a panic attack," Jene said. "The pediatrician confirmed this, and our son went from being an A student with no behavioral problems to refusing to sit in his class and not completing assignments. He didn't eat or sleep as he should.

"Retina's leave was extended a few days, but she had to return to Afghanistan. I was faced with the difficult task of dealing with Kristopher's separation anxiety attacks and ensuring that our other children were receiving the quality time they needed."

But Jene said the community worked with him to help his family during this difficult time.

"Through the wonderful support system of Pastor Mozella Isaac, the staff and faculty of Edisto Primary School and the grace of God, things eventually returned to normal," he said.

In Retina's absence, Jene also had to face another huge challenge to be able to take care of his children.

"I am a driver with H.T. Hackney, and my work hours at that time were not compatible with my role as a sole parent during my wife's absence," he said. "Therefore, I had to quit. But thankfully, I found employment with SCDOT, where the work hours allowed me to take my children to school in the mornings and pick them up from day care after school."

While Retina was stationed at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan, Jene and the children frequently sent her care packages, letters and e-mails. Retina called home as often as possible. Jene took his children fishing, played board games and basketball, romped outdoors with the family's German shepherds, and Jene said he perfected his culinary skills. As a result of Jene's good cooking, their favorite meal now is barbecue chicken, baked beans and corn on the cob.

This Father's Day, now that Retina is home, the Dunbar family plans to attend church services together, and they anticipate going to the movie theater to watch "The Incredible Hulk."

Jene refers to his experiences as a "mom-dad" as educational and rewarding in many ways.

"As a father, I am focused on setting a good example for my sons so they can become strong and positive male figures in society and know how to support their families, if they choose to have one," he said. "Also, I am demonstrating to my daughter that it is okay for a man to help carry the responsibilities of supporting, nurturing and rearing his children, and if she decides to marry, she will know what qualities to look for in a husband."

Jene said being a good dad means ensuring that all the needs of his children are met.

"From rearing them in a Christian atmosphere and spending quality time with them to listening to their dreams, thoughts and ideas they each have about life, parenting is important me," he said. "Overall, being a good dad means being dedicated, attentive, devoted."

Edward Fersner: 'God has truly blessed me through my children ... '

When Edward and Wilhelmina Fersner exchanged their wedding

vows nearly 60 years ago, they made a promise to always love and respect one another and to maintain a Christian home. This promise established a foundation for the rearing of eight children and made a positive influence on countless others over the years.

"My father was the head of the household, and I never heard my parents argue or disagree in the presence of their children," said Fersner's daughter, the Rev. Joyce Colter. "My father made wise decisions and guided us in the right direction, and my mother backed him up. I think it's important today for father's to be the head of their household and set a good example for his children."

Edward Fersner of Orangeburg has many wonderful memories of fatherhood. He said his children -- Edward, Alvin, Wilma, Joyce, Anna, Yvonne, Marilyn and Lakeisha -- have brought him great joy.

"I always tried to be a supportive father and worked hard to insure that my children received a college education," Fersner said. "I raised livestock to pay for their tuition, and believe it or not, I paid for their college education for 26 consecutive years. While tuition was cheaper in those days, it was still a great sacrifice and expense for me because I didn't make much money. But my desire to give my children a college education kept me going."

Colter said her father instilled in his children the desire to excel in their studies, careers and families.

"My father also taught us the value of hard work, and we have always been a church-going family," she said. "We were taught at an early age to believe and trust in God. We enjoy family gatherings, and our family keeps growing. There are 18 grandchildren and seven great-grands, and we have a wonderful time together."

Fersner doesn't let the fact that he is 84 years old stand in the way of his passion for farming. He grows collard greens and a variety of vegetables on some 60 acres of land. He says he passed his knowledge of farming and livestock raising on to his children.

Fersner was employed with the Management Investment Corp. in Orangeburg for nearly 40 years, working as a maintenance supervisor and custodian. He has also worked with the S.C. Regional Housing Authority No. 3 and at Landmark Towers in Orangeburg.

Fersner says he never expected to be recognized for leading a productive life, but in August 1982, the Fersners of Orangeburg were selected as South Carolina's Family of the Year. And in February 2002, they were chosen as the National Black Family of the Year by the National Black Family Summit, sponsored by the University of South Carolina.

Fersner has also been awarded an honorary doctorate degree in humanities from the Rev. Dr. C.E. Graham Bible Seminary and has served as chaplain of the Orangeburg Chapter of Young Farmers Association and treasurer of the Small Farmers Association/Clemson Extension Program.

His awards are noted on engraved plaques and framed documents. But among Fersner's most honorable mementoes is a hand-written note from a young man named Daniel Williams that reads, "Mr. Edward Fersner is not my Father, but he did so many fatherly things to keep me out of trouble, and put me in the right direction. I thank him very much."

"God has truly blessed me through my children and friends, and I am thankful to be celebrating another Father's Day," he said.

Paul Hamilton: 'We are proud of Paul for his dedicated service to his country.'

Sgt. Paul Hamilton of Cordova served 14 months in Afghanistan as a member of the National Guard's Company B 163rd Support Battalion. While working in the maintenance shop daily, his thoughts would turn to happy times spent with his family back in the United States. He kept a family photograph tucked inside his wallet to help ease the separation from time to time and counted the days until he returned to South Carolina.

"We kept the lines of communication going using the telephone as often as possible," Paul said. "We didn't write many letters because it would take seven to 10 days to get mail."

When Paul says "we," he is referring to his wife, Margaret, and daughters, 10-year-old Maggie and Lacy, 8, who attend Edisto schools.

"My wife is a stay-at-home mom who takes good care of her family," Paul said.

Margaret says her husband plans to retire someday from the National Guard, but right now, he's enjoying serving his country.

"His being in Afghanistan, and the girls and me being in Cordova, was difficult at times," she said. "But we are proud of Paul for his dedicated service to his country."

Paul said he plans to make up for lost time with his family, and a future beach outing might be in the works.

"We are settling back into our regular routine," he said "I plan to spend Father's Day with my family. After church, we'll play a few games and relax a while around the house. We may watch a movie together, but the main plan is to spend the day together."

Paul says now that he has returned from Afghanistan, he is looking forward to continuing his service with the National Guard on "home soil." He doesn't have much to say about his duties in Afghanistan.

"I just want to say it is good to be home with my family for Father's Day," he said. "The girls really missed their daddy. And I'd like to remind everyone to pray for the troops who are presently serving in foreign countries. The U.S. troops need our prayers and continued support."

T&D Features Writer Sonja Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at sgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

"What Makes a Dad"

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad.

-- Author Unknown

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