WHAT DAD SAID: AREA RESIDENTS TALK ABOUT LESSONS THEY LEARNED FROM THEIR FATHERS

The virtues of motherhood are often recognized in the thoughts, words and deeds of children everywhere. Moms are the ones most often called upon to kiss away hurts and wipe away tears, and the phrase "Hi, Mom!" is the favorite saying for children who gain a second in any spotlight.

Fathers seem to be gaining in popularity, however. Highly recognized people like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, among others, have openly displayed their love for their fathers to the world. U.S. Senator John Ashcroft, R-Missouri, recently released the book "Lessons from a Father to His Son," detailing the advice he received from his father throughout childhood.

Locally, Cape Girardeau residents Morley Swingle, J.J. Williamson and John Mehner said the celebration of Father's Day brings to mind the special relationships they have shared with their fathers.

John Mehner, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, said the values of Christianity were the most important lessons he received from his father, Jack Mehner. Tolerance is an often-forgotten trait that Jack emphasized, said his son, along with integrity and upright behavior.

"He may not remember, but when I was in the eighth or ninth grade he mentioned something he called the front page test," said John. "He told me to look at my activities and what I'm doing and always think about whether I'd be proud to have it there on the front page of the newspaper. That's something that's always stuck out in my mind."

Mehner said he continues to enjoy a "great" relationship with his father and is glad they live in close proximity so his three sons can receive similar lessons first-hand. Although his sons are a little young to understand the front page test, John said he hopes they will value the lessons of Christianity as much as he does.

Insurance agent James "J.J." Williamson Jr. said he also works hard to pass along the values he received from James Williamson Sr. to his three sons. J.J. said his father was a man of few words -- unlike himself. However, when the elder Williamson did take the time to speak, he would "tell you some things you needed to listen to," said his son.

J.J. said the most important lesson he received from his father was to work hard to achieve your dreams. Although teased by other children for having a "professor-like" personality and for making good grades, his father supported him and urged him to work hard to achieve his dream of being a highway patrolman.

"He always told me don't worry about that and do the best you can do and let yourself shine," J.J. said. "When I finally accomplished that goal and became a trooper he was really proud. I'm glad he got to be there for that."

J.J. said his relationship with his father was fostered by a shared love of the outdoors. The two often had intimate conversations while hunting and fishing together, and J.J.'s son Reggie, 24, said he also enjoyed the outdoors with the two men.

"We had to go with Grandpa a lot because he was the one who had the dogs, and everybody knew if he didn't go hunting, his dogs didn't go hunting," said Reggie with a laugh. "I guess what they taught me was that it's going to be a rough life no matter what you do. You're always going to have obstacles so you might as well face that and get on with your life."

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney H. Morley Swingle experienced hardship first-hand at the age of 9 when his father died. Missouri highway patrolman Morley G. Swingle was an athletic, scholarly man who "was the sort of person who was good at anything he would do," said his son.

His best memories of his father are of the three-week theme vacations his family loaded into the station wagon to take every summer and of the many days spent in the saddle with his father, who was an avid horseman.

"I remember when my mom told me he had died the first thought that went through my head was we'd never be able to ride together again," said the younger Swingle. "He created all those memories for me so that even though he ended up dying young, I feel like I really did have a lot of good times with him."

Morley said probably his father's most important value was probably his tremendous dedication to his family. Several promotions that would have required his father to relocate and spend more time away from home were turned down over the years so he could raise his family in Cape Girardeau, Morley said. This trait is what Morley now tries to share with his two daughters.

"I've seen so many families where the parents' idea is to dump the kids somewhere else and take the trip by themselves," he said. "I've just admired him as the type of man I would like to be and I've tried to follow his example."

20 GREAT SAYINGS FROM DADS

* Don't ask me. Ask you mother

* Were you raised in a barn? Close the door.

* A little dirt never hurt anyone. Just wipe it off.

* I told you, keep your eye on the ball.

* You call that a haircut?

* This will hurt me a lot more than it hurts you.

* Turn off those lights. Do you think I made of money?

* In MY day...

* We're not lost. I'm Just not sure where we are.

* As long as you live under my roof, you'll live by my rules.

* C'mon, you throw like a girl.

* You should visit more often. Your mother worries.

* If you shake it more than three times, you're playing with it.

* I'm not sleeping, I was watching that channel.

* I'm not just talking to hear my own voice!

* Are you trying to air condition the house? Close the refrigerator!

* When I was a kid we were so poor, I ate dirt and was glad to have it.

* Go tell your mother she wants you.

* If your friend jumped off a bridge, would you?

* What do you think I am, a bank?

HISTORY OF FATHER'S DAY

1909 The "mother" of Father's Day was Mrs. John Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Wash., who first proposed the idea of a Father's Day celebration in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted to honor her father, William Smart. Mr. Smart was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. He raised the newborn and his other five children by himself.

1910 The first Father's Day was observed in Spokane.

1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of national Father's Day.

1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the thrid Sunday in June as Father's Day.