Some reasons for celebrating dads today

I think my dad, George Baumgartner, deserves the honor of being World's Greatest Dad because he has done so much for me in my life. My dad supports me on almost all of my decisions that I make every day, he's been there to see me when I run at my track meets and when I get awards. He's been there for me since I was born. It's been almost 14 years, and when I think about it, he would die for me. My dad has helped me through all of my problems in my life, he's into everything that my brothers and I do. He's wrapped his whole life around us. I really don't think he could go through the day without us.

Also, when I look at my dad I see a person with such a great sense of humor who can just make you laugh and a person with such a great heart who is so caring. He also has a lot of wisdom and he's a fantastic dad. He's truly my hero, and there are not enough words to describe how much I love him.

Love always,

Krista Baumgartner

Carson City

'He works hard so my mom can stay home'

My dad is really cool because he knows everything about computers. He works hard so my mom can stay home. I really love it when he jumps on the trampoline with me. I love him lots.

Tanner O'Barr, age 6

'My dad takes me out for pizza'

I think my dad is the best. He teaches me new things all the time. He also jumps on the trampoline with me. My dad helps me practice piano. And he plays games with me. My dad is really kind. Every Friday my dad takes me out for pizza and then we come home to watch a movie. My dad is really exciting. I love him a lot.

Emma O'Barr, age 8

'Our father calls us every morning before school'

We feel our father Edward Alexander is worthy of the honor of World's Greatest Dad. He lives in Carson City with his family of a wife, a stepson and another son. He has two jobs, one with the state of Nevada, and the other with ReMax Realty Affiliates. On top of all that we just mentioned, he drives more than 200 miles every other weekend to visit us in Ceres, Calif. No matter what, our father has never missed a weekend, even in the snow.

Our father calls us every morning before school. He writes down our spelling words we give him on Monday and tests us every morning. We love our father very much and appreciate all that he does for us. We will soon be separated, due to the oldest moving to Carson City to live with our father. I know as the youngest, my father will still make that drive every two weeks to see me, and when I turn 12, I will move to Carson City also.

We don't really know how to express to our father how we feel, so that is why we feel that he deserves World's Greatest Dad.

Kaitlyn, 12, and Lindsey, 9, Alexander

Ceres, Calif.

'If he could be sick for me he would'

My dad, Kenny Marlin, is wonderful, not because he needs to be, but because he loves me. He gets our family everything that we need. He works all day so that my mom can stay home and take care of us. My dad is nice, funny, smart, tall and he is a very good cook. I go down to his shop and try to help out. He teaches me a lot about cars. My dad should win the Father's Day contest because he is always doing things for everyone else and it would be nice for someone to do something for him. When I am sick, he stays by my side and he tells me that if he could be sick for me that he would. I hope that he wins because I would love for him to see it in the paper that he reads every single morning.

Thank you,

Sierra Marlin

Carson City

'Been there for me no matter what'

Being supportive, having fun and holding trust are just a few things involved in the relationship between Dad and me. There have been times when I have let him down and made him feel like a failure as a father, but we have always gotten through them. My dad, Roy Thompson, has always been there for me no matter what. He has made the best of any situation, even if it is bad, and shown the greatest attitude toward everything. The most amazing thing about Dad is his ability to try things and make them work even if they really shouldn't work out the way he planned. He does this with math problems, his job, building and fixing things and just plain difficulties in life. Everything always has a way of working out for him.

Dad lights up a room. He can make everyone laugh at his silly jokes and keep everyone happy. I love him for all of these qualities, but most of all, I love how he is as my dad. He is playful, understanding, energetic and always ready for something new. Dad is amazing in many more ways than one, but there is one which no one will ever know as well as I do, and that is as my awesome dad. He is truly the world's greatest dad.

Courtney Thompson

Fatherhood: 'is definitely not a painless undertaking'

Being a caring, supporting, and loving father is not a simple task, but instead a lifetime endeavor towards wife and children. Some men choose to stay away from this life-long commitment; however, this is not the story of my father. In fact this is the exact opposite of my father who has taken on the responsibility of raising four children with tremendous effort. This is definitely not a painless undertaking because it is entrusted with extreme down sides and difficult situations, but I believe my father has made the best of everything and raised his children to the best of his abilities.

I have realized that a child is born into this world without being given the choice to choose who his parents will be, and I was luckily blessed with the best of the best of fathers. I love my father, and I always will because I know he will never give up on me, my siblings, my mother, or anyone else. My father will gladly take on any challenge with loving fire in his eyes. This is why in my eyes I clearly see my dad as the best dad in the world. I love you, Kevin Updegrove!

From your loving children

'He is like MacGyver but better'

Vuki Wilson is the best dad, because he raised four boys who can take on anything. He is truly the man. Many people may argue, but we'll put our dad up against any dad, even Chuck Norris. How many people do you know who can run a construction business, be the president of a racing organization, be a husband, and deal with four brats the whole time. He is like MacGyver but better, he can make anything work. He is amazing.

He is the hardest working man not just in Carson City, but probably west of the Mississippi. He cares for and loves all four of us with all of his heart, and we all wanted to let him know how much he means to us. Dad, you're the greatest, and we wouldn't trade you for the world. We wouldn't even trade you for Dale Earnhardt. You teach us so much, and stick by our sides through everything. Happy Fathers' Day; you deserve it.

Love, Bobby, Billy, Reece, Race

'He always had a positive outlook on life'

My father is the world's greatest dad because he was always there for me, through the good times and the bad times. He always had a positive outlook on life and he passed these traits along to me.

My dad was such a good role model for me. He taught me the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would want done unto you. This rule has carried me through my life and now I teach my children the Golden Rule.

He also taught me to do good things for other people without any reward or money. I would ask why. He would say, "Do it out of the goodness of your heart." When I was younger, those words didn't mean much to me, but as I grew older, I realized how true those words were.

The life lessons I have learned from my dad could not be found in a book. They were from his heart. As I sit here and think about my dad, a tear falls down my cheek. You see my dad is in heaven now, but his spirit lives on in my heart and always will.

Thank you dad for all your love and teaching me the Golden Rule and being there for me.

Happy Father's Day

P.S. I hope this message gets to you on the wings of angels.

Donna Batis-Wungnema

Carson City

'He is a good citizen'

This is why my dad is the best. He can fish, play basketball, is an excellent runner, knows great vacation spots to go to, gets up early to take me to breakfast without waking up my sisters, is always the best person ever, is a great doctor, is always nice to me and tells great stories after dinner. He loves my sisters and my mom as well as his own mom and dad. He is a good citizen who obeys U.S. law and God's law. And best of all, he's MY dad.

I am Luke Doyle. I am 11 years old.

'He is forever making sacrifices'

My dad is the greatest dad in the whole world. When I was younger he told stories of far away places. He would put me in his lap and read to me. He eventually taught me to read and make up stories of my own. He taught me how to ride a bike and how to tie my shoes. But most important, he taught me the importance of life and faith. He still does today. He hardly ever yells. He never swears. So I am confident that I can come to him whenever I have a problem or if I am confused. Whenever I failed at something or felt unhappy, he would always smile and tell me to try again. He still encourages me in everything that I do. Without my dad, I would not be the person I am today. The most important thing that I learn from him today is to put others before myself. He is forever making sacrifices; however small or large they might be. He is one of the biggest role models in my life, and one day I hope to be exactly like him; a kind, loving parent that my children can look up to.

Gabriela Doyle, Age 14