What Does YOUR Daddy Do?
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What Does YOUR Daddy Do? BY: Heather Vowell Pierce Illustrated By: Dana Price
"Oh, Hadley, it will be fine. You know your Daddy would be here if he could. I will stay with you the whole time. Let's wipe those tears and go into class.” "But mom do I have to? Remember what that one girl said, that I don't have a daddy because he isn't here to do stuff with me. That her dad takes her everywhere and my daddy can't.” "Now, dear, you know your dad doesn't have a choice. Your daddy's job is unlike other daddy's jobs. Most children don't understand or know about a military job and that is why it is so important for you to tell about what your Dad does while he is away and not with you. “ "Here are the things your dad sent you from his work to show. Your friends will be so excited to see these real Army things. “ "I want him not his stuff!” Hadley says sobbing. "I understand, but since we can't have that, let's be a big girl and make daddy proud by telling about his job.” Each of you is going to come and tell us about your Dad and what your Dad's job is since it is “Dad's Day at Work”. Jack shouts with excitement, “My dad is so cool. He is a contractor. He has all sorts of cool tools, trucks, and equipment. He builds houses. Once he built one that was as tall as a castle Mumbling, Hadley begins, “Well, my dad can't be here today. He is a soldier in the Army. So he sent his army `quipment…” "Does he fight people?” Jack asks. Hadley's head rising higher now, says, “He says they only fight if they have to. They are there to help the other people learn how not to fight. "Does he have to be gone a lot?” Raven asked. "Well, not always, just when the Army calls. He says when they call he has to go no matter what. He doesn't always want to, but he says it is part of his job.” "Doesn't that make you sad?” Raven asks. "Yeah, I miss him. It makes mom sad and it makes him sad too. He has to give up time with me, my sisters, and my mom.” Hadley replies. "Then why would he do that job?” Lilly asks. Hadley's head held high now. “I asked him that and he says that someone has to make sure that our America is safe so that my family and other people's families can live the way we want and not be scared. “ "So your dad's job helps my family stay safe?” Lilly replies. "I think so. It seems like my Daddy being a soldier helps everyone else do their work because they don't have to go fight or be worried all the time. I was sad to be here today without Daddy, but now I am glad.
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About the Book
It's "Dad's Day at Work" day at school. "Everyone's dads will be there except mine," Hadley thinks,"he always has to be gone. The Army took him away again. What will the other kids think? Will they laugh at me since my dad isn't here? Will they say I don't have a dad again? Mom says its important for me to tell about dad's job and how it helps other people. I have this cool stuff he sent me to show but I just want him..."
About the Author
Knowing and understanding her husband's duty to his country and his family she has taken on the responsibility of raising her children on her own, as so many other mothers and fathers have while their spouses were away on a military tour. As a mother, Heather Vowell Pierce, has had the difficult job of explaining to her daughters why their father's job in the Army takes him away from them so much. She felt the need to write this story to tell her daughters and other children of military parents that their parents job is very important. She also hoped that children of non-military families would see just how vital and instrumental our military is to our daily living.