"Let all daddies come home": Happy Father's Day in Ukraine
Father's Day is celebrated in Ukraine on 18 June 2023. Father's Day has been celebrated in our country since 2019. This day is celebrated in more than 30 countries of the world.
The idea of the holiday belongs to the American Sonora Dodd. In 1910, she proposed to honour dads along with Mother's Day. In this way, Sonora Dodd wanted to thank her father, who raised six children on his own after the death of her mother. The celebration of Father's Day on the third Sunday of June was later picked up by other countries, in particular Ukraine.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, wished all fathers longevity and health, as well as that every father who is currently on the front lines returns home.
"I thank every Ukrainian father, every Ukrainian family for our strong and brave soldiers who defend independence and fight for the life of Ukraine!" he wrote.
The Patrol Police of Ukraine also congratulates its employees on Father's Day.
"Being a father is more than a duty. Parenthood is a great vocation, not a personal choice. A father is a protector of his child. And if your dad is a patrolman, then this protection is multiplied by two. The war separated parents from their families. However, no matter how far they are, their sons and daughters are always waiting for them. We sincerely thank all the dads who fight for Ukraine. We are proud of you. A bright memory to the Heroes who, unfortunately, will not return home," says the Patrol police.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published a video for Father's Day with soldiers of the 105th Separate Territorial Defence Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and their children.
The soldiers of the 72nd separate mechanised brigade join in the congratulations:
"He (the father) brings up, worries, takes care, makes you laugh when things are really bad, supports, protects. You thank him for that... And hug him."
The state border service wishes every father to return home.
Soldiers from the 2nd mechanised battalion of the 67th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps published photos of fathers and sons serving together.
"Dad is a family man who loves his son infinitely, always worries about him and protects him. How important it is to feel a reliable father's shoulder, especially next to him! In our battalion, there are fathers who serve together with their sons. They tirelessly fight side by side for the future of their relatives, for all Ukrainians!" - says the military.
The 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade, named after Hetman Taras Tryasylo, dedicated the following lines to dads:
"Dad in the trench. Dad on the gun. Dad with a machine gun. Dad with a shovel. Dad on the road. Dad in the ‘house’. Dad does not sleep. Dad is not tired. Dad loves his daughter. Dad loves his son. Dad loves his dad and mom. Dad loves his people. Dad shows pictures. Dad hides them near his heart. Dad can't hear well now. Dad turns on the ‘call home’ at full volume. Dad only on the phone. Dad ‘will be soon’. Dad ‘To the end, to victory!’ He promises to return. But for now, he can't do otherwise. Because who else but Dad?
Happy Father's Day! All those who are at war. Who is waiting for someone to return from the war. Who is already in heaven protecting our little strong future. Who wore a pixel and became a father to all children of Ukraine."
Albert Lores
The Special Operations Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine joins in the congratulations:
Happy Father's Day!
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, writes that he is proud of every father who defends Ukraine from Russians:
"A Ukrainian father is the bravest because he protects his family, home and Motherland. He is a worthy example for his children. Proud of everyone. Together - to victory!"
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