Family

#ProLifeSunday Happy Father’s Day

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History of Father’s Day

On June 19, 1910 the first Father’s Day was celebrated in the state of Washington. Though two years before on July 5th 1908 in West Virginia there was a Sunday sermon dedicated to the 362 fathers who had died in the Fairmont Coal Mine explosions. It was a day of remembrance but not a holiday.  The following year in Spokane Washington, a woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd who was one of six children raised by her widower father tried to start up the equivalent of Mother’s Day which had caught on. She went to local churches, the YMCA, and government officials and the following year Father’s Day was enacted as a State Holiday.

By 1916 President Woodrow Wilson was in on the celebration, and in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge urged all states to celebrate the day.

The older you get the better chance you have that your parents have passed away. There’s a good chance you might be a parent, but if you aren’t then you tend to remember the morals, work ethic, and love and support your father and mother instilled in you. The following story is a good example of a man who found his greatest achievement was being a great dad to two young sons.

Story of a Great Father named Ron

Modern Parents sometimes veer away from the traditional paths of their parents and forge new ways and traditions. This is okay as long as their children learn right from wrong, are loved in a caring and supportive environment..

I met Ron at college, we were rivals and we didn’t really get along, when I transferred to the U of MN to finish my degree I would see what the guys on my old floor at Iowa State were doing on our Facebook Page.  Ron graduated and he and his wife moved around quite a bit from Iowa to various states and then they moved to Montreal, Quebec Canada. They had 2 little boys and then Ron made a decision that he would stay home and take care of them as his wife, an engineer, made a lot more money than he did.

On Facebook posts from Ron you would see various stages in the development of his 2 boys. They were a year apart but they looked to be almost twins.

Then they moved to Tennessee. Moving around can be tough on kids as they have to say good bye to friends they made and make new ones in the new city.  Ron filled in until his boys made new friends.

Ron had dropped out of his engineering course work in college after his second year but his ability to create things that didn’t exist before was a skill that really shined when he made Halloween costumes for his two sons, or made pirate outfits for the 2 boys to play in style. I remember seeing wearable fire trucks that were suspended around them using backpack straps. They wore fire hats to complete the costume.

He was the Deluxe version of Mr Mom.

Ron got Sick

I don’t know exactly what the name of the illness was but Ron had something like pneumonia, where he had a hard time breathing and then it affected his heart.  There would be days where he could barely breathe, and yet he would post a story about his sons on the Facebook Page.

There would be Prayer Chains from alumni from our floor at Friley Hall in Ames Iowa for Ron. He saw countless doctors and specialists and he had a great amount of hope he would pull through.

I sent him an email one day saying I was sorry for the way I was in college and that I had admired him for being such a great dad to his 2 sons.  Ron replied that people make mistakes, there are misunderstandings and he said he too did stupid things back then. He paid me a compliment about something I had done then. Then I said something that made him feel better, perhaps in his soul, as his body was not responding the way it should have.

I said that his sons will grow up to be wonderful adults, great fathers like he is to them, because he showed them kindness, generosity, being supportive on their worst day, and that he loved them by spoken word and by deed.  Ron appreciated these kind words.

A month later Ron passed away at the age of 49.  I regret not getting to know him better in college, but seeing him excel at the one job he was second to none, being a Dad, inspired me greatly.

I lost my dad 23 yrs ago this July, and on Father’s Day I tend to celebrate other fathers as I’m not a father yet. I always remember Ron on this day.  I hope you honor your father or someone’s father on this Sunday and show them how great a job they have done being a father.

Happy Father’s Day!!

This Sunday we celebrate the second of 3 traditional holidays that celebrate the Family. Last month we celebrated Mothers, this month we celebrate Fathers, and in September we celebrate Grandparents. That’s tradition. Our website administrator has added some other family holidays to include the entire family from May through October, so be looking for next month’s installment of #ProLifeSunday when we celebrate Aunts & Uncles Day.

As the administrator of this website I like to add a human element to some stories as most people aren’t drawn to political websites compared to ones that post human interest stories. I know this as I see the stats every day I log onto the website’s dashboard. This story about my friend Ron was a true story. I met him in the early 1990s at Iowa State University.  One of my college roommates was his cousin. — admin

Action, Family, HD66B

44th Annual Hmong International Freedom Festival June 27-28th, GOP Booth #144

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Republican Booth is #144 Near Gate 2 on the Northeast corner of the area the Hmong International Freedom Festival (HIFF) J4 is at.  See the Map below. Gate 2 is near the Eastbound 3A Bus Stop for the Como Park Aquatic Center.  Just west of Como-Horton & Lexington Intersection.

We have a sign up to serve at the booth that was sent out to our delegates and CD4 GOP activists.

J4 as it is known to Hmong as a time to celebrate freedom with family, food, and sports.

It’s that time of year again, the first weekend prior to July 4th, when the Hmong people celebrate freedom at McMurray Fields of St Paul, MN (1151 Jessamine Ave W).  Hmong International Freedom Festival J4 Street Map  Make a note that there are 2 intersections of Como Avenue & Lexington Ave as seen in the Street Map link. The northern one has Como Avenue on the west side of the intersection and Horton Avenue on the east side. The southern intersection has Como Avenue on the east side of the intersection and Wynne Ave on the western side of the intersection with Lexington. So if you tell someone you’ll meet them at Como & Lexington, tell them which one.

The Republican Booth is in the Northeast part of this map (upper right, in the light green area) near the intersection of Como & Lexington Ave nearest to Gate 2, #144
Circled in Red is Booth 144. On the Top of the page is West Como which across from Horton Ave. Gate 2 is near the Eastbound Aquatic Center Bus stop (3A Bus)
McMurray Field looking North from Jessamine Ave W to Como Avenue at the top of the photo. Como Regional Park Pool just north of the Tournament Fields on Wynne Avenue. Lexington Avenue is to the East of the Fields.  The Metro Transit 3A Bus travels along Como Avenue, and the 83 Bus travels north and south along Lexington Avenue.

The Hmong People who have settled here in the St Paul MN area really know what Freedom feels like.  General Vang Pao brought the Hmong people here from the refugee camps in Southeast Asia after the end of the Vietnam War.

Hmong International Freedom Festival (J4)

will be open from 8 AM to 8 PM Both Days

There are many things to do, see, buy, and taste at the celebration.

COST: $10

  • Events start at 8 am on Saturday & 8 am on Sunday.

Park & Ride Shuttle from the MN State Fairgrounds

  • $20 per Vehicle (Cash Only)
  • Shuttle Buses from the Fairgrounds to the Festival from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm

It is with great anticipation that this year’s 44th Annual Hmong Freedom Celebration Sport Tournament will be hosted by The United Hmong Family on Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th, 2026 at the Como Park’s McMurray Field. The event will provide ample spaces for various vendors that are not just local community members, but from all over the world.

Booths will be set up for food, traditional and culture items, educational and informational and other general merchandise. Most of the festival goers are relatives and friends who travel a short distance of a couple of miles to across the ocean from former homeland in Asia. Others are spectators who come to cheer on one another as well as taking part in one of the competitive sporting venues in flag football (both men and women’s), Sepak Takraw (Kato), Soccer (men/women’s), tuj lub (top spinning), volleyball (men/women’s) and other fun and games for all ages, and physical ability. They have a lot to accomplish within the short amount of time.

Hmong Sports Tournament includes Flag Football, Soccer and Hmong specific sports.
A Hmong player kicks the ball across the net during a game of Sepak Takraw (Kato), a volleyball-like sport without the use of hands. Traditional balls are made of wicker.

Also known as KATO

There is a pair of pitches for this sport at the Marydale Park. On any given weekend you can see people playing this sport with their friends. Marydale Park is in HD 66B where Maryland Avenue intersects with Dale Street. Conny’s Creamy Cone and a used car dealership are nearby it. Marydale Park hugs Lake Loeb mostly.

Volleyball of both Men & Women’s teams.

The above information was found at the theunitedhmongfamily.org website, and photos were found online. We found the parking information and the event fee, as well as the explanation of the rules of Kato on VistSaintPaul.com website. The posting is a courtesy to our Hmong friends & neighbors.  We will post the winners from each sports category. — admin

 

Family, St Paul

52nd Annual Back to the 50’s Car Show June 19-21, 2026

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Would you like to Volunteer at the Back to the 50’s Car Show Event? If so Click here.

Back to the 50’s 52nd Annual MSRA Poster link

2026 Back to the 50’s Schedule of Events

2026 MSRA Back to the 50’s Visitor’s Guide 

Back to the 50’s Interactive Map

Ladies Showcase

MSRA Back to the 50’s MN Fairgrounds PDF Map

Special Event at Lunchtime June 18th at Mancini’s Char House

Cost: (from their website)

SPECTATOR TICKETS: Discount tickets ($13.00) can be purchased beginning in MAY at participating NAPA Auto stores in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.  Tickets can be purchased at the gate at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds are $15.00 on each day of the event. Children under 15 are free with a paid adult. Cash only at the gates at the fairgrounds. We do not sell tickets online

It’s a tradition with many Minnesota Families to come to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Father’s Day Weekend and check out the unique Cars at the Back to 50’s Car Show. It is put on by the Minnesota Street Rod Association.

Advance Tickets can be found at NAPA Auto Parts Stores.

Back to the 50’s Car Show Logo

Free Park & Ride Shuttle (Saturday Only) 8 am to 10 pm

Metro Transit Free Pass (Survey) link

On the link above click on the day you want to attend, fill out the survey then either take a screenshot of the Free Pass, or make a print out. You can show it from your phone.

No Overnight Parking Near the Fairgrounds

There are two locations for Park & Ride Shuttles for the Back to the 50’s Car Show on Saturday June 24th.

South of Fairgrounds

Energy Technology Center (ETC), 1450 Energy Park Drive, St Paul MN 55108 Map

North of the Fairgrounds

Minnesota Dept of Education (MDE), 1500 Hwy 36, Roseville MN 55113 Map

T6 Fly Over

Chuck Datko and the T6 Thunder North American Flight Team does formation flying with WW2/Korean War Era T6 Trainers. They’ll fly over the Fairgrounds at 11 AM on Saturday June 20th. If it is raining they’ll try for Sunday June 21st at the same time.

T-6 Flyover Information

Swap Meet June 22nd 6 AM to 1 PM

More information on the Swap Meet

It’s hard to list everything here about what one can do and see at Back to the 50’s, so we invite you to visit the MSRA’s website and find out yourself.

msrabacktothe50s.com

Let MNGOP know they should open their MNGOP Booth at this event. It’s worth every penny.

We are posting this event as a courtesy and do not benefit directly from doing so. Please dress for the weather, hydrate with water and electrolytes. –admin

Education, HD66B

Juneteenth is a Republican Victory Holiday

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Republican History is All About Freedom

The Republican Party is largely responsible for the Abolition of Slavery in the United States of America. They started their party in 1854 in Racine Wisconsin and upon the 1860 Presidential Race they had endorsed Abraham Lincoln. In Lincoln’s only term in Congress as a Whig Candidate from 1847-49 he was mentored by a former President and son of a former President, John Quincy Adams. Representative John Quincy Adams had a remarkable career as a diplomat, Secretary of State, President, and died in office in 1848. Before he died he took Abraham Lincoln as a protégé and instilled in him why it was important to abolish slavery.

Upon Abraham Lincoln’s Presidential Election win, the south knew what was next as Lincoln had campaigned on abolishing slavery. Shortly after his election in December 1860, South Carolina broke away from the Union and several other southern states joined them. Without going into the battles of the Civil War, President Lincoln was looking for a victory on the battlefield to announce an executive order freeing the slaves and he wrote it after the bloody battle of Antietam in September 1862 and proclaimed it on January 1st 1863. It has thus been called the Emancipation Proclamation. It sent ripples into slave states south of the border states and it encouraged slaves to run away from the farms they were at.

It wasn’t until the 13th Amendment which was ratified by 27 of 36 States in December 1865, 8 months after Lincoln was assassinated, that slavery had been abolished. The Senate passed the Amendment in April 1864, the US House passed it in January 1865.

5 months later is where the story of Juneteenth starts.

June 19, 1865 Galveston Texas

Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Texas on June 19th 1865 and announced that all slaves were free. He went on to suggest former slave owners and slaves form a new relationship of employer and hired employees. Known as General Orders Number 3

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere –General Orders number 3 General Gordon Granger June 19, 1865

It wasn’t until the 14th and 15th Amendments that former slaves would gain full citizenship and the right to vote (only men could vote until the 19th amendment in 1920).

The start of the celebration of June 19th in 1866

The celebration of that day started in mostly church gatherings for barbeques, songs, and festivals.  It was a holiday celebrated mostly in Texas.

The State of Texas made it a State Holiday in 1979. Outside of the state there have been celebrations but nothing official.

Republicans Need to Celebrate this Holiday

As I write this I’ve seen Republicans showing their ignorance of history on social media saying we shouldn’t celebrate Juneteenth. I find this ignorance of history as being abhorrent and playing into the 3rd stereotype our party likes to embrace: Indifference (the other 2 are Rich & White). If you look at the history of Black Americans their American roots are deeper than most European Americans.  Most Black Americans can claim ancestors going back to the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Blacks used to be Republicans up until the Progressive Coup in America during the Depression of the 1930s. It’s very interesting when you find out why the Democrats hated Rev Martin Luther King Jr when you find out he was a Conservative Baptist Pastor. Senators JFK & LBJ participated in the filibuster of the Civil Rights act, they were no saints as revisionists like to portray them as.

Though Jim Crow laws started popping up during the Electoral College question when Rutherford Hayes was hoping to be President. He compromised saying he would end Reconstruction in the Southern States if he was elected President. That was a bad move on his part because the 14th & 15th amendments weren’t embraced for nearly 80 yrs later. It had to be a real Republican, Senator Everett Dirksen who broke the Democrat filibuster on the Civil Rights Act and got it passed.

Maybe Schools just don’t teach American History as good and bad decisions. People today think we can erase the bad decisions by making worse decisions by erasing parts of American History by tearing down monuments and renaming public buildings.

Embrace it, Embrace Juneteenth

Juneteenth is one of a handful of Federal Holidays that will be celebrated on the day of the week it falls on, like Veterans Day, July 4th, Christmas and New Years Day. This post was reposted by permission of saintpaulrepublicans.us (it is not the SPRCC website). Some parts that were personal to the author have been edited out. Their post was originally posted on June 19, 2025 “Juneteenth is Just Another Freedom Day that Republicans Should Celebrate” — admin