The winners of the My Dad, My Hero Contest were announced during Summer BLAST on Sunday, June 18, 2017.
Since so many people nominated their amazing dads for the contest we had a hard time choosing just one winner. We decided to award prizes to four dads and the person who nominated them. Below you can read about the four winners and why they are a hero in their child's eyes.

Brian Ehlenbach
Nominated by Nathan Ehlenbach

My dad is my hero because...
he teaches me about God and Jesus and to be a better person. He helps me with chores and homework, even when they are not fun. Dad is always nice and is there for me. If anyone is hurt and he knows about it, he helps them. My Dad works two jobs. He is the best paramedic in the whole world! He always loves my whole family no matter what. He likes to play with me and make weird animal sounds. Whenever I am down, he makes me feel up. He is funny and makes us smile and laugh. If I wasn't born by him, I wouldn't feel complete. I love my Dad a lot, even more than slime and bacon!

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Doug Hamilton
Nominated by Andrea Olzog-Linville

My dad is my hero because...
he has been there for not only our family but for countless others that needed a hero in their darkest of days. I find myself trying to mirror a lot of who he is....a person who is selfless, kind, caring, sympathetic, humorous, thoughtful, compassionate and tries to show everyone around him the brighter side of life...despite it perhaps being a thunderstorm of feelings and events that threaten to keep the sun hidden.

Just a few reasons to share: My father served in Vietnam, sacrificing his life and high pitch hearing abilities for us all. He has survived living in a house with 1 wife and 3 daughters, and 1 bathroom. He started his business here in Marshall pretty much on his own which has become a safe haven for many, and still remains to do so. My father helped our dear friend, EB, when I had my jet ski accident at Lake Shetek in 1996 which is why I am still here today, and as "normal" as anyone else. He has truly been a rock against all odds and has always let his love shower upon those he meets. 

He truly is a hero because, despite losing his only son as an infant, he chose to become a mortician and help people get through all the technical nitty gritty, but best of all, always making sure the family felt secure and able to go through their stages of grief by using his personable demeanor, excellent communication skills and giving them time. He always has time to talk to anyone (despite saying he will only be 15 minutes), because he makes the time and gives everyone a chance to feel important.

My father always gives his best to everyone who needs it, without reservations or expecting anything in return...just to give what he feels everyone truly deserves. My dad, Douglas Vernon Hamilton, is and will always be my hero.

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Paul Smisek
Nominated by Melanie Smisek

My dad is my hero because...
he's simply the greatest man I know. He's taught me the most important values of unwavering kindness, tolerance, dedication, support and humbleness. At the risk of sounding too much like a Tim McGraw song, my dad perfectly displays quiet, humble kindness and proves that the greatest of gestures don't need to be flashy or announced from a rooftop: a willingness to help whenever asked; thoughtful goofy surprises packed into college supplies to be found, hundreds of miles away, in moments of need or loneliness; or just an unassuming nature, always ready to see people's worth, no matter their background. 

Through the years, my dad has never faltered in his support and dedication to our family. I'm sure he would have enjoyed having a kid in basketball or even volleyball, but for years he dutifully drove hundreds of miles and sat for hours in cold ice arenas to watch his daughter figure skate for two minutes. Never missing a single show or competition, he quickly became the "club dad," showing support for all the girls, whose fathers were not always in attendance. This is also the man who once drove 4 hours, each way, to pick me up from college and bring me home when I wasn't feeling well. I know my dad would go to the ends of the earth for me, without hesitation or a single complaint. 

As far as dad's go, I absolutely know I am the luckiest girl in the world. As for this contest, I could not think of anyone more deserving or less expectant of this honor. I will always be a daddy's girl and cherish all of the things he's taught me. My dad is, without a doubt, my hero!

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Lawrence Filter
Nominated by Lee Ann Buysse

My dad is my hero because...
I suppose it is weird to receive an entry from someone my age, but then again it is never too late to let everyone know that My Dad is My Hero. His name is Lawrence Filter and is age 88, almost 89. My dad served in the Korean War and ever since I can remember he has had nightmares of that service. He has punched his pillow and at times almost hit my mom sleeping next to him. He speaks of serving in that war as an honor.

My dad then married my mom raised 7 children and never gave up. He held various jobs throughout his life and worked hard at each and every one of them to provide for his family. We were a blue collar family and he did the best he could to give us what we needed. I can remember him wrestling with us, playing in the snow, taking us for Sunday drives as a family, and disciplining us when it was needed. He taught me that if I worked hard I could accomplish anything I wanted to. It was always great to be able to look out into the crowd of parents at school programs and you could spot him every time by the way he wore his hair. He always had this, what we called a hill, in the front if his hair. He would beam with great pride at each and every one of his children’s accomplishments. 

He loves gardening and shares that with me yet today. As he and my mom are aging he is taking care of her as it is difficult for her to get around. He does it every day with cooking, cleaning and taking care of his yard. I know it is getting difficult for him but he keeps on going as he loves my mom very much and would do anything to stay together. He loves to see his grandchildren come and visit and loves the great-grandchildren with a strong love. I enjoy watching him when we are together with my children and can see him taking it all in. You can see the joy that it brings to him to have all of the children around. My Dad My Hero……I can’t say enough about my dad. He’s had a hard life but he never gave up on anything. He is giving, loving, quick with a crooked little smile and so very caring. After suffering a blood clot on his brain and the effects it had on him. He struggled through memory issues and speaking. But within a week he was home again living a normal life. My Dad will always be my hero. I hope to live my life to its fullest as he has.