Tribune editorial staff

Break out the neckties and the aftershave! Father's Day is here. While we are joking a bit about the traditional Father's Day gifts, the meaning of the holiday is serious.

In a way, we think the day is mislabeled a bit. As some wise person once said, "Any man can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a Daddy."

The point being anyone can biologically father a child. But being someone's "Daddy" requires a special mix of personality, humility, wisdom, leadership and love.

Strangely enough, with today's almost-scary advances in science, we're nearly to the point where no one needs a biological father's input whatsoever - just clone a child.

While we'll leave that moral and ethical debate for another day, the role of a Daddy is one that cannot easily be overlooked.

Too many children seem to be raised without a strong male role model and that's having a profound effect on our society.

And despite the ever-growing number of stay-at-home fathers in our country, the role of a Daddy seems to be needed now more than ever.

With an ever-increasing amount of sex, violence and immoral behavior flaunted on television, film, music and video games, today's children need as much parental involvement as possible - from Mom, Dad and any other relative who can provide the support.

Our children need all the help they can get to survive in a world filled with such temptations and with the now constant threat of terror.

Somewhere in all of that muck, in all of those questions, a good Daddy can help guide a young person through to a brighter future.

If you see a Dad today, tell him "thanks" for helping provide for our society's future.