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'Dad, I hope to be half the man you are' - Touching messages from Irish soldiers overseas

They’re missing their dads today – and their own children.

MANY PEOPLE IN the country today will be lucky enough to spend Father’s Day with their dads, listening to their terrible jokes.

For Irish soldiers who have been deployed overseas, today is another special day they are missing out on as they continue to do their duties on peacekeeping missions.

They’re all sons and daughters but many are also dads who are missing their little ones and the burnt toast and cold tea they would have toddled into them with this morning.

Here are some of the messages they’ve sent back to their families:

18955706451_c11e0737ae_z Airman Damien Adderley CIS Air Corps

Happy fathers day to my Dad, have a great day and I will see you soon for a game and a pint of the black stuff.

18765016848_e5719ad84f_k CQMS Mark Pender 2 BTC from Tallaght in Dublin-Golan Heights, UNDOF.

Dad, history created many hero’s such as Audie Murphy and Chelsy Sullenberger. Growing up as a child, teenager and adult in my eyes you have always been my hero. I’m so proud you’re my Dad and I hope to be half the man you are. Your loving son, Mark.

18947148092_d09991371f_b BQMS Declan Flanagan Engr Gp DFTC from Newbridge Co Kildare.

To my wife Helen and family, best wishes on Fathers Day. We will be all together next year please God. See you all in October. Lots of love, Deckie.

18926512526_42d4320e4c_k Capt Jack Higgins 2 ORD Gp from Athlone-Golan Heights, UNDOF.

Happy Fathers Day to my father Jerome in Naas, and best wishes to my wife Karen and the boys in Athlone, especially Éanna, who had his first birthday on Friday last.

18926390206_bf03e70e4b_k Pte Christopher McGuigan 28 INF BN-Golan Heights, UNDOF.

Happy Fathers Day to my Dad Pat, I love and miss you. Thank you to my little fella Dylan for the fathers day messages. Cant wait to get home to see you.

18331948153_cb9efeb017_k Pte Enda Lynch 2 BDE Transport-Golan Heights, UNDOF.

Fathers Day is not the same without you all. Thinking of my wife Kim and boys Roy, Ely and Shay. Love and miss you all.

18955251175_ba1488f62b_k Lt Andria Marnell from Kilkenny, OIC Transport Section 49th Inf Gp.

Happy Fathers Day, Tom to the best man who is the best dad 365 days a year!!! You may not know everything but you sure have everyone fooled! Happy fathers day to my own dad John, Thank you for the comfort of knowing that whatever goes wrong, I have a dad who cares.

18767406858_36e42a5971_k Sgt Declan Higgins-UNIFIL Lebanon.

To my beautiful son Bobby missing you loads. Can’t wait to see you soon. Love Daddy.

18768720809_76568fae5a_k Cpl Keith Forde-UNIFIL Lebanon.

To my son Ollie sorry I can’t be there for our first Father’s Day. Looking forward to getting back to you. Happy Father’s Day to my dad Tim also.

18767216060_41f5495af7_k Tpr Alan O’Neill-UNIFIL Lebanon.

To my daughter Belle, sorry we can’t spend our first fathers day together. Can’t wait to see you. Love Dad.

18767250238_5664f17303_k Comdt Andrew Shinnick-Resolute Support Mission, Afghanistan.

Happy Father’s Day to my own Dad, Noel and hi to all my family in Cork. A special hello to my own two sons, Daniel and Robert and my fiancé Ellen. Miss you loads and see you soon. Love, Andy.

All photos used courtesy of the Irish Defence Forces. Find more here.

WATCH: ‘It means everything to me’: Temple Street dads on their love for their kids>

Read: ‘She gives the best kisses’: Temple Street kids tell us why they love their mums>

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