Ex-CIA Officer: Every Day With My Sons Is a Blessing

When Dan Hoffman's son looked up from bed one night and said, "Dad, you were there and saw every one of my 31 goals," the former CIA officer realized he'd just received the greatest compliment of his life.

Hoffman, a three-time CIA station chief, has never missed one of his son's soccer games. He's made nearly every practice too, and on the rare occasions when the coach asked him to help run drills, he felt like there was no place on earth he'd rather be.

It took Hoffman years to understand that his own childhood ski trips with his dad weren't really about skiing. Those countless weekends in New England were about the conversations over meals and the car rides discussing Boston sports teams and world events. His father was showing him that family comes first, even when teenage Hoffman wasn't ready to admit how much those moments mattered.

This Father's Day also brings Hoffman's thoughts to CIA paramilitary officer Mike Spann, a man he never met but whose memory inspired everyone who followed. Spann was part of Team Alpha, the first Americans to enter Afghanistan after 9/11.

On November 25, 2001, Spann was questioning detainees at a fort in Mazar-i-Sharif, including American Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh. During a violent prison uprising, Spann defended himself against impossible odds and became America's first casualty in the war against al Qaeda and the Taliban. He left behind three children, including a 9-year-old daughter.

Spann's teammate Dave Tyson fought his way to safety after trying unsuccessfully to save Spann's life. When Tyson returned home, his 8-year-old son looked at his mud-covered boots and called them "Dad's lucky boots."

Sunny's Take

Hoffman's father passed away when Hoffman was already in his 50s, making every moment with his own sons feel even more precious. Whether it's showing up for a youth soccer game or serving overseas to protect families back home, fathers show love through presence. Some get to celebrate countless Father's Days with their children, while heroes like Mike Spann sacrifice that privilege so other families can stay safe.

Every day with our loved ones is a blessing worth celebrating.