HGTV’s Joanna Gaines Honors Her Father With Sweet Veterans Day Tribute

Veterans Day is a holiday that hits close to home for Joanna Gaines.

The HGTV and Magnolia Network star took to Instagram on Wednesday, November 11, to honor her father, Jerry Stevens, who is a United States Army vet. “Grateful to call this Veteran my Dad,” she wrote alongside snaps of herself with her dad and her family, as well as a throwback pic of her father in his military uniform.

“Today, we honor my dad and all heroes who have bravely served our country,” Gaines continued. “Thank you for your courage, sacrifice, and dedication. #VeteransDay.”

Fans flooded the post’s comments with supportive messages for Stevens. “Such a great man! Thank you for your service,” one user wrote. Another said, “The parent behind greatness! Happy Veterans Day!”

Someone else shared, “Thank you for your service!! You have a beautiful family!” A different person posted, “Thank you for your courage and service!!! What a sweet family picture!” A separate commenter stated, “What a beautiful family. Your parents don’t look like they’ve aged at all.”

In a June 2017 Instagram anniversary tribute to her parents, Joanna shared that her dad and mom, Nan Stevens, met in 1969 while Jerry was stationed in South Korea. “Their story is one you hear about in the movies,” she shared. “All the odds were against them but they fought through and became an example of how to love, fight for, extend grace to, and honor each other amidst all their many differences.”

 

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The couple tied the knot in 1972 and went on to welcome their three daughters, Teresa, Joanna, and Mary Kay.

While Joanna primarily keeps her family life off her social media feed, her parents and sisters have popped up on her timeline a handful of times over the years. Last November, Joanna posted a pair of videos of her mom and dad teaching her different Thanksgiving recipes.

“Got a lesson from my dad on how to cook a turkey,” she captioned the clip of Jerry walking her through cooking the perfect Thanksgiving turkey. “Turns out the secret is just confidence and a lot of seasoning.”

On April 4, Joanna shared a sweet snap of herself, her mother, and her sisters gathered around Jerry on his birthday. “Happy 76th Birthday, Dad! Your girls love you so much,” she wrote alongside the Instagram pic. “We are so grateful for your love, faith, strength, wisdom and kindness. Here’s to the very best year yet.”

The family of five reunited again for Nan’s birthday this summer. “Happiest of birthdays to our beautiful mama,” Joanna captioned a photo from the celebration and a video of them singing “Happy Birthday” to their mother.