2011 Military Award Presentation

On June 16, 2011, at a ceremony near his base in Bremerton, WA, National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) presented LS1 Christopher Cady, U.S. Navy, with the 2011 Military Fatherhood Award™.  Image at right: NFI Vice President of Public Affairs Vincent DiCaro presents Cady with the 2011 Military Fatherhood Award™.

Cady’s story captured the heart of the thousands of people who cast votes on NFI’s Facebook page for three finalists to select the recipient of the award. Cady’s son, Joshua, was born with Cytomegalovirus, a virus that his mother contracted while pregnant. The virus left Joshua with profound disabilities, including cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He is deaf and blind and requires a tracheotomy and a feeding tube. Cady has full custody of this son, and Joshua is 100% dependent on him for everything — Cady is his son’s arms, legs, and voice. Click here to read Cady's nomination and learn more about his and Joshua's inspirational story >>

“LS1 Cady exemplifies the best of what involved, responsible, and committed fatherhood is all about. Not only has he fully dedicated himself to caring for his son, but he honorably serves our country as an exemplary sailor,” said Roland C. Warren, president of NFI.

As he accepted the award Cady said , “I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon - if I can, so I am honored and humbled to receive this award.”

During the ceremony, Cady was surprised with a video recording of congratulatory messages from comedian Jeff Foxworthy and musicians John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting (an 2009 Fatherhood Award recipient) and Chris Daughtry.

Below are additional photograph and video highlights from the award presentation.

NFI Director of Military Programming, Tim Red, LS1 Christopher Cady,
and Naval Base Kitsap Commander Captain Pete Dawson watch the
nomination video of Cady and his son Joshua.

2011 Award Sponsors