Every year, National Fatherhood Initiative celebrates military fathers and families through our Military Fatherhood Award™. We get hundreds of nominations and after narrowing down to four finalists, we turn to the American people to help us select an Awardee by voting on Facebook.
Our finalists are going above and beyond in staying involved in their children's lives, despite the challenges of military life, and they are an inspiration to us. We hope they'll inspire and encourage you too.
Ssgt Charlie Linville, U.S. Marine Corps - a combat veteran and Wounded Warrior, Ssgt Linville insisted on attending his daughter's first karate competition the day after having his leg amputated and continues to plan activites with his daughters, despite daily pain.
CPO Patrick Mondragon, U.S. Navy - CPO Mondragon was effectively a solo parent while caring for his wife and kids - and continuing to fulfill his military duties - during a life-threatening health complication his wife experienced. 
Ssgt Jorge Roman, U.S. Army - a first-generation American, Ssgt Roman is fulfilling the American dream for his children, teaches them art and fitness, and has continued to parent his daughters during overseas deployments.
Maj. Kevin Billups, U.S. Air Force - leaving for his eighth deployment in a few weeks, Maj. Billups is not only an involved father to his three children, he teaches other new military dads how to prepare for fatherhood and care for their little ones.
You can watch the videos their families created and vote for your favorite finalist on NFI's Facebook page. Voting opens on Monday April 15 and closes on Sunday May 15. You can vote once every 24 hours.
We're excited to introduce these wonderful dads as outstanding examples of fatherhood and to honor them for their service to the country.
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