Bethesda, MD, 01-MAY-07 -- National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) has announced that Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Andrade, United States Marine Corps, has been awarded the first ever Military Fatherhood Award, sponsored by Lockheed Martin. The award was presented at the 10th Annual Fatherhood Awards Gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, April 26, 2007. GySgt. Andrade is a counter-intelligence specialist stationed at the Marine Forces Reserve Base in Slidell, La., outside of New Orleans.

National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) has announced that Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Andrade, United States Marine Corps, has been awarded the first ever Military Fatherhood Award, sponsored by Lockheed Martin. The award was presented at the 10th Annual Fatherhood Awards Gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, April 26, 2007. GySgt. Andrade is a counter-intelligence specialist stationed at the Marine Forces Reserve Base in Slidell, La., outside of New Orleans.

Roland C. Warren, president of NFI, said, “Through his heroic service to our country, and during the displacement of his family as a result of Hurricane Katrina, GySgt. Andrade has enthusiastically met the challenges of being a military dad with the same dedication and faithfulness that he has met his duties to our nation. For his passionate dedication to his wife and three children, and his dedication to defending America’s freedom, NFI is honored to present GySgt Andrade with the very first Lockheed Martin Military Fatherhood Award.”

The award was presented by Jim Knotts, Lockheed Martin’s Director of Corporate and Community Affairs, who remarked, “At Lockheed Martin, we often say ‘We never forget who we’re working for.’ Part of that is remembering the efforts of our military service members, who are working for all of us to protect freedom. GySgt. Andrade is a great example of a patriot and a father.” Knotts also noted that Lockheed Martin and GySgt. Andrade are neighbors in Slidell, La., where Lockheed Martin operates a major facility, building the external tanks used by the space shuttle.

Inaugurated in 1997, the Fatherhood Awards are presented each year to individuals, corporations, and organizations that make a substantial contribution to the strengthening of involved, responsible, and committed fatherhood in their work or personal lives. Past Corporate Fatherhood Awardees include: Johnson & Johnson, IBM, Levi Strauss, New York Life, and Chevrolet. Individuals include: actors James Earl Jones and Tom Selleck, country music superstar Tim McGraw, Fox News Channel’s Neil Cavuto, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, and multi-platinum recording group Lonestar.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.

The premier fatherhood renewal organization in the country, the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) works in every sector and at every level of society to engage fathers in the lives of their children. NFI's national public service advertising campaign promoting fatherhood has generated television, radio, print, Internet, and outdoor advertising valued at over $476 million. Through its resource center, FatherSource.org, NFI offers a wide range of innovative resources to assist fathers and organizations interested in reaching and supporting fathers.