From playing checkers to teaching his four kids to read or play catch, one active military father from Virginia does it all to stay involved in his children's lives. Chief Quartermaster John Lehnen pulls double-duty, balancing his navy career with his family, and is now being recognized for going above and beyond.

"He's a very special dad and he does things for us, a lot of things," said Kathryne Lehnen, his daughter.

Recently, the Lehnens took a trip to D.C. to watch their active dad receive the military father award. He was chosen out of 600 nominees.

"Military fathers are ones that have really challenges when it comes to deployment, staying connected to their families, reconnecting once they've been deployed," said Roland Warren with the National Fatherhood Initiative.

But John Lehnen may have figured out how to work through those challenges while being deployed for months at a time and remaining on duty as a father.

"I ask Jen to send me schedules or big events that are coming out so I know what's going on with their lives. She sends me pictures," Chief Lehnen said.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Lehnen give each other the credit for keeping the family sailing along.

"She is a miracle worker. I don't know how she deals with four kids at the same time for so long," Chief Lehnen said.

"He does all of it willingly, with a smile and there's never a complaint," said Jennifer Lehnen, his wife.

In lending advice to others, Chief Lehnen calls himself the fifth kid in the family.

"Open yourself to your inner child. You act like a kid, your kids start talking to you and thinking that you are a kid," Chief Lehnen said. "If I can't get down on my hands and knees with my kids and get to their level, they don't get to know me."

While humbled to receive the fatherhood award, Lehnen says his real reward for being an active dad is the love he receives from his children.

When dad is deployed, his children keep journals for him to read when he returns and Lehnen videotapes himself reading their favorite books. The National Fatherhood Initiative presented the award.

 Email To Friend