Jeremy Hilton reads to his daughter Kate, 9, (left) and son Jackson, 2, at their Burke Va. home on Feb. 22. Jeremy Hilton has been nominated to represent the Air Force for Spouse of the Year. // Thomas Brown/Staff
Jeremy Hilton left his burgeoning Navy career in 2002 to become a stay-at-home dad to daughter Kate.
Born with a condition called hydrocephalus that left her brain dangerously swollen, Kate required near round-the-clock care. His wife, Renae, was in the Air Force and less likely to be deployed.
Hilton’s devotion to Kate – and the advocacy work that grew out of it – has earned him the title of Air Force Spouse of the Year.
Now Hilton is one of six finalists for Military Spouse of the Year, an annual honor bestowed by Military Spouse magazine.
He’s up against Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and National Guard winners. Hilton is also the only husband in the running, and he’d appreciate your vote.
Renae, now a lieutenant colonel who commands the 2nd Field Investigations Squadron, nominated Hilton for Military Spouse of the Year. You can read her nomination at msoy.milspouse.com.
Here, you can also cast your ballot for Hilton as often as once an hour until March 5.
The winner of Military Spouse of the Year will be announced at a banquet May 10, said Babette Maxwell, the magazine’s founder. Instead of prizes, Military Spouse provides a platform for the winner’s initiative.
If he wins, Hilton will have the opportunity to contribute a monthly article to the magazine, write a blog and appear before lawmakers and others, Maxwell said.
