Father-daughter dance draws hundreds (MARINE CORPS)

Marine Corps News ^ | Feb 23, 2006 | Cpl. Susan Smith

[SandRat]

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Feb. 23, 2006) -- Women hold onto fond memories from their youth throughout their lifetime – getting a driver’s license, the first day of school, their “Sweet 16” birthday party. But more often than not, their most cherished memories include their first dance – the dress, the shoes, the fancy hairdo, and of course their date.

Many young girls created this treasured memory of their first dance Thursday at The Clubs At Quantico. It was not the prom, senior dinner dance, or even a school dance. It was the Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance hosted by the Quantico Youth Center.

More than 200 people attended; fathers in suits and ties or their dress blue uniforms and girls – as young as 3 years old in their favorite or new dresses.

“It’s their daughters’ first date,” said Kim Hammond, director of youth activities. “The father shows them how they should be treated. They set the bar, the standard for which any male in the life has to meet.”

The first experience of the night was a buffet-style meal for the older attendees and a platter of chicken tenders for the younger. But the party really got started when the disc jockey turned up the music.

Some dads with very young daughters picked them up and danced with them on their hips. Others danced side-by-side. Either way, there was not a square inch left open on the dance floor.

The crowd danced on the rug and in between tables. The DJ played a mix of music from today and from the “dads’ generation.” When today’s music thumped from the speakers, the daughters showed their fathers the way to dance in the new style. But when “Play that Funky Music, White Boy” came on, the men showed the girls how it was done in their day.

“I am surprised at how much fun we are having out there dancing,” said Staff Sgt. Santo River, garrison mobile equipment staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge at Headquarters Marine Corps, with his daughter Jasmine at his side.

For a few moments, the dancing ceased because it was time for dessert. After a few bites of the cake and ice cream, the girls dragged their dads back onto the floor. Plates with half-eaten cake soaked in melted ice cream covered the table tops the rest of the night.

Some scheming girls coaxed the DJ into announcing a break-dancing contest. The crowd cleared an opening on the dance floor, and a few brave men showed off their skills to the rhythm of little voices encouraging them with, “go daddy, go daddy.” After the running man, the worm, back spins and the robot, the girls joined back in.

“This is our third one, and we will come as long as we can – until she’s married,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Hodge Jordan, reconnaissance project officer at Marine Corps Systems Command, of his daughter Emily.

For some, it was past their bedtime when the music finally stopped and it was time to go home. But the memories made were ones that will last forever.

“The mother is always the queen, but the daughter is a princess in the father’s eyes,” said Hammond. “Tonight is a perfect way to show that.”

[SandRat]

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. - Sgt. James Corona takes his 3-year-old daughter, Juniece, for a twirl during Quantico’s annual Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance Friday night. Corona is a cannoneer.
Photo by: Cpl. Susan Smith

Marines dance to ‘Shout’ during the annual Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance. More than 200 boogied the night away Friday at The Clubs At Quantico.
Photo by: Cpl. Susan Smith

[SandRat]

Marine Dad's and their Princess'

[llevrok]

Marines or not

Dancing with your little girl, regardless of her age, just is plain special for a Dad. (Dad of a 19 year old baby girl)

[jazusamo]

That's great...Thanks for the post, especially the pictures.

[Kimmers]

WOW....

[processing please hold]

What a touching story. Thanks for posting it.

[Millee]

Too sweet ping..

[trimom]

The dad in our house has to dance with his baby girl very soon as she marries. This is going to be a very special moment for dad.....and his 25 year old baby girl.

[motormouth]

That made me warm and fuzzy! :o)

MM

[freema]

Any dads out there who catch this, take it from me, there's nothing more special than having your dad twirl you around on a dance floor as if you really were a princess.

Mine took lessons (in his off time in the Corps) from Arthur Murray Dance Studio to impress the girls, and by God, he impressed at least one- very, very much.

Thanks for the memories, SR. {{{hugs}}}

[nancetx]

What a huge smile I have reading about this dance. God bless our Armed Forces and their families.

[SandRat]

Having memories myself of two priceless princess' and a son who took dance lessons before his wedding so that he could take someone else's princess to be his queen for those special dreamland dances at the wedding reception..........ahem...sniff.....{{{Hugs}}} back....sniff

[ExcursionGuy84]

(Dad of a 19 year old baby girl)

What a Baby!

[Millee]

Me too. That first pic brought tears to my eyes.

[ARridgerunner]

So very nice. Thanks for this post.

An upper.

[Frwy]

Great story and pictures. It filled my heart of days gone by. What great fun and such a huge life lesson too. Cleansing SIGH!

[freema]

Just damn. You freaken Marines make me cry all the time.

I love ya, man.


I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)


Artist: Lee Ann Womack Lyrics
Song: I Hope You Dance Lyrics

[SuziQ]

“It’s their daughters’ first date,” said Kim Hammond, director of youth activities. “The father shows them how they should be treated. They set the bar, the standard for which any male in the life has to meet.”

That's just terrific. And they get their picture with a handsome man in that awesome uniform!!

[SuziQ]

But when “Play that Funky Music, White Boy” came on, the men showed the girls how it was done in their day.

ROTFL!! I'll bet they did!!

[Alien Gunfighter]

“It’s their daughters’ first date,” said Kim Hammond, director of youth activities. “The father shows them how they should be treated. They set the bar, the standard for which any male in the life has to meet.”

Perfect.