Brianna Ruiz, 6, repositioned her tiara as she waited in line to take a photo with her father. The tiara, matching her white dress, made her feel like a story-book princess.
Brianna and her father, Gunnery Sgt. Roger Ruiz, food service specialist, Marine Corps Logistics and Operations Group, were one of more than 250 father-daughter couples who attended the Father Daughter Dance at building 1707 aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. Feb. 20, 2016.
“We hold this event to give the dads a chance to spend quality time with their daughters,” said Liz Sperbeck, administration specialist, Marine Corps Community Services. “It’s sort of like a Marine Corps Ball for the girls. They get to dress up and see their father’s in uniform and have a really good time.”
MCCS hosted the free annual event for the second time. Volunteers with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, assisted in the preparatory work needed to make the event a success.
“It’s a very popular event that is growing each year,” Sperbeck said. “We are still looking for ways to make it bigger and better for the Marines and their daughters.”
Additionally, Marines, sailors and their daughters received a free photo to commemorate the occasion. For many active duty fathers, the time spent with their daughters was a priceless experience.
“We missed out on the last three [dances] because of my deployment and being on the drill field so this an opportunity to make up lost time,” Ruiz said. “I’m very appreciative and grateful for events like this. It’s very exciting to be able to come with my daughter and have a good time.”