Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee

By Terrance BellSeptember 26, 2022

Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee
Lt. Col. Vincent “Moose” Myers, Garrison chaplain, conveys thoughts of appreciation to his 9-year-old daughter Lydia at the Father-Daughter Dance Sept. 22 at the Lee Club (photo by T. Anthony Bell). (Photo Credit: Terrance Bell) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. – Proud fathers and jubilant tiara-wearing daughters enjoyed an evening at the Lee Club here Sept. 22 in an event that promoted community resilience and feelings of connectedness.

More than 50 couples participated in the Father-Daughter Dance. Hosted by the Religious Support Office, the activity aimed to create stronger bonds and build family resiliency, according to Chaplain (Maj.) Ryan Mortensen, 23rd Quartermaster Brigade chaplain. The dance was among the spotlight events of the installation’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month observance, conducted under this year’s theme “Connect to Protect.”

Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Military members and their daughters arrive to the Lee Club for the Fathers-Daughters Dance Sept. 22. The event, hosted by Religious Support Office, aimed to create stronger bonds and build family resiliency. It featured games, dining, dancing and other activities including a presentation of roses and the reading of letters from fathers to daughters (photo by T. Anthony Bell). (Photo Credit: Terrance Bell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The daughter of Staff Sgt. Dakwon Menefee, 4-year-old Isabella, poses for pictures prior to the Father-Daughter Dance that took place at the Lee Club Sept. 22 (photo by T. Anthony Bell). (Photo Credit: Terrance Bell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Military members watch over their daughters during a game of miniature golf Sept. 22 during the Father Daughter Dance at the Lee Club (photo by T. Anthony Bell). (Photo Credit: Terrance Bell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. William Stephens and his daughter pose for photo booth pictures Sept. 22 during the Father-Daughter Dance hosted by the Religious Support Office at the Lee Club (photo by T. Anthony Bell). (Photo Credit: Terrance Bell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Participants dance to lively music during the Fathers-Daughters Dance Sept. 22 at the Lee Club. (Photo Credit: Terrance Bell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Full of energy and laughter, a pair of excited participants twirl themselves on the dance floor during the Fathers-Daughters Dance Sept. 22 at the Lee Club (photo by T. Anthony Bell). (Photo Credit: Terrance Bell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Father-daughter ball builds family bonds at Fort Lee
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A storybook character actor shows a participant how to correctly pirouette during the Fathers-Daughters Dance Sept. 22 at the Lee Club (photo by T. Anthony Bell). (Photo Credit: Terrance Bell) VIEW ORIGINAL

“I’m a father myself,” Mortensen said, “and I think we have to be intentional about connecting with our children and significant others. In the military world, it’s easy to get distracted due to deployments, military exercises and work in general. Oftentimes, our families are overlooked. So this (dance) is a wonderful opportunity to be reminded of how special our children are.”

The event featured games, dinner, dancing and the presentation of roses and letters written by the fathers to their daughters. Organizers also arranged for guest princesses to circulate through the venue, adding to the fairytale magic of the evening.

“This is sure to be an event daughters will remember for the rest of their lives,” Mortensen said.