Teen Stuns Everyone After They Notice The Message On Her Prom Dress
Note: This story was originally reported in May 2019.
Prom night is a significant event for high school students, and one young woman turned her celebration into a heartfelt tribute to fallen heroes, highlighting the essence of sacrifice.
Aubrey Headon, a senior at Rochelle Township High School, spent two years searching for the perfect prom dress. When she finally found it, she decided to add a meaningful touch to make it truly unique.
Aubrey’s mother, Cass, shared that transforming the dress into a symbol of remembrance took three weeks. The design features red and white ribbons flowing from the waistline into the deep blue skirt, bearing the names of the fallen members of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, known as “Darkhorse.”
This Marine Corps unit faced the brutal realities of war during their deployment in Sangin, Afghanistan, from 2010 to 2011, suffering the highest casualty rate among any unit in the past decade.
Aubrey’s strong connection to the military, influenced by her grandfather’s service as a Marine, led her to learn about the Darkhorse unit. She reached out to Gretchen Catherwood, the mother of fallen Marine Alec Catherwood, who commended Aubrey for her ongoing efforts to honor her son and his fellow servicemen.
Deeply affected by the sacrifices of Alec and his comrades, Aubrey actively supports Darkhorse Lodge, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans.
Choosing prom night as the occasion for her tribute, Aubrey stated, “I wore this tribute dress to ensure that the memories of those who sacrificed in Afghanistan for our way of life remain alive. I’m dedicated to making sure they are not forgotten.”
After sharing photos of her prom night, Aubrey’s tribute dress struck a chord with many, earning praise from numerous people, including her veteran grandfather.
For Aubrey, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice is paramount, and her prom dress is just the beginning. She envisions many ways to continue paying respect to servicemen and women.
Looking ahead, Aubrey plans to deepen her commitment as she starts at Carroll University in Wisconsin this fall. Her goal is to become a physical therapist and aid in the rehabilitation of injured veterans at Walter Reed Hospital.
In a season filled with celebrations of youth and achievements, Aubrey Headon’s poignant tribute serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring gratitude and respect owed to those who have sacrificed everything for our freedoms. This story transcends the typical prom night narrative, illuminating the true heroes deserving of our recognition.
Sources: WCNC