Most people dream about having a "perfect" prom the second they walk through their high school doors as a freshman. What "perfect" means is somewhat skewed at the time, but it probably involves having a good date and a pretty dress.
High school student Aubrey Headon had a different take on what she wanted when it was her time to have her "perfect prom." She wanted to turn her day into one of honoring American heroes who have fallen protecting her freedom.
The Patriotic Dress Was To Honor 25 Fallen Marines
Headon goes to Rochelle Township High School in Rochelle, Illinois. It took her two years to handcraft her patriotic dress that was to honor 25 fallen Marines. The dress itself was made to look like an American flag with streamers of red and white that would flow on her blue base.
She made the matching blue halter top feature embellishments that look like stars to complete the flag. The time, effort, and dedication she took to put this ensemble together is breathtaking.
The Attention To Detail Was Chilling
The idea of wearing a prom dress that resembles the star spangled banner isn't all that unique in itself. The color scheme also wasn't the reason that Aubrey even got attention in the first place. It was all in the details.
On the red and white ribbons are the 25 names printed in white and black belonging to the members of the 3rd battalion, 5th Marines, also known as 3/5 or Darkhorse, that were killed in action between September 2010 and April 2011 while in Afghanistan.
"I Don't Want Them To Fade To Nothing"
When Aubrey heard about the battalion she became inspired to pay tribute to them somehow and someway. She was extremely touched by the sacrifice the men made for every American to even have events like prom in the first place.
"I wanted to wear this tribute dress to my senior prom so the memories of the guys who fell in Afghanistan for our right to live how we do and do what we do every day is carried on," she said in an interview.
The Idea Started When She Met The Mother Of A Fallen Soldier
She also spent a lot of time crafting up a bristol board of all the fallen soldier's pictures and a quick note about who they all were. Headon said that the idea to have a tribute dress started when she met Gretchen Catherwood, the mother of one of the fallen men.
"She started the Darkhorse Lodge to help combat veterans. I do a fundraiser every year to donate to the lodge," Headon said. She has a special place in her heart for vets.
Aubrey Served Her Country Well
Darkhorse Lodge is a non-profit organization that acts as a retreat for all combat veterans to go and relax. It's based out of Kentucky and it's at no cost to the guests. Aubrey donates as much as she can to the lodge knowing that it's so important to allow vets some time to relax without spending a dime.
What Aubrey did was extremely powerful and commendable. Not everyone is willing to risk their "big day" in order to pay homage to fallen veterans.
