Tears Filled My Eyes When I Saw What Was Written On This Teen’s Prom Dress

When Rochelle Township High School student Aubrey Headdon chose her prom dress, she knew she wanted something special. Inspired by the 25 fallen Marines from her Illinois community who died between 2010 and 2011, Aubrey designed a beautiful and patriotic dress that would pay tribute to their memory. The blue halter neck dress features red and white ribbons flowing throughout it, resembling an American flag. This unique design was proudly displayed on Aubrey’s big night – and it brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

Aubrey Headon was extremely proud to keep the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, close to her heart during prom. Not only is the prom dress a tribute to fallen Marines, but it also resembles an American flag in its design. With a blue base color, the dress has red and white ribbons flowing throughout it. These ribbons lie against the blue frock and halter neck that matches.

Although the dress design is unique, it’s the fact that Aubrey is using her prom night to honor fallen soldiers that has everyone talking. This teen’s selfless act is a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many in our country. We are truly grateful for Aubrey and all she represents!

“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 told Yahoo Lifestyle after images of her patriotic dress went viral.

Aubrey was inspired by her local heroes. She heard a heart-wrenching story about the Battalion based in Camp Pendleton, California, from the mother of one of the fallen Marines, Alec Catherwood. His death inspired Aubrey Headon, 19, to design the special dress.

“She told me that her son, Alec Catherwood, was one of the Marines in the Battalion, and his best friend was also killed. It made me cry, and I decided then that I wanted to do something to remember them,” Aubrey said.

The Rochelle Township High School senior sewed red and white ribbons in the shape of the American flag onto a blue dress. The design also included a halter neckline to match the Marines’ uniform color.

Aubrey plans to attend college next year and major in fashion design. She wants to start her own line of clothing and continue designing special occasion dresses like her prom dress tribute.

“I definitely want to pursue a career in fashion,” Aubrey said. “I would love to design more special occasion dresses like this one.”

In addition to the dress, she created a poster to pay further tribute to the fallen Marines and to educate people about their lives.

“Their lives… and their memories need to carry on so that they don’t fade into nothing.”

The 3rd Batallion, 5th Marines, also known as 3/5 or Darkhorse, suffered extreme amounts of causalities. No other Marine unit suffered higher casualties than Darkhorse in the last ten years.

Related Posts

Clark Mills Tornado: Community Mourns Loss and Begins Recovery

Clark Mills Tornado: A Community in Mourning On June 22, 2025, an EF-1 tornado tore through Clark Mills, New York, cutting a 2.4-mile path with winds up…

The Rope That Wasn’t: My Close Call in the Grass

The other day, I stumbled upon something truly strange in my yard. At first glance, it looked like a rope—long, dark, and winding—resting in the grass as…

When a Tree Reminded Me of Life’s Fragility

A Summer Lesson in Caution It was a perfect summer afternoon—blue skies, a breeze, and a picnic blanket spread while the kids played nearby. Our daughter wandered…

My 6-Year-Old Ruined My Birthday Cake—But Her Reason Left Me in Tears

Elaine’s 35th birthday was meant to be a night of warmth, laughter, and love. The cake she had baked sat proudly at the center of the table,…

What My New Husband Revealed After Our Sudden Wedding Surprised Me

After discovering my fiancé had been unfaithful just weeks before our wedding, I felt lost and humiliated. That night, I took a taxi home, where the driver,…

After Losing My Wife, a Vacation With My Son Brought an Unbelievable Surprise

I thought I had lost my wife forever. At just 34, I was raising our 5-year-old son Luke alone, believing Stacey had died in an accident. Grief…