Aubrey Headon, senior at Rochelle Township High School located in Rochelle, Illinois, decided to make a powerful statement with her prom dress this year.
In fact, she spent two years planning, designing, and creating her masterpiece, a gorgeous tribute to local fallen soldiers.
One of the reasons her dress went viral was not only because it resembled the American flag, but also because the 25 ribbons that adorned the dress’ skirt represented late military members.
With a navy blue background and a sparkly halter top that looks like the flag’s field of stars, each of the red and white ribbons features a soldier’s name.
One single black ribbon features the name, Tyler Smith, a graduate of her high school and a fallen member of the Illinois Army National Guard who drowned, but the other ribbons represent fallen members of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.
Aubrey became determined to create her dress after meeting Gretchen Catherwood, a Gold Star mother of a fallen Marine from the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.
Gretchen is responsible for establishing the Darkhorse Lodge, an organization that assists combat veterans.
After spending some time with Gretchen, Aubrey decided to take some action as well in honoring those who died fighting for our rights.
She said to Yahoo Lifestyle, “I don’t want them to fade into nothing.”