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.

The names of the Marines are:

• 1st Lt. Robert M. Kelly
• 1st Lt. William Donnelly
• Lance Cpl. Arden Buenagua
• Lance Cpl. John Sparks
• Cpl. Justin Cain
• Pfc. Victor Dew
• Lance Cpl. Joseph Rodewald
• Sgt. Ian Tawney
• Lance Cpl. Phillip Vinnedge
• Lance Cpl. Alec Catherwood
• Lance Cpl. Irvin Ceniceros
• Lance Cpl. Joseph Lopez
• Lance Cpl. James Boelk
• Lance Cpl. Matthew Broehm
• Lance Cpl. Brandon Pearson
• Lance Cpl. Randy Braggs
• Lance Cpl. James Stack
• Sgt. Jason Peto
• Sgt. Matthew Abbate
• Lance Cpl. Kenneth Corzine
• Pfc. Colton Rusk
• Cpl. Derek Wyatt
• Lance Cpl. Jose Maldonado
• Cpl. Tevan Nguyen
• Sgt. Jason Amores

What do you think about her prom dress?