Daddy-daughter dances are a staple of growing up for many girls and women.

There are a lot of fond memories to be made at those school dances and it’s a great way to bond with your dad. But what’s a girl to do if she doesn’t have a father? For one little girl, a whole group of soldiers and servicemembers stepped up to make her night one to remember.

Cayleigh Hinton was 4 years old when her father lost his life in a military training accident. Without her father around, she had no one to take her to her school’s upcoming daddy-daughter dance. This event is a special one for many families, and her mother was worried about what to do.

So she put out a request to have someone from the National Guard take her little girl to the dance. She and her late husband had talked about this moment for a long time, and she was determined to make it happen for her.

First Sergeant Joseph Bierbrodt saw the request and felt up to the task.
From his perspective, “it had to be done.” He elaborated further by saying to ABC 7 Chicago:

“It wasn’t even really a choice for me. I view it as an honor to be able to do this for her.”

So Sergeant Bierbrodt accepted the request and began to make plans to make it a very special night for young Cayleigh.