Girl Whose Dad Died in Military Training Finds Man-in-Uniform and Limo Waiting to Take Her to Father-Daughter Dance
For young girls, father-daughter dances are just part of growing up. Unfortunately for Cayleigh Hinton, she’s growing up without a father.
Hinton, who is 5 years old, lost her father in a military training accident last year.
Stars and Stripes reported that Sgt. Terrence Hinton — a member of the Army’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division — was a passenger on a tractor-trailer in Hawaii when the driver lost control and “overturned into a culvert.” The 36-year-old native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, had enlisted back in 2009 and served in Kuwait and Afghanistan, according to The Associated Press.
Sgt. Hinton’s death left a hole in many people’s lives, especially Cayleigh’s. That was acutely felt when she needed a date for the daddy-daughter dance at the Our Lady of Humility School in Chicago.
According to WLS-TV, Hinton’s mother put out a call for a national guardsman to accompany the girl to the event. That’s when 1st Sgt. Joseph Bierbrodt of the Illinois National Guard became a viral hero.
“It wasn’t even really a choice for me. I view it as an honor to be able to do this for her,” Bierbrodt told WLS. And sure enough, he was waiting for the Cayleigh Wednesday night with a limo and flowers.
Even though he’s taken his own daughter to similar dances, Bierbrodt admits he’s not terribly good at cutting a rug.
Cayleigh, however, said she’s got the whole thing down pat.
“I’m very good at it,” she told reporters.
Of course, it didn’t matter much whether or not Bierbrodt was a particularly good dancer. His amazing act went viral quickly, even getting the attention of evangelist Franklin Graham.
“She was treated to a limousine ride, given flowers, and they danced the night away. I’m sure it was an evening she will never forget. Thank you, First Sgt. Bierbrodt — Way to go!” Graham wrote Saturday morning.
To make it even more bittersweet, Sgt. Hinton had talked about taking his young daughter to such events.
“He’s definitely here in spirit,” Jillian Hinton, Cayleigh’s mother, told reporters.
“I heard Cayleigh talking to him while she was getting ready, and I have no doubt she has him with her tonight.”
We can only hope and pray that he was. As for Sgt. Bierbrodt, our hats are off to you. You are a non-commissioned officer and a gentleman. Perhaps most importantly, you made a little girl’s year. This is a moment she’ll never forget — and many people who read this are unlikely to forget it, either.
Please like and share on Facebook and Twitter if you agree First Sgt. Bierbrodt is a hero.
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