VERO BEACH — The elite special operations force known as the Navy SEALs were brought to the forefront of the hearts and minds of Americans last year – first in May, as members of SEAL Team Six found and killed terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, and again in August, when a Chinook helicopter carrying 30 American troops, including 22 SEALs, was shot down by rocket fire from Afghani insurgents.
While most of the nation mourned their deaths from a distance, the loss was personal for Carleigh Beatus, a senior at Saint Edward’s School, whose family friend PO 1st Class Aaron C. Vaughn, a Navy SEAL unit member, was killed in the attack. Vaughn left behind a wife and two children under the age of 2; approximately 40 other children also lost their fathers that tragic day.
Beatus and her co-chair Ridgely Gaier had already been tapped to chair the seventh annual Unravel the Ribbon Fashion Show at the school. As events unfolded, the pair undertook to pay tribute to those who were killed by hosting the event as a Fashion for Freedom benefit for the US Navy Seal Foundation and the Children of 8/6/11. Checks are still coming in, but Beatus said they had already raised more than $17,000 for the families.
“It was just really hard watching his family having to go through this,” said Beatus. “Over the holidays it was so hard for his family. It really affected our own Christmas because we were so close to them. People don’t realize these people are left with nothing once their spouses are killed. It was something that hit close to home. These men and women are going out and giving their lives for us and our freedom. And their families as well – their families are giving them to us to protect us, and so I felt as though this would be a great cause to help out.”
She gave credit to Clara Kassab for initiating the concept of the Unravel the Ribbon Fashion Shows seven years ago as a senior class project; the students involved receive community credit. The baton has been passed down each year, with subsequent chairs choosing the recipient charity.
“I’ve decided to pass it down to Jessica Bass,” said Beatus. “She’s actually a sophomore; she wants to do it in her junior and senior year. She’s always been really helpful and I think she’s going to be great. I really enjoyed doing this. It’s a lot of work, and it’s been quite stressful, but I think it’s all worth it.”
In addition to the fashion show, Beatus arranged to have a video-taped message from Congressman Allen West, and had also invited Vaughn’s parents, Martin County residents Billy and Karen Vaughn to speak.
“What I love about this is seeing students take the initiative to give back like this. For a teenager to see the need and to focus on this terrible loss is a wonderful thing,” said Karen Vaughn.
Despite the somber cause, the event took a lighter turn as roars of approval from the audience greeted 30 students, two teachers and one parent as they strutted the latest spring and summer fashions from Sassy Boutique, Tallulah’s, Cooper and Co., GT Rhodes, Bliss Boutique, Penelope, Twirl, Beach Shop, Vernon Scott and Tracy Scott.
Billy Vaughn later spoke about the men and women who have served and sacrificed their lives, saying, “They have attained freedom for us; it is up to us to keep it.”