In a heartwarming moment during the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Advanced Leadership Course graduation ceremony, Staff Sgt. Daniel Pepin created a memory that will last a lifetime. On December 14, 2024, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia, attendees were witness to a GSDF “first”—a marriage proposal.
As the ceremony honored the hard work and dedication of the graduates, Staff Sgt. Pepin took the moment to create a memory that would last a lifetime. With the spotlight on the graduates, he turned the attention to his own personal milestone, calling his girlfriend, Alexandra, forward. In front of a room filled with fellow service members, friends, and family, Pepin knelt down and revealed an engagement ring, his voice filled with emotion as he asked Alexandra to marry him.
The room held its breath for a brief moment as Alexandra took in the surprise, her smile growing as she responded with a resounding, “Yes!” The crowd erupted in applause, cheers echoing through the hall, and some attendees were even seen wiping away tears of joy. In that instant, the leadership graduation ceremony became a celebration not only of professional achievement but also of love and partnership.
Staff Sgt. Pepin’s heartfelt gesture added an unforgettable layer to the event, reminding everyone present of the personal connections and support systems that are essential to life in service. His proposal embodied the spirit of the Georgia State Defense Force—a community that values dedication, resilience, and the bonds that make service meaningful.
Congratulations to Staff Sgt. Daniel Pepin and Alexandra on their engagement! May their journey together be as strong and inspiring as the values they uphold within the GSDF.
She said, “Yes!”
Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Staff Sgt. Daniel Pepin proposes to his girlfriend, Alexandra, during the GSDF Advanced Leadership Course graduation ceremony, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, Forsyth, Ga., Dec. 14, 2024.
Ceremony attendees watched as Staff Sgt. Pepin presented the engagement ring during this GSDF “first.” Applause erupted after Alexandra accepted Staff Sgt. Pepin’s marriage proposal.
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
Join the GSDF at gsdf.link/join
We are Georgia’s state guard!
(Georgia State Defense Force photo courtesy of Alex Tello)
Source: Georgia State Defense Force
