National Guard specialist proposes to girlfriend during 440th Army Band performance

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)– One couple had a night they will never forget at the Fourth of July celebration in downtown Wilmington.

Becky Yeager and her family came to Wilmington tonight to watch her boyfriend Sgt. Drew Cox perform for the 440th army band. What she didn’t know was she was part of the night’s performance.

Yeager and Cox have been dating for 5 years now. Cox is a specialist in the National Guard, but also plays guitar. He was performing tonight with the 440th army band. Becky thought she was just watching him perform as she always does. Then he took the stage and told the crowd he was singing to her for her birthday that he missed last week.

“So different and so new,” Cox sang.” It wasn’t like any other, ‘till I met you.”

Once the song came to a close, he ended on one knee with a ring in his hand.

“Rebecca Anne Yeager will you marry me?” Cox asked.

She of course said yes and he got a standing ovation. Cox said he had a lot going through his head.

“Just don’t forget the words,” Cox explained. “Don’t forget the words and let it flow. That’s part of performance, and being a musician and being in love.”

They got to join the rest of the crowd to watch the fireworks shortly after to end the celebration.
They will return home to Raleigh Thursday night to start making wedding plans.