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When planning events for this year‘s Month of the Military Child, Ms. Anderson, a 3rd grade teacher at Sullivans Elementary in Yokosuka, Japan, knew that she had to do something special. She wanted to honor students at her school and all military children across the world for their strength and resiliency. This year has been particularly challenging for military children who had to endure stressors typically associated with the military lifestyle, along with changes brought on by the COVID pandemic. Ms. Anderson is a singer-songwriter who has been writing and recording music for over 20 years. She thought a song might be the perfect gift for our military kids this year, a song written just for them.
“The idea came to me to write “Little Heroes” because every year when we talk about being a military child, my students always give examples about having to do brave things every day,” stated Anderson. “Their strength and ability to take on challenges above and beyond the typical school year experience throughout their childhood absolutely inspires me! The song began with the line “life finds a little hero every day,” and grew from there.”
Anderson recorded a rough copy of the song on her phone and sent it to the Seventh Fleet Navy band to see if they would like to collaborate to record and produce the song. They agreed and joined forces on an amazing project for the kids. Musician First
Class Joshua N. Haney, a member of the Seventh Fleet Band, shared his experience with us. "My team and I had a great experience working with Ms. Anderson and The
Sullivans Elementary to make this project come to life. The hard work from Ms. Anderson and her students, The Sullivans Elementary, and DODEA Pacific really shows on this project! Having grown up as a military child myself "Little Heroes" really resonated with me. I salute all military children and their families around the world."
Over a few weeks they were able to collaborate and create a professionally produced song, even featuring Ms. Anderson’s 3rd grade class on background vocals. Patricia Carlson, a 2nd grade teacher at Sullivans, then created a music video featuring pictures of local military families and messages for the kids, sent in by parents and over 15commands onboard CFAY. The video has been viewed and shared thousands of times on the Dodea Sullivans Facebook page and the song is available for free download here.
Little Heroes (Written by Sandi Anderson)
Lyrics
All these years and so many miles
I watch you grow through the tears and smiles
It's always hard leavin' the friends you made
But memories that you'd never trade
I don't always say I'm proud
I just want to shout it loud for you and all you do
When you say
I'm that new kid in the class
Here and gone it goes so fast
But I find a way to never say I can't
Even when you're far away
In my heart I hear you say
Life finds a Little Hero everyday
Around the world we see so many things
And all the different homes that the adventure brings
Beneath the Flag we are standing tall
Did you know because of you I can do it all
I don't always say I'm proud
I just want to shout it loud for you and all you do
When you say
I'm that new kid in the class
Here and gone it goes so fast
But I find a way to never say I can't
Even when you're far away
In my heart I hear you say
Life finds a Little Hero everyday
