Artists Registry
Columbia SC United States
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Artist's Statement
Statement of Work
This song was written in 2001 as a means of helping students handle their own grief, honor all of our heroes, and pay tribute to our legacy, the American spirit. Lyrics are by Patricia Brandon and music by Richard Vandiver, Sr. A small group of teachers sing the background vocals, and the 4th and 5th chorus students' voices addition in the middle provide incredible joy and hope.
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Patricia Brandon is a retired school counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Family Court Mediator. She currently is in part-time private practice.
Richard Vandiver is a former (retired) director at the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
They both belong to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina, where they play guitar and sing in the contemporary Praise Choir. Patricia wrote the lyrics, Richard wrote the music, and they both sang the lead parts in this song, with teachers, and students singing the backup portions. The song is dedicated to America's children and heroes, young and old.