RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Roadhouse Show with Homeslice Media was invited to Grandview Elementary to listen and record a special song written by students in honor of veterans and first responders. Amy Rose, Brandon Jones, and Zaccy Moon were there to capture the performance and speak with those who helped bring it to life.
Under the direction of music specialist Aleisha Bragg, third through fifth graders collaborated to write and perform an original song dedicated to those who serve.
Bragg said she wanted her students to think about gratitude from a personal perspective. “I handed out a sheet of paper one day to all of them and a pencil,” she said. “I just did the scenario of if you had a veteran that was standing in the room who fought for your country, or if you had a relative that was in an accident and a first responder came to help. What would you want to say to them?”
The heartfelt words her students wrote became the lyrics to the song. “All the words were their words,” Bragg explained.
Amy Rose said witnessing the performance was emotional. “As soon as I heard the sound of all the children singing, it just overwhelmed my emotions. With the words and the lyrics, I just kind of felt it. It was beautiful,” she said.
The performance included students from third, fourth, and fifth grade, with all teachers in those classes helping to bring the project to life.
Bragg said the students were thrilled to have their song recorded and to know their message would reach beyond the classroom. “They were totally blown away,” she said. “They were just so excited.”
Grandview Elementary’s dedication to teaching both music and gratitude shines through efforts like this, reminding the community that appreciation for service and sacrifice can begin at any age.
The song and interviews will be featured on The Roadhouse Show’s TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram pages, as well as here in this article, so the community can experience the heartfelt tribute created by the students of Grandview Elementary.
CHORUS:
Let’s here it for the RED, WHITE, AND BLUE! Our Soldiers and our Veterans,
Standing Guard each day to keep us safe!
Let’s here it for our First Responders, our Doctors, Nurses too!
You sacrifice so much, no matter what the call,
So we can all live free in America!
VERSE 1:
We thank our soldiers and our veterans, and all your sacrifice
To keep the country we enjoy today!
We are so grateful, Protection is their call!
We honor you today (go to the chorus)
VERSE 2:
Our First Responders make a difference to our communities,
They serve us every day protecting us.
They rescue us from danger, Bravery is their call
We honor you today (go to the Bridge)
BRIDGE:
Family, School, Community, helps bond us all together,
Respecting everyone, every day.
Your willingness to serve, to keep our families safe,
Thank you for the U.S.A. (yell, “U.S.A)
