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A couple of days before Christmas in 2004, my sister and brother-in-law had a Christmas party for the extended family. When I went home that evening, I was left with the warmth that only being with your loved ones can create. I hadn't written anything on piano for years and kept thinking about a conversation I had with my cousins Jeff and Karen about really letting go on my vocals. Mixed with my happiness was the realization that many of my fellow countrymen and women were overseas, away from their families, defending our freedom, and that one of their loved ones back home might be getting the letter or telephone call they feared.

For the Heroes was written faster than any other song I have ever written. From start to finish, it took about 1 hour and I had it recorded the next afternoon. I truly believe that this song was a gift in two ways. First, if even one of our (or our Allies) servicemen appreciate it, then it's a gift to them. Second, I didn't have the money to join a program to show my support, so in that respect, it was also a gift to me so that I could give them something back for all they've done. As my wife taught me, St. Augustine said, "He who sings prays twice."

I chose to make this song free because I wrote it to celebrate the brave men and women who enable me to be.

Matt Fitzgibbons