Teenage Girl Wrote Heartwarming Song About Father Who Has Served in US Army for 29 Years

By Sarah Carri March 24, 2019 at 12:40pm

Everyone loves a military homecoming story. We relate to the tears, we virtually share the hugs, and we look on as families are reunited once again.

But we don’t often get the opportunity to witness what comes after that homecoming. Where are those families now, so many years later?

In 2011, NBC 15 shared the story of U.S. Army dad Captain William McElroy from Mobile, Alabama. The day he surprised his son and daughter on the football field after a game is surely a memory they’ll never forget.

Captain McElroy’s daughter, Anna McElroy, was moved to tears that day just as her brother Grant was. Both clearly love their father deeply.

Now Anna is 19 and has shown her love in a heartwarming — and now viral — way. As it turns out, Anna has quite the musical talent.

In honor of her father’s 29 years of service with the military, Anna got together with Keith C. Follese and Adrienne Follese and wrote a song.

“‘Both Sides Of The Ocean’… is a summary of our lives during the 2 years my dad was on active duty,” Anna wrote on Facebook.

Were you moved to tears by Anna McElroy's song for her dad?

“I managed to keep this song a secret until his retirement party,” Anna went on, explaining that it was a “miracle” she “made it through without shedding a tear.”

“But it was by far the most difficult thing to hold back,” Anna added. “I love you dad. Thank you for everything.”

Now that we’ve heard the song too, we understand why this star in the making might get emotional over this touching tribute to her father.

Is it too late for Anna McElroy to audition for American Idol? She’s hugely talented and her proud dad — who retired on March 1, 2019 — agrees!

“She has the passion,” Captain McElroy told NBC 15. “She has the drive and determination to succeed… that is the most satisfying thing.”

Though Anna is currently pursuing a business degree at the University of Alabama, we think she may just be in the business of music before we know it.

We hope so, anyway. Congratulations on your retirement, Captain McElroy. And Anna, keep on sharing that beautiful voice and heart with the world. You’re an inspiration to us all.

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Family, Military, Women

Sarah Carri

Contributor, Lifestyle

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Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.

Education

Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)

Location

Arizona

Languages Spoken

English

Topics of Expertise

Entertainment, Faith