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Music Therapy Student Sings of Hope During Pandemic

ThanksUSA Scholar Moriah Fitzgerald's Inspiring Tribute to her U.S. Navy Dad on the Front Lines
Song by Moriah Fitzgerald

Interning from home, half-marathon’s postponed
Won’t walk for graduation, missing wedding celebrations
Laughing at memes, holding it together at the seams
Quarantined day after day makes me say
 
Yeah it’s kinda crazy, and everything’s a mess
Missing out is no fun and restless times bring stress
But I’m a child of the Navy, persevering bravely
I might be worn and tattered, but I’ll hold onto what matters
My resources I’ll exhaust, regardless of the cost
Encouraging others not all hope is lost

Cast out to sea, my Daddy’s far away from me
Set to retire, he chose not to leave,
Sacrificing safety for virus relief
Serving day after day makes me say

Yeah he’s kinda crazy volunteering in the mess
Missing him is no fun and worrying brings stress
But he’s sailor of the Navy, persevering bravely
He might be worn and tattered, but holds onto what matters
Resources he’ll exhaust, regardless of the cost
Encouraging others not all hope is lost
 
And yeah it’s kinda crazy, and everything’s a mess
Pandemics are no fun and viruses bring stress
United as a country, let’s persevere bravely
We might be worn and tattered, but we’ll hold onto what matters
Resources we’ll exhaust, regardless of the cost
So when this is over we’ve gained more than we lost
About the Songwriter
The daughter of a Navy Reservist, Moriah explains that her love of music has been a constant during her military upbringing. “I am from a small town in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, but have moved often throughout my life because of my father’s military service. Although many aspects of life were, and have been, ever changing, my love for music and piano has remained constant.” 

Moriah has received ThanksUSA scholarships totaling $9,000 for Music Therapy studies at West Texas A&M University. She is now completing a clinical internship at Children's Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany, OK, and plans to graduate in August.

Moriah chose the field of Music Therapy because it combines music with the desire to help others. “My goal is to further develop my talents, equipping me to serve children who are developmentally disabled and veterans suffering from PTSD.”
​ThanksUSA is a 501(c)(3) organization that honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces by providing need-based scholarships and pathways to employment for their spouses and children. Since 2006, ThanksUSA has awarded 4,700 scholarships valued at more than $15 million to military families in all 50 states and every branch of the military.