The words and melody for "Unsung Hero" came to me while I was driving in the car. I had been reflecting on my life and what was happening to me - and was praying. Before I finished the drive I had it. A tune had come and the words "unsung hero". I immediately thought of a young boy who had died while serving in the Middle East. He had been in my confirmation class and I just loved him. I thought too of the brave young man who had enlisted at the same time as this young boy and who died only weeks after him. I wanted to write about THEM and in time came to write about so much more.

Unsung Hero is about the men and women who serve in our United States Military and sacrifice so much for us. It is about people who may not call themselves heroes but are…. people who build others up ….quietly and behind the scenes. It is also about the great communities and people we come from and the God who sees the "Unsung Hero" in us all.

In March of 2004 our community was hit with the news that a young soldier from our area had died while serving in the Middle East. Words do not begin to describe how we felt or what it was like. We gathered together at church to try to make some sense of it all. We leaned on each other … and on God … and in that leaning found the strength to carry on.

Less than one month later, word came that another soldier from our area had died while serving in the Middle East. It didn't seem possible that after losing one very bright and promising young man, we could lose another one so quickly. Once again we gathered at church. We found that prayer and music could do what plain words could not in bringing a sense of peace to those who gathered.

Only six days later we learned that a soldier from a neighboring town had also died in the Middle East. Here within only five weeks, our area lost three young men. It was inconceivable. We grieved along with them, for where really does one community end and another begin?

We know there continues to be soldiers dying and communities being hit with the sad news of one of their own joining the ranks of the fallen. It is our hope that the sharing of our community's story and the words of this song may bring comfort and healing to those in need.

A SONG INSPIRED BY A RURAL NORTHERN MINNESOTA COMMUNITY REACHES OUT ACROSS BORDERS, OFFERING COMFORT, HOPE AND HEALING TO THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF THEIR "UNSUNG HEROES".

On September 17, MaryRose Varo of Cromwell, Minnesota sang "Unsung Hero" at Arlington National Cemetery during and event honoring fallen heroes and their families.

The chain of events began late August at the Carlton County Fair. On display during Military Day was the "Traveling Memorial" a monument dedicated to the Minnesota Heroes who lost their life during the Global War on Terrorism. Jon Enstrom, creator of the monument, extended an invitation for Varo to sing the song at the dedication ceremony held September2, 2007 at Veteran's Lake in Ramsay, Minnesota.

During this event, Gold Star Mother, Merrilee Carlson heard the song and invited Varo to sing at an event she was helping to organize in Washington D.C. for Gold and Blue Star parents and families from around the country. "I was so honored to be asked to sing for this and share our community's story through the words of this song," said Varo. "It was touching to see this song reaching so many people. It was beautiful to experience and powerful to witness." Rory Butkiewicz, co-producer of "Unsung Hero", went on the trip as well. "As MaryRose sang the song I felt our Marine heroes and their families along with our whole community honored. I felt our community embracing the other communities from around the country. It was a very blessed experience for me," said Butkiewicz.

Varo wrote the song ion 2004 shortly after the deaths of two Marines from the Moose Lake area. "Knowing these boys influenced the writing of the song," commented Varo. While they were there, Varo and Butkiewicz had the opportunity to have breakfast at the White House along with the Gold and Blue Star families. President Bush spoke at the conclusion of the breakfast and took the next hour to personally visit with the families.

"Watching President Bush first hand consoling these families was a moving experience for me." said Butkiewicz. Varo also had the chance to sing "Unsung Hero" for the closing dinner held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA.