Troops to Hear "Voices from Home"

Daily Herald,
December 2, 2003

By Lee Filas
Daily Herald Staff Writer

Seventeen Stevenson High School singers teamed up with Congressman Mark Kirk, area church choirs and other musical groups to record "Voices From Home" for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The compact disc, inspired by Kirk and the Midwest Young Artists Center at Fort Sheridan, will be distributed to troops from Illinois serving overseas, said Sarah Barnes, a spokeswoman for the center.

"It was a lot of people coming together to make something in honor of the troops," Barnes said. "I think it will be wonderful for them."

The Stevenson choir, which sang "Carol of the Bells" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" for the CD, was honored to be a part of the project, said Choir Director Alice Nuteson.

"It's a tremendous honor for us and nice for us to give back something to the people who have sacrificed so much for us," Nuteson said.

Stevenson choir member L.B. Brodie, 17, said it was fitting his school contributed two songs on the 12-song CD.

"It's very patriotic and we are the Patriot Singers," Brodie said. "Also, it's another way for me to show my support. I'm really excited about it."

More than 200 copies of the CD "Voices From Home" will be sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. The first group will go to servicemen and women from Illinois who were originally based at Great Lakes Naval Station, Fort Sheridan and the Army's 85th Division in Arlington Heights.

CD includes performances by North Chicago's First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church Choir, the Midwest Young Artists Center, New Trier High School choir and Kenilworth Union Church Choir.

Kirk, Medal of Honor recipient Al Lynch and astronaut Capt. James Lovell will provide readings.

"It's important for the troops to have something to remind them of home," Kirk said. "To have a CD like this will hopefully remind them that we support their efforts."