With artistry, honesty and a lot of courage, the veteran and Grammy-nominated musicians transform personal stories into powerful songs.
Hayworth, Illinois, is healing through music.
For three years and counting, Hayworth residents have hosted the retreat Freedom Sings USAA national nonprofit based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, that connects professional songwriters with military veterans.
In just a few hours, the stories of these veterans stir into original songs, opening new avenues of connection and discovery for themselves, their families, and entire communities.
“It’s been amazing to see the community jump on it and say, ‘Let’s be a part of this,’” said Sue Lichty, whose volunteer work with seniors inspired her to bring the Freedom Sings retreat to Hayworth.
After holding a virtual retreat in 2022, Lichty and Cindy Rustemeyer successfully raised funds for an in-person Freedom Sings retreat in 2024 through volunteers, donations and grants. Since then they have conducted two more, most recently in June 2026.
About 20 local veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq—and one Gold Star wife—have their words turned into music.
their first album Released in March. “We were so excited that our little village of Hayworth had an album out there,” said Lichty, a resident of the village of about 3,000.
Each retreat follows a similar flow. Led by Freedom Sings USA founders Steve Dean and Dawn Goodman, the songwriters arrived at the Legion Post in Hayworth and met with veterans, families and volunteers. Former attendees share what the experience meant to them, and songwriters perform some of their greatest hits for the crowd to enjoy.
The next day, Lichty says, is “the serious day”: singer-songwriters and veterans pair up, and conversations begin.
“That’s where all the magic happens,” says Leach. “They’ll talk just like it’s their next-door neighbor; you know, they’re writing lyrics with the elders’ own words, making music, and a song is written by noon.”
The songwriters performed at a free public concert that evening. Some songs are light, recalling memories of friendship and fun; Others are intensely intense, sharing experiences and feelings that even loved ones have never heard.
Lichty says it takes a lot of courage and enthusiasm for seniors to open up in this way.
“The first year, two of our veterans sat in the car and almost didn’t come,” she recalls.
For those who do, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Families come in and say, ‘We didn’t know about this, he never talked about it,'” says Leachty.
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This story was originally published by Arts MidwestA Midwestern nonprofit fosters creativity Creative Commons License
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