In Heyworth, Illinois, healing is happening through music.
For three years and counting, Heyworth residents have hosted retreats through Freedom Sings USA, a national nonprofit based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, that connects professional songwriters with military veterans.
In mere hours, these veterans’ stories become stirring original songs, opening new pathways to connection and discovery for themselves, their families, and the whole community.
“It has been wonderful to see the community jump on it and say, ‘Let’s be part of this,’” says Sue Lichty, whose volunteer work with veterans inspired her to bring a Freedom Sings retreat to Heyworth.
After holding a virtual retreat in 2022, Lichty and Cindy Rustemeyer successfully fundraised through volunteering, grants, and donations for an in-person Freedom Sings retreat in 2024. They’ve since conducted two more, most recently in June 2026.
Nearly 20 local veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq—and a Gold Star wife—have heard their words transformed into music.
Their first album was released in March. “We were so excited that our little Village of Heyworth had an album out there,” says Lichty, a resident in the village of nearly 3,000.
Each retreat follows a similar flow. The songwriters, helmed by Freedom Sings USA founders Steve Dean and Don Goodman, arrive at Heyworth’s legion post and meet the veterans, families, and volunteers. Former attendees share what the experience meant to them, and the songwriters perform some of their greatest hits for the crowd to enjoy.
The next day, Lichty says, is the “serious day”: the singer-songwriters and veterans pair off, and conversations begin.
“That’s where all the magic happens,” says Lichty. “They’ll just be talking like it’s their neighbor next door; next thing you know, they’re writing song lyrics with the veterans’ own words, putting them to music, and by noon there’s been a song written.”
The songwriters perform the songs that evening at a free public concert. Some songs are light, recalling friendships and funny memories; others are searingly intense, sharing experiences and feelings that even loved ones have never heard.
Lichty says it takes great courage—and encouragement—for veterans to open up in this way.
“The first year, two of our veterans sat in the car and almost didn’t come in,” she remembers.
For those who do, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Families come up and say, ‘We didn’t know any of that, he never talked about that,’” says Lichty.
Veteran Mark Buchholz—who almost decided not to come in—ended up tattooing the title of his song onto his arm. He has since joined Lichty and Rustemeyer in facilitating future retreats.
The retreats offer an opportunity, not just for veterans to share their stories, but for the community to show up for them. So many neighbors have started attending the final concerts that they’ve had to set up an overflow room.
The best sign of the program’s power? Veterans encouraging their friends to participate. “They felt it was worthwhile,” says Lichty, “and now they want to have their friend have that feeling.”
Arts Midwest’s GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness is a grant of $2,000 – $15,000 for nonprofits offering arts programs with a wellness focus in Midwestern communities. It also offers professional development opportunities for grantees.