"Indivisible"

HMC will join forces with the National World War I Museum and Memorial to celebrate the principles of our great nation’s founding . . . that all are created equal. Part of the concert is dedicated to songs of resistance and remembrance, remembering those who have fought and died for our country as well as those important to us who have passed.

Heartland Men’s Chorus, in cooperation with the National World War I Museum and Memorial and in commemoration of the WWI centennial, commissioned Minneapolis-based composer Timothy C. Takach to compose an oratorio for men’s voices, soloists, and chamber ensemble title, We The Unknown. It is the story of Sgt. Edward F. Younger.

Sgt. Younger, a decorated soldier of the First World War was given the sobering task of selecting the remains that would make their way from France to the United States to Arlington National Cemetery to be interred in the newly established Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The remains of four soldiers came one each from the major battlefields in which United States forces had fought: Meuse-Argonne, Aisne-Marne, the Somme, and St. Mihel. Sgt. Younger was asked to take a bouquet of white roses and lay them on one of the four coffins. The rose-laden coffin would become America’s first Unknown Soldier. We The Unknown brings Sgt. Younger’s task to life and give voice to the four unknown soldiers from whom America’s Unknown was chosen. In one instance, rather than the unknown soldier telling his story, it is his Gold Star mother, speaking on his behalf, and on behalf of all who have lost sons, and later daughters, to combat. Heartland Men’s Chorus is also proud to be joined by the men of the U.S. Army Field Band’s Soldier’s Chorus.

We The Unknown is a musical, theatrical and historical undertaking of enormous proportions, one endorsed by the National World War I Centennial Commission. We hope you will attend to collectively honor those who have served in uniform, many paying the ultimate sacrifice, and honor their memory – named or nameless – through song.