Soldier Finds Peace Through Music
(February 26, 2011) |
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| JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Pvt. Christopher
Everett had everyone's attention one cold January day in the
Soldiers' Chapel on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. |
Pvt. Christopher Everett, 95th Chemical
Company, plays guitar and sings his own
composition, “My Prayer,” dedicated to the
memory of Pfc. Amy Sinkler's at a Jan. 28, 2011
service in the JBER Soldiers' Chapel. Photo by
Army Staff Sgt. Jason Epperson |
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Everett, a chemical, biological, radiological,
and nuclear specialist, with the 95th Chemical
Company performed his song “My Prayer” in front
of a crowd of Soldiers and friends that had come
to pay their last respects to Pfc. Amy Renee
Sinkler, who had passed away the prior week
while on convoy operations in Afghanistan.
Everett played guitar and sang with
conviction. Although Everett had never met Pfc.
Sinkler, the song originated out of a feeling of
loss.
“[The song] came from a time in my
life when my friend had just died,” Everett said
softly as he stared at the ground, recalling the
personal memory.
He was at a good point
in his life, he said. He was going to school and
he was about |
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to become a father when he received some tragic
news that forever changed his life. His
childhood friend had just died. |
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“My aunt bought me a guitar for my birthday, so I sat back
in my room and just strummed the guitar trying to find a
sound that would calm me —that would bring me back
together,” he said. “From my notes and feelings came that
song. “
“I felt like a part of me had been taken out,
like I had literally lost a limb,” he said. "So I got on my
knees and the first person I called out to was God and
before I knew it, I had those words written down.”
Since then, he says he has written more than 200 songs and
has set up a small home studio where he records material for
himself and his friends. Music has always been a passion for
him. He remembers being inspired by the music at the church
he attended when he was growing up. He joined the children's
choir, then taught himself piano and acoustic guitar.
His goals are to build up his record label “Tru City
West”, record gospel and R&B music and play live. His wife
Rashanna contributes by providing computer visual art for
his Myspace page.
Everett joined the Army last year,
for stability and security for his family, he said.
”Nobody said that once I got into the Army I would have to
stop doing music,” Everett said.
He is well thought
of by his unit and recognized for his many talents.
“Private Everett, from what I've seen so far, is a very
humble and determined young man,“ said 1st Sgt. Courtney Lee
of 95th Chemical Company. “He's very talented, not only as a
musician, but as a soldier as well. He does everything he's
supposed to do and then some, so he's been nothing but an
asset to, not only our unit, but all of USARAK as well.”
He appreciates that Everett brings soldiers home from
the barracks and teaches them how to record and play music,
keeping them out of trouble, said Capt. Tyler McKee, 95th
Chemical Company commander.
Not very many people knew
who Everett was that day he played guitar and sang in the
chapel, but the impression was lasting. Everett humbly
downplays any recognition from his public performance.
“I don't want any fame or anything from this,” Everett
said. “I got the opportunity to sing for someone who had
passed. I wanted to offer her that out of respect.“ |
By Army SSgt. Jason Epperson
United States Army Alaska
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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