Anthem singer Cornelison sings at Vets Fest
HUNTLEY — Jim Cornelison has been a long-time singer of the “Star Spangled Banner” at Chicago Blackhawks games since 2008. He added Huntley’s Town Square to his many venues as he kicked off Vets Fest on June 15.
Cornelison’s tenor voice boomed and brought a long applause after two songs, the national anthem “God Bless America.” He sang the national anthem at the Hawks Stanley Cup wins in 2010, 2013 and 2015. This day, he wore his Stanley Cup ring he was given by the Blackhawks after their 2015 championship. He met many local veterans afterward and posed for photos.
“I first started singing the national anthem in 1996, and back then they (the Blackhawks) had five guys do it. I was named the lead singer in 2008,” Cornelison said. “I sing the national anthem the most but also ‘O Canada’ when Canadien teams play the Hawks. I get a wide range of reactions from veterans.”
According to his web site, “The Anthem Singer”, Cornelison has also sang professionally at many opera houses, including The Lyric Opera in Chicago and London’s opera house. Since 2017, he has sung “Back Home Again” before the Indy 500 race in Indianapolis.
Cornelison, a child of parents who are veterans, supports veterans through a non-profit Live the Salute organization.
Vets Fest held
Navy veteran Glenn Scerbicke and Marine veteran Jeff Tobias, from Pingree Grove and Huntley, respectively, shared stories of their military service at the Vets Fest event. They were two of the hundreds of veterans and those who support veterans causes who attended the event.
“It’s awesome,” Scerbicke said of the Vets Fest event. He served in the Navy from 1982-88, after graduation from Hoffman Estates High School. “I just enlisted, but I asked for and they put it in my contract to do basic at San Diego.”
“I served in the Marines from 1978-82,” Tobias said. He came to the seven-hour event to hear Cornelison sing.
Vets Fest Chairman Ken Raymer praised the many sponsors, and that “Huntley is a great community. All the money raised goes to support worthwhile veterans causes. It’s a community effort,” Raymer told the crowd. Three bands entertained the audiences.
Three bands – “The Loverboyz”, “Bucket No. 6” and “The Lounge Puppets” performed songs at Vets Fest. In addition to its American Legion Post 673, Huntley has an active Sons of the American Legion and Auxiliary organizations. Mike Pickell, whose father served in Vietnam, is Commander of the Sons of the Huntley Sons of the American Legion Chapter.
“We have 100 members,” Pickell said. “I’m excited for the event – I hope we have a big turnout.”
One could learn of services for veterans, including “Be the One”, an effort to prevent suicide by veterans, organized by Crystal Lake American Legion Post 171.
Also, Woodstock based McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission, which has served veterans and their families since, 1989, was also on hand. Services include financial assistance for veterans and help with disability claims. The commission, located at McHenry County Government Building, may be reached at 815-334-4229, email [email protected].
