Bring them home

Performer Shayne Stolz says he’s singing to bring Canadian soldiers back home safe and sound.

The 19-year-old, second year contemporary music student at Humber College, arrived in Thunder Bay Friday night and immediately the next day went to practice with the Gentlemen of Harmony men’s choir. He and the other members practised in preparation for their show at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita on Saturday.

But there was one song in particular that Stolz wanted to make sure he had down perfectly. He said he`ll sing Bring Him Home from the musical Les Misérable in tribute to three of Thunder Bay’s fallen soldiers, Pte. Robert Costall, Cpl. Anthony Boneca and Pte. Josh Klukie who were killed in Afghanistan in 2006.

Stolz felt proud that he could contribute something to those impacted by the loss of a fallen soldier, he said.

"I couldn’t have asked for anything better than to be a part of this," Stolz said. "I’ve related (Bring Him Home) to bringing the soldiers home and bringing them home safely. For those that haven’t come home, this is almost a tribute to them and saying that they are home in heaven or home where ever they may be."

Chris Jason, spokesman for the Gentlemen of Harmony group, said they were excited to have Stolz on board to give tribute to the fallen soldiers. In addition to the tribute, a portion of ticket sales will go towards the George Jeffrey Children Centre.

He said they wanted give something back to those who may have served or may have a family member in Afghanistan serving.

"We very much support the Canadian troops and we thought it would be a very fitting tribute because the song that they are performing," Jason said. "Of course we want all our troops to come home and we think this will be very significant for those that are joining us that may be veterans in the audience."

The songs chosen were from various musicals from the 50s to more modern musicals such as the TV show Glee, he said.