SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The little girl climbed the stairs to her room, shut the door and the world faded away as she grabbed her hairbrush and took the stage before an imaginary audience of thousands of screaming fans.
For as long as she can remember, Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer Kohany of Chicago, an intelligence analyst with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd Brigade Support Battalion, has been singing – whether in front of the mirror in her room growing up in Valhalla, N.Y, or to a stadium filled with thousands of people before military functions and sporting events.
"I can't remember not hearing Jenny sing," said Debbie Kohany, Jennifer's mother. "She was in chorus from first grade all the way through graduation of high school. I would so love hearing her sing at home when she was in her room, whether it was opera, country or rock. When Jen sings her face lights up and her eyes sparkle. You can see how much she loves to sing."
Kohany continued her passion into college while attending Columbia College in Chicago.
"In college I was involved with Columbia College's chorus, and considered a major in vocal performance, but decided instead to major in American Sign Language interpretation," said Kohany.
Almost 200 years ago, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned the words to a poem called "Defence of Fort McHenry." The poem was later set to the tune of "The Anacreotic Song" a British drinking song written by John Stafford Smith, a tune already popular in the United States.
The combination of the two would soon become a well-known American patriotic song. It was not until 1931, by congressional resolution, that the Star-Spangled Banner became the national anthem.
"When I was in basic training, one of the drill sergeants in my platoon emphasized the importance of knowing patriotic staples, to include the Pledge of Allegiance, 'God Bless America,' and 'The Star Spangled Banner,' in addition to the basic warrior skills," Kohany said.
While in basic training, Kohany was randomly chosen and asked if she knew the National Anthem. Having grown up in a patriotic family, in addition to participating in choir, she did.
"They called me to the front of the 'war room,' and called everyone to attention while I sang," said Kohany. "The drill sergeants stood there in shock that not only did I know the words, but I actually knew how to sing as well."
From that moment, Kohany has been called out by her fellow Soldiers who have knowledge of her ability and has been asked to sing at different events.
Kohany was part of the Illinois Army National Guard's largest call-up since World War II and deployed with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan in 2008.
While deployed the control, communications and computer systems section hosted a contest called Phoenix Idol showcasing the talent of Soldiers serving overseas as part of Task Force Phoenix VIII.
"A good friend of mine, Staff Sergeant Adam Gordon, was the emcee of Phoenix Idol and asked if I would come out on New Year's Eve and participate," said Kohany, "I obliged, with no intention of entering the competition because I had a pretty hectic schedule and didn't really have the time to learn and practice music for each week’s category."
Kohany did not win the contest but was noticed by several Soldiers on Camp Phoenix and it was through this that she was introduced to Tom Negovan, a reporter for WGN Chicago, while he was visiting Camp Phoenix to do a three-part series on Afghanistan, said Kohany.
"[Negovan] interviewed me and asked if I would have any interest in singing at a Cubs game when I returned back to the states," said Kohany. "Sure enough, we stayed in touch, and as soon as I had a number to call, I was receiving a call from a Cubs publicist, asking if I'd be available to sing for the opening."
Although growing up a Yankee fan, Kohany said she is also a Chicago Cubs fan. She said singing in front of 40,000 people, with her friends and family present, was amazing.
Patrotic songs have always held a deeper meaning to veterans and servicemembers and their loved ones, said Staff Sgt. John Robinson, who served as a chaplain assistant for the 33rd IBCT while in Afghanistan with Kohany.
"Listening to someone who has given their blood, sweat and tears for this country and then so passionately sings our National Anthem, gives me chills, every time," said Robinson "I believe every time someone like Jen sings it, she does it as an honor to our Nation and for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."
The most meaningful performance came in June of 2005, though not on the happiest note, said Kohany.
"My mom had been engaged to one of the most incredible people I've ever met, Eamonn," said Kahoney.
"They had put off getting married while I was in college, but because of the closeness of our relationship, I referred to him as my stepdad. My mom manages a small Irish Bar on the south side of Chicago. Every so often, I would stop in on a Friday night when Eamonn could persuade me to sing on karaoke night. He was really the only person who could charm me into singing there, and always asked me to sing 'Angel' by Sarah McLaughlin; both mine and his favorite song."
That January, a friend of Eamonns had passed away and he asked Kohney to sing a couple of songs at the wake. After the church ceremony, someone approached Eamonn, and complimented the voice of his 'daughter.'
"He acknowledged his pride, and it was one of the prouder moments in my own life," said Kohney.
"Little did I know that only six months later, Eamonn would pass away, while at work, at 1 o'clock in the morning.
"It was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do, but I knew it would mean the world to my mom and family," she said. "So at his memorial ceremony, I sang 'Angel.'
“That certainly wasn't my favorite performance, but it was the most monumental. It was hard, and I knew that if I could get through the song that I could do nearly anything, and I know that he would've been proud."
Kohney said she has always loved singing; from singing in her car, at school, in church or at a karaoke bar.
Kohney's mother has encouraged her to pursue a career in singing, but Kohney said she sings for the love of singing, not the love of fame.
"I do it because I enjoy it, not because I'm trying to get discovered or anything like that," said Kohney. "Since high school, she has urged me to pursue a singing career, but I've found my niche with the military, and I'm pretty happy with that."