Song sales to benefit Semper Fi

Michael Curtis performs “We Know You” at the song release held at Rocket Republic Brewing Company in Madison. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Semper Fi Community Task Force of North Alabama hosted the official release of the song, “We Know You,” at Rocket Republic Brewing Company, 289 Production Ave. in Madison.

Vocal artist Michael Curtis performed his composition on Jan. 28 during the task force’s Annual Volunteer Recognition gathering.

Curtis was motivated to write the song during Heroes Week 2015 at Asbury United Methodist Church last November.

Planning this luncheon, task force volunteer Faye Wishik and ‘Madison First Lady’ Dana Trulock were discussing the lack of entertainment. Wishik invited Kids to Love founder and vocalist Lee Marshall, who asked her songwriter/producer and friend Michael Curtis to join her.

Inspired by the soldiers and their families’ sacrifices, Curtis extemporaneously wrote the tribute song, “We Know You.” He based the song on a banner reading “You don’t know us but U fought for us” from a welcoming party for returning soldiers at Huntsville International Airport.

Curtis said “the songwriter in him kicked in.” He immediately left to go to a nearby prayer room to compose the lyrics. He sang the song at the luncheon and attendees were so moved “there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience,” Wishik said.

Curtis then worked with Faye and Jeff Wishik to develop a strategy and financial path to professionally record “We Know You.” The Wishiks now own Curtis’ recording and intend to donate this song to the Semper Fi Community Task Force with future revenues designated to support Heroes Week and visitation of Wounded Veterans and caregivers.

“Each year that we host Heroes Week, we’re humbled by support from the very patriotic Tennessee Valley community,” task force chairman Todd Butler said.

Semper Fi Community Task Force, an all-volunteer organization, includes veterans from all U.S. Armed Forces, their families and friends.

Sales of “We Know You” on iTunes and Amazon Music will support the task force’s annual Heroes Week events. For more information, visit semperfictf.org and rocketrepublicbrewing.com.