A Modern Day Minstrel
Major John Aren, an ordained minister of 30 years and administrator of The Salvation Army Chicago Adult Rehabilitation Center, has been playing the hits on his horn nearly every evening from his fourth-floor balcony in his Near North Chicago neighborhood since the stay-at-home protocol began. He’s played songs like Sweet Home Chicago, the Rocky theme song and even a tribute to Bill Withers the day he passed and many more. On Sundays, he plays more conventional worship music. Major Aren is a full-time pastor, and this is by many means a ministry.
People on the street stop and cheer, and windows slowly display individuals and families watching. Every night there seems to be a few more people than the night before. The applause reverberates off the multi-level residential units that line his neighborhood. He ends every song with his COVID-19 mantra, “Wash and Pray,” followed quickly by cheers that matched the decibels of his amplifier used for his backing tracks. Several people have even dropped off cards at his condominium’s front desk, thanking him for brightening their day.
One Day the Music Stopped
On April 7, Major Aren was admitted to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center with severe respiratory issues. Major Aren struggled to breathe, just 24 hours after his last balcony performance. Throughout his hospital stay he relied heavily on oxygen to breathe. Five days later he was released from the hospital and received at-home nursing care until April 28. Still on the mend, he could barely speak to his family on the phone. Nearly three weeks later Major Aren finally was able to feel some sense of normalcy.
Major John Aren and his wife Major Julie Aren work daily with men and women who stay at the Adult Rehabilitation Center, a no-cost, faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. Adult Rehabilitation Centers are funded by The Salvation Army Family Stores. In addition to running the Adult Rehabilitation Center with his wife, Major Aren also oversees the 22 Family Stores in Chicagoland and is vital to the day-to-day operation.
In working with this vulnerable population, both Major John and Major Julie contracted and tested positive for COVID-19.
Currently, all Family Stores are closed. Majors Aren have the difficult task of navigating the safety and wellbeing of their staff, store employees and beneficiaries of the program. Of course, doing all this from a safe distance.
Back to the Balcony
Major Aren heavily anticipated the day where he could blow enough air through his horn. That day came April 29. He picked up right where he left off.
In fact, he’s gained so much popularity he was featured on Chicago’s ABC7 and NBC5 on May 4, followed by another appearance on ABC7 and an extended feature on WGN the following night.
Music and The Salvation Army
Music is strongly embedded in the rich history of The Salvation Army. Major Aren learned to play brass instruments as a child attending his local The Salvation Army Corps and Community Center. His father, uncles and siblings all participated in playing their instruments during church. He also attended summer music camps hosted by The Salvation Army, which are still offered around the Midwest today. While attending these camps, he met his wife, Julie.
Major Aren currently performs with The Chicago Staff Band, a Salvation Army entity that tours the United States and occasionally abroad. The Chicago Staff Band has currently suspended all activity in accordance with The Salvation Army’s response to COVID-19.