Wayne Messmer is no stranger to Chicago sports fans. For two decades the 49-year-old Messmer has been a public address announcer and national anthem singer for sports teams in the Windy City. After singing the “Star Spangled Banner” at a Chicago Blackhawks game in 1994, though, Messmer was shot at point-blank range by two teenage boys. Because the bullet passed through the singer's throat, the doctors were unsure if he'd ever sing again. Amazingly, six months later (still bearing evidence of his ten hour surgery) Messmer returned to the microphone.

Physical healing was one thing. Emotional release of the hatred and resentment he felt was another. Because of his personal faith in Jesus Christ, Messmer was convinced that his emotional healing was linked to his ability to forgive his young assailants.

In his book The Voice of Victory, Messmer writes: "In spite of my frustration I believed I had reached a point where I could honestly say I had forgiven these young men. In doing so, over a period of contemplative and reflective prayer and meditation, I was confident I had set myself free from the chains that had connected me to the incident."

Although one of the boys had been released on a plea bargain, the other, James Hampton, remained incarcerated. To prove to himself that he truly had forgiven his would-be killers, Messmer drove 225 miles to Galesburg Correctional Center and asked to see Hampton. Although several years had passed, and Hampton had grown from a teenager into a young adult, Messmer found the strength and grace to say, "James, I'm here to see how you are doing." After a two hour, emotional visit, Messmer turned to leave. Reaching out and touching Hampton's forearm, he offered a benediction that revealed the freedom of his heart. "James, I bid you peace."