GUITARS FOR VETS – THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC IN THE HANDS OF HEROES
NOW THERE’S A WAY WE ALL CAN GIVE BACK TO THOSE WHO GAVE IT ALL
At Jackaboutguitars, we’re all about anything guitar – as the tagline says, “just a fun little guitar site“. Anytime that anything guitar can bring about an awareness of something worthwhile, cool, or plain old fun that someone else is doing with guitars, we just have to include it on the website.
If you have been reading Jackaboutguitars, you’ll probably remember the story “ED VAN HALEN’S BIG GUITAR SECRET REVEALED…” If you didn’t get a chance to read it, it’s a story about Ed Van Halen’s donation of 75 EVH electric guitars to the Los Angeles School District. “Music education and families are dealing with the economic times,” Ed said in a statement, “and I wanted to help them. Playing music has provided a good life for me”, said Van Halen. “Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me.” What a cool, generous move on Ed’s part. Here’s another story that everyone out there can be a part of. This story is just too good.
THE STORY OF GUITARS FOR VETS
Did you ever think that you could help someone else in such an epic way as this just by donating a guitar? Guitars for Vets is a really great program which helps Vets who suffer with the effects of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
THE GUITARS FOR VETS VISION:
“Our primary focus is using the healing power of music to help our veterans. Whether we agree or disagree with the decision to go to war, one thing is for certain: there are men and women who bravely fight for and honorably represent our country. As a consequence of war, many of our soldiers come home with physical and emotional injuries. They need our help.”
Guitars for Vets came to be in 2007 after Milwaukee based Guitar Instructor, Patrick Nettesheim, was introduced to Vietnam Era Marine, Dan Van Buskirk. Dan wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but PTSD had left Dan with the inability to coordinate his hands and mind. Dan discovered the same strong heart and positive spirit that got him through his time in Viet Nam was everything that he needed to make music and learn guitar. The lessons which Patrick and Dan shared were quite eye opening for the two of them. “The guitar is a catalyst for positive human interaction,” stated Patrick.
Being a successful Guitar Instructor wasn’t only about Patrick’s competence in being a good guitarist, but also had to do with his fantastic ability as a teacher who knows just how to relate to his students – “Patience, Acceptance, Gratitude and Empathy, or being on the same P.A.G.E.,” as Patrick says.
Dan & Patrick went on to form Guitars for Vets. Guitars for Vets is a non profit organization that is registered with the federal government and works with injured military veterans providing them with guitars and music instruction. “Through self-expression and the healing power of music, it is our intent to restore the feelings of joy and purpose that can be lost after suffering trauma.”
To date, Guitars for Vets has 25 Chapters in 25 cities in 15 states
Great project! I’m a psychologist, professor, guitar player who works with trauma. My research group is doing a survey to find out how trauma/PTSD survivors use music to help cope. Please share, we need participants!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PTSD-music