The healing power of music brought to veterans by real guitar heroes

July 28, 2010 - PRLog -- In 2007, guitar instructor Patrick Nettesheim and guitar-playing Vietnam War veteran Dan Van Buskirk founded Guitars for Vets, a unique form of music therapy offered to veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Guitars for Vets (G4V) is a nonprofit that provides one-on-one guitar lessons and a new acoustic guitar to veterans in recovery.

In a feature interview in Premier Guitar’s August 2010 issue (http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Aug/Brothers_and_Sisters_In_Arms_Guitars_for_Vets.aspx), Nettesheim and Van Buskirk discuss the history of G4V and how holding and playing a guitar can provide comfort and aid in the healing process for veterans who cope with PTSD following a tour of duty.  

“I see a lot of men and women slip through the cracks when they come home. I see them get fired because employers aren’t held accountable for dealing with soldiers with anxiety issues,” says Van Buskirk. “I see things that sadden me, but a smiling face, a compassionate heart, a listening ear, and the vibrations of a guitar can help. I can’t sit back and not be part of the solution. Medication is a useful band-aid but in no way helps the soldiers get their soul back. If a soldier takes meds as the end-all be-all, they will miss out on getting their whole person back. If we take the lead with this program, maybe others will find it easier to help veterans—and maybe the VA will become more progressive and not just say, ‘Increase your meds.’

The organizers also discuss the need for donations. Guitars for Vets has distributed over 600 guitar packs to date, but these instruments are purchased, not donated—and G4V incurs significant shipping costs to send guitars to its chapters. Each guitar pack consists of an instrument, a bag, a tuner, guitar strap and picks. It is paid for by G4V, with the Oscar Schmidt acoustics being purchased at dealer cost. To date, no manufacturer has been willing to donate any instruments, so the organization relies on monetary donations from supporters.

Before receiving their free guitar at their sixth lesson, veterans enrolled in G4V learn to play on donated practice guitars. Those who own an acoustic guitar that no longer play it for one reason or another are asked to donate. Even if the instrument is no longer playable, artists associated with the program can turn it into an art piece that will then be sold to raise funds for G4V through their “Art Strings” program. Those without a guitar to donate can still help by visiting the G4V website (http://www.guitarsforvets.org) and purchasing G4V merchandise with proceeds going to support the organization. G4V is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so monetary donations are tax deductible.  There are other ways to get involved as they need instructors and coordinators to set up new chapters and help with existing groups. Those who are interested are asked to visit www.guitarsforvets.org or http://www.facebook.com/guitarsforvets  for more details on the program and ways you can make a difference.  

For more information, contact Steven “Z”, media and marketing representative for Guitars for Vets at 414-350-0111 or at stevenz@guitarsforvets.com.

# # #

Premier Guitar offers guitarists a multimedia source for news, gear info and education/instruction, PG is the media home for players who are serious about their tone.