This is absolutely the pinnacle of compassion! Having experienced PTSD early on after Vietnam, I was simply not able to pull together the concentration needed to play music and it drove me nuts. Just now at 63 years old I am again trying to tinker with the piano.  One day someone amongst us will write a love song about Vietnam. All the others are sad, mad and bad. We do have some moments of loving actions to share from our war time experiences. A bunch of guitars across America would make for one helluva of  Veteran Band! God Bless the founders of this gratitude filled charity.

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Guitars for Vets, Inc. (G4V) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enhances the lives of ailing and injured military veterans by 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.

History
In 2007 Patrick Nettesheim, a Milwaukee-area guitar instructor, was introduced to Viet Nam Era Marine, Dan Van Buskirk. Dan wanted to play guitar, but felt that the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) had left him with the inability to coordinate the hands and the mind. What Dan soon discovered was that the same strong heart and spirit that got him through Viet Nam was all that he needed to make music and learn guitar. The lessons that Patrick and Dan shared together were enlightening for them both. Patrick’s success as a teacher was not simply about his ability to play guitar, it had much more to do with the teacher-student bond– Patience, Acceptance, Gratitude and Empathy, or being on the same P.A.G.E., as Patrick describes it. It is when these human qualities are in place that quality learning begins. “The guitar is a catalyst for positive human interaction,” Patrick explains.

It was a few months into these lessons that Dan suggested the two of them bring this modality to the Veterans at the VA in Milwaukee. The idea was born, and Patrick coined the name and slogan: GUITARS FOR VETS – The healing power of music in the hands of heroes. Since 2007, Guitars for Vets has provided over 800 new guitars and 5,000 lessons to our Nation’s Veterans. Chapters have been established in over 25 cities across the country, with more being added as resources are available.

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.

Method
Guitars for Vets provides six free private lessons and a new acoustic guitar to military veterans at VA medical and community-based Vet centers. All veterans are referred to us by the VA medical team in order to integrate the Guitars for Vets program into their treatment regimen. The private lessons are taught by volunteer instructors and are then followed by group sessions that provide a forum for the veterans to talk and play music with like-minded individuals, many of whom have had the same experiences, emotions and traumas. The music sessions provide a communal atmosphere. This has proven to be a catalyst that helps the Vets continue on their road to recovery and well being.

Upon graduation, each Vet in the program is presented a guitar, gig bag, strap, tuner, method book and a certificate of completion. The testimonials throughout the website capture what it has meant to some of the Vets participating in our program.