'Guitars 4 Vets' to give instruments to PTSD victims

A local business in Franklin has teamed up with the “Guitars 4 Vets” initiative.
FIFOLET Candle Makers has teamed up with the organization and will be the official guitar drop-off location for this region. People may donate their unused acoustic guitars and FIFOLET will assure that the guitars get to the National Headquarters.
In partnership with “Guitars 4 Vets”, FIFO-LET is the official guitar drop-off location along the Cajun Coast. Guitar donations will be accepted Tuesday through Sundays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., located at 906 1/2 Main Street in Franklin directly behind the Shadowlawn Mansion.
“On March 1 of this year, my brother Blair ended his life and his battle with PTSD and depression,” organizer Chad Boutte said. “It’s only been after his sui-cide that I have become aware of this disorder and the devastating ef-fects it has on individu-als and family members.”
Boutte said that “near the end of my brother’s life, he invited me and my siblings to get to-gether weekly and begin to learn to play the guitar. Blair found great comfort and peace in music, and really enjoyed the time spent with his brothers. It was indeed an escape from the battle he was fighting, and a very special time for all of us
“After his passing, I discovered Guitars for Vets and thought it would be the perfect organization to team up with and to share that moment of peace through the power of music with others.”
FIFOLET Candle Makers is proud to part-ner with Guitars for Vets as an official guitar drop-off location. They will receive the guitars and assure they are delivered to the Guitars for Vets home base in WI.
“Acoustic” guitars can be dropped off at the shop located at 906 1/2 Main Street, directly behind the Shadowlawn mansion. We are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and rest on Mon-days.
Guitars for Vets, Inc. (G4V) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to enhance the lives of wounded Veter-ans by providing them with free 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.
In 2007 Patrick Nettesheim, a Milwau-kee-area guitar instruc-tor, was introduced to Vietnam Era Marine, Dan Van Buskirk. Dan wanted to play guitar, but felt that the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress (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 Vietnam 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 PAGE, as Patrick describes it. When these human qualities are in place, valuable learning begins. “The guitar is a catalyst for positive human interaction,” Patrick explains. “It is medita-tion in motion.”
After a few months in lessons, Dan suggested the two of them bring this modality to the Vet-erans at the VAMC 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 5,000 new guitars and 50,000 lessons to our Nation’s Veterans. More than 110 chapters have been established in over 40 states and 500 volunteers assure the mission is successful.
The primary focus is using the healing power of music to aid veterans. Whether we agree or disagree with the decision to go to war, one thing is for certain: These 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 emo-tional injuries and need support.
Guitars for Vets pro-vides 10 free private lessons to military Veterans; all qualifying Veterans are referred to the program by their VA case worker. Lessons, taught by one of more than 500 volunteer instructors are given primarily at VA facilities, and supply a loaner guitar and accessories. Individual lessons are sup-plemented by group ses-sions that offer an addi-tional forum for the Vets to talk and play music with like- minded individuals, many of whom have had the same experiences, emotions and traumas. These music sessions provide a communal atmosphere which fosters teamwork and camaraderie; in many cases, joy and inspiration returns to their lives.
Upon graduation, the Veteran is awarded a guitar, gig bag, picks, strap, tuner, stand, method book, capo and a certificate of completion. The testimonials throughout the website, www.guitarsforvets.org capture what it has meant to some of the Vets participating in the program.
For help and support with PTSD issues, please contact:
Get Help in Crisis - PTSD: National Center for PTSD (va.gov)
Or
Lifeline (suicidepre-ventionlifeline.org)