“Music touches the heart and soul like nothing else in this world, and the ability to play and create music is a healing force unlike any other,” says Guitars for Vets graduate Travis.

This month the National Home celebrates the first “graduating class” of the Guitars for Vets program.  

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to play guitar, and I’ve never had the resources to do that before this program. I think the best thing about this program is that they provide you with everything you need to learn guitar,” Travis remarked.

Travis and his fellow Army veteran James completed their 10-week lessons culminating in a small private recital where they demonstrated a knowledge of the guitar components, tuning, note and string recognition, and chord memorization. Finally, they performed a song they had chosen on week three of the program. Travis chose Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clear Water Revival, and James chose The Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe in 1861. 

Both have accomplished so much in the ten weeks of lessons, but more importantly, they learned a love for music and the guitar.