Meet Gary, a Veteran whose journey with Guitars for Vets transformed more than just his music skills. Battling fear, anxiety, and self-doubt, Gary found healing, connection, and even a new family rhythm through the power of music and community. This is his story.

“I had always wanted to learn the guitar, but was fearful that the interest was just another one of my passing fancies, or it would be another of life’s failures. But, how hard could it be? Look at the Beatles!

Anyway, I had been battling some depression, anxiety, and pompous syndrome for years. Fueled by alcohol this was a bad mix. I was seeking relief and found it in G4V! I heard about G4V through a newspaper article, and was made totally comfortable during an online application interview. My music instruction to that point consisted of 7th grade choir, so I was a raw slate coming into the program. The first lesson I was almost playing a song! Most importantly, practice quickly became like a zen period instead of a chore.

I now attend the weekly jams with my fellow vets, all spending time sharing thoughts and emotions as well as playing music and helping each other with technique. I cannot ever give back to G4V what I have been freely given; relief from fear, anxiety, and worry. But I try by promoting the program at events when asked, and just spreading the word. You see, there is no monetary value attached to a miracle, and that is what my guitar music has given me.

My cherished wife has also now taken up the guitar and attends G4V jams and events with me. I mention this because the family bond is important. We welcome all at our events. It is simply a wondrous program. There are absolutely no failures here, we are simply broken people trying to get better. Let us help you, too!”

-Gary Raster
Oak Harbor, WA