Community Corner
Give a Vet the Gift of Music
Six Strings for Soldiers — a new music therapy program at Connecticut VA Healthcare System's PTSD Clinic — will give returning combat veterans a chance to discover or reconnect with music.
Your old guitar could make all the difference for a veteran just returning home from war. Connecticut VA Healthcare System’s PTSD Clinic is launching a new music therapy program — Six Strings for Soldiers — and is currently collecting guitars for participants.
“Music therapy started in the VA system in the 1950s after World War II,” Bobbi Blake, music therapist at Connecticut VA Healthcare System’s PTSD Clinic said. “It’s very difficult to transition home from a war zone. Music can provide some comfort and relaxation. Learning an instrument can help with focus and help express feelings.”
The program will begin with veterans just returning home. Veterans will be loaned a guitar and be able to meet with Blake to learn to play. Once they have mastered the basics, they will be able to keep their guitar. Blake already sees the impact a musical instrument can have for veterans in the PTSD clinic.
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“When they bring in their guitar, it’s like having a dog, you walk down the hall and people ask, “Do you play? What kind of music do you play?” There’s a tendency to isolate when you return home, things don’t seem the same, having an instrument provides a connection to yourself and a way to connect with others,” Blake said.
Stamford is leading the charge to collect guitars. has already collected three guitars for the program and through a relationship with are providing the program with additional support
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Not only is Giuliano's Music Center collecting guitars for Six Strings for Soldiers, they’re servicing all donated guitars to make sure they’re in great condition to go to vets. Giuliano’s Music Center will also offer a 20% discount on all guitars purchased for the program.
“That’s so important. Sometimes you’ll get a guitar and it has old strings, for the store to offer that is such a blessing,” Blake said. “That the guitar they’re getting is all set up, that’s a great way to start.”
Blake is currently reaching out to veterans to start the first run of Six Strings for Soldiers.
“From working with Vietnam vets, I know how important music is to them. I heard so often “I used to play before Vietnam, but then I didn’t want to play anymore.” Blake said. "This is getting them reconnected with their music.”
