The Porch Discusses Program Using Music To Help Veterans

Organizers in Oklahoma are using their resources as part of a program dedicated to providing relief to veterans through the healing power of music and community.

The Coca Cole Southwest Beverages Porch is joined by members of the Oklahoma Opry and the Guitars for Vets as they discuss their efforts helping veterans in our community.

Oklahoma Opry executive director Cindy Scarberry and Guitars for Vets coordinator Bob Coyne said the program is dedicated to assisting veterans.

"We want veterans to know, and people that are loved ones of veterans, to know that there is a program for them," Scarberry said. "We provide free guitar lessons, and when they complete the 10-to-12 week program, then the national Guitars for Vets program will send them a brand new guitar."

Scarberry said the impact of the program affects both veterans and instructors alike.

"Bob has really taken the program, and is now our coordinator, and has just really made it grow to be one of the biggest in the nation," Scarberry said.

Coyne said playing the guitar offers veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression a chance to focus on something else.

"When you're holding the guitar, you're really just kind of thinking about just that guitar," Coyne said. "You can get your mind off everything else, and it's really a good way to just unplug and really let yourself go."

Scarberry said they are on track to meet their goal of serving 100 veterans a year, but in addition to Guitars for Vets, they also work with several other programs.

"Not only do we have this wonderful program for veterans, but we also have a school for kids who come from low-income families," Scarberry said. "They can take music lessons for 50 cents a lesson, and they can also find out more about our [Oklahoma State Capitol] campaign to finally, after all these years, get all of our programs under one roof right there on the Bricktown Canal."

Scarberry and Coyne said they hope people will come see their shows at the Oklahoma Opry every Saturday night every at 7 p.m.