x
Breaking News
More () »

'Guitars For Vets' aims to heal PTSD struggles through music

'It's given me the chance to put something else in my mind.'

CLEVELAND — Throughout the halls of the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, you'll hear them. A group tuning up their instruments and playing the hits. 

It's a band not made up of your typical rock stars, though. Instead, this is a group of heroes. 

Bob Lenart is a Navy veteran, and one of the bands guitar players. For him, playing music isn't just a way of life but he says music saved his.

"I was totally lost," says Lenart. 

In his 20s, Lenart joined the Navy during the Vietnam War to serve his country and see the world. 

"That's exactly what happened," he said. "How many people can say that?"  

For a kid from Cleveland, it was a dream come true. 

"And I'm still here!"   

RELATED: Saluting true heroes: Quadruple amputee helps injured vets live by his motto of 'Never give up. Never quit.'

RELATED: Veterans Day 2019: Here's where to find deals, discounts, freebies

Lenart made it back from serving in Vietnam, but the harsh memories of war also came home with him. 

"I saw a buddy of mine get crushed. I tried to save him and I couldn't,"

Like many Veterans, Lenart struggles with PTSD. For years, those harsh memories consumed him and his life. 

"Some bad times," reflects Lenart. "Thinking about suicide and the drug problem I had." 

It wasn't until he was handed a guitar and was taught to play by the instructors from "Guitars For Vets" that he was finally able to get some relief from his internal struggles. 

"This (my guitar) has brought me back from some bad times."  

The program has provided him with peace of mind.

"It's given me the chance to put something else in my mind rather than just thinking about things over and over."

And it has given him a new band of brothers to lean on. 

Guitars For Vets is a nonprofit organization that teaches and gives guitars to Veterans. For more information on the Cleveland chapter head to their Facebook page or head to https://guitars4vets.org/.

Before You Leave, Check This Out