Gibson has partnered with Guitars For Vets to bring the power of music to returning U.S. military veterans. Gibson opened the doors of its Custom Shop in Nashville to debut a donation of 48 guitars and 19,000 string sets, as well as pledge their continued support to Guitars For Vets.
Guitars For Vets provides veterans with guitars and a forum to learn how to play which is in line with the new Gibson Gives mission. Gibson artist Sully Erna of the multi-platinum rock group Godsmack presented the gift to U.S. Veterans Henry Thomas, Pete Nugris, Brandon Branham and Patrick Nettesheim Co-Founder of Guitars For Vets.
“We have a problem in this country and it’s suicide amongst veterans,” explains Patrick Nettesheim, co-founder of Guitars For Vets. “When I started Guitars For Vets it was 18 suicides per day, it’s getting worse, but it’s my belief we’re making progress and we hear this through testimonials all the time, ’this guitar saved my life.’ It’s a great fit to be with the Gibson Foundation because they’re about supporting and creating musicians. With over 400 volunteers and 110 chapters in 43 states we show up to teach guitar and when vets graduate, they get a brand-new acoustic guitar.”
“It’s an honor to be a part of this presentation to our veterans here at the iconic Gibson Custom Shop,” says Sully Erna of Godsmack. “Thanks to our veterans and everything they have done for our country.”
“Gibson Gives is an opportunity to play it forward and this is what matters,” adds James “JC” Curleigh, president and CEO of Gibson. “We are pleased to join Guitars For Vets, when veterans come home, we should have solutions for them and we have solutions through music.”
