Washington County Veterans Services, in coordination and partnership with volunteers from the Hartford and West Bend American Legion Posts, Sons of the American Legion, and the West Bend Music Academy, has launched the West Bend Chapter of Guitars for Vets!

Guitars for Vets (G4V) started in Milwaukee and is now a national organization with over 200 chapters.  The program aspires to help Veterans, by providing 10 free guitar lessons and after graduation, a new guitar to continue their musical journey.  G4V covers all the costs for this program and all participants, including instructors, are volunteers.

“I am so proud to participate in this program,” commented Kurt Rusch, Washington County Veterans Service Officer.  “Opportunities like these are crucial for Veterans struggling from their service and in need of a positive and creative outlet.”

The West Bend Chapter currently has two instructors and a capacity of 4 students at a time.  “There will be a waiting list,” said Rusch, “but that’s ok, over time we will get more instructors on board, it will be worth the wait.”

County Executive Josh Schoemann said, “Washington County believes that the citizens who live, work, and play here deserve the best care and resources we can provide.  Between our Veteran focused mental health initiatives and positive community organizations such as Guitars for Vets, we are truly living up to our core values of compassion, collaboration, and innovation.”

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering as an instructor or participating as a student or committee member, please have them contact [email protected].

For more information visit: https://guitars4vets.org/