Healing Chords – Music is a Calm Harbor for Navy Veteran
Last month, Navy Veteran Gene Stewart was one of 56 Veterans to submit a combined 93 entries in the 2023 Veterans creative arts competition, held annually at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
“I was attracted to VA’s competition because I felt like if I entered a song, it might actually get listened to,” said Stewart who served from 1975 to 1981 as a data systems technician.
The competition includes categories in the visual arts division that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are categories in writing as well as the performing arts of dance, drama, and music.
Stewart won first place in the vocal-military experience category for a song titled ‘Freedom’s Fire’, which honors America’s fallen troops.
“I think what impressed me the most was a documentary I saw on Normandy (D-Day),” said Stewart who is 67 years old. “Young men were willing to go into that environment and many never came home. The reason they fought is so we can live in a country free of oppression.”
His song, which you can view here on YouTube, can be applied to every generation of Americans who have fallen on the battlefield.
“Freedom’s Fire is worth fighting for and we need to keep it alive,” he said. “When you listen to the song, I hope you think about the sacrifices people have made so we can be free. That was the goal.”
Art as Therapy
Many years ago, VA recognized the healing powers of art and has organized a National Veterans Creative Arts Festival for the last 47 years. Top winners at local competitions, compete against other Veterans in a national competition. Select first place winners are then invited to attend the annual festival.
“Our annual creative arts competition gives Veterans a platform to display or perform their creative art works,” said Sheryl Corbit, the Houston VA creative arts coordinator. “But much more than, Creative arts can help Veterans deal with their trauma, depression and other emotions. The creative process of art making helps one find a method to express and resolve these issues while providing enjoyment.”
For Stewart, music is a safe harbor in the rough seas of life. In 2018, he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at Houston VA, and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Not yet officially cancer free, VA doctors continue to closely monitor him.
“VA actually found it during a normal physical before I was even having any problems,” he said. “I don’t know how I could have been in a better place or had better care.”
During his recovery as an inpatient, doctors encouraged Stewart to play the guitar in his inpatient room which was a great source of comfort.
“Not only was it therapy for me, but I was able to share it with the nurses and other Veterans around me,” he said. “I went around and visited other people on the floor.”
Before his fight with cancer, music was also a form of stress relief.
“When I began the journey of being a song writer, I was knee deep in a professional career as a computer systems service engineer,” said Stewart, who has written hundreds of songs. “I accumulated several songs that were inspired by stressful situations at work. Music for me is a relief valve for stresses that accumulate.”
No matter the reason, music is an art form Stewart shares with the world.
“I have made a couple trips to Nashville to sing at a couple of events,” he said. “I go to a lot of open mics in the Houston area. I go to outdoor events like Farmer’s markets. I enjoy going out and sharing my music when I can.”