Healing Music provides new confidence for a Veteran
"This time last year, I would never imagined that I would be able to perform in a room full of people."
For Navy Veteran Brent Tharp, life has come full circle. In 2010 he was involved in a horrible motorcycle accident. "That wreck started me down a dark path for a while" stated Brent. What finally got him back into the light was the Peer Support Group at his local VA Clinic. Getting into that program was a game changer for Brent.
While participating in the Peer Support Program, "I was able to come out of my shell." It is all due to my fellow Veterans and the Peer Support Staff. Sam Hoekstra is the group leader and helped Brent regain his confidence with social interaction and how to process what happened in the past. " I can't say enough about Sam, he is a great guy" claims Brent.
After hearing Brent mention interest in the Guitars for Veterans Therapy group, Sam enrolled Brent into the program. The program was an initial 8-week course that transitioned into a more advanced course. In between the initial program and the advanced program, Brent was set back with a neck operation. Not willing to lose his new motivation, Brent began to self-study and pick up where he left off. " I practice 2 hours a day" he stated.
During one of the Peer Support sessions, Sam overheard Brent state that he would like to play in front of a crowd someday. That is when Sam invited Brent to play the National Anthem at the Marion VA Vietnam 50th Commemoration Ceremony.
In a standing room only ceremony, Brent made his debut. He began to play the National Anthem, losing his notes from time to time and he could feel his nerves winding up. What happened next was awesome. The crowd sensing his nervousness, began to sing along with him as he played. " Hearing them sing along with me allowed me to gather myself and focus on finishing the song". As we jokingly said before the event, "It doesn't need to be Jimi Hendrix" and it wasn't. It was Brent Tharp, and it was perfect!
Following his performance, Brent thanked the crowd for their support. Medical Center Director Zack Sage after giving his keynote speech and mentioning Brent's performance, has offered for Brent to return to our Ceremony next year to play again. Brent has accepted and is looking forward to the opportunity.