The Power of Music: How a Guitar Helped Heal a Hero

Guitars for Vets helps to heal wounds from the past through the power of music

A Marine finds hope, healing, and purpose through the strum of six strings

Guitar Helped Heal a Hero

Muddy Boyle doesn’t just play guitar—he plays with purpose.

“When I saw the tag that says all proceeds go to ‘Guitars for Vets’, I knew I had to have it,” he said.

The shiny chrome guitar he bought wasn’t just a cool instrument. For Muddy, it’s a symbol of survival and strength.

After nearly 10 years serving as an aircraft crew chief in the Marines, Boyle returned home to Dekalb carrying more than his uniform. He was struggling with severe PTSD.

“In 2015, I decided I didn’t want to be alive any longer,” he said.

Thankfully, his story didn’t end there. A fellow Marine encouraged him to get help—and that help came through a very unexpected source: music.

While recovering at Hines VA Hospital, Boyle discovered Guitars for Vets, a program that gives free guitar lessons to veterans. Those who complete the 10 lessons get their own guitar to keep.

One of the volunteer instructors, Bernie Kamph, also knows the power of music.

“Having a guitar to play in our bunker ended up being our savior. It just brought a lot of peace and happiness,” Kamph said.

Kamph became a mentor to Boyle, helping him use music to heal.

“I feel like a proud papa,” he said. “Seriously, it is one of the most rewarding things to help these vets find a path to healing through music. Plus we know it works!”

And it really does. A study showed veterans in the Guitars for Vets program saw a 21% improvement in PTSD symptoms and nearly 30% less depression.

“It’s indescribable for people like me to tell you what it feels like to be able to play a clean chord. It’s been life changing,” Boyle said.

Boyle recently visited Midlothian Music, the shop that had donated over 60 guitars to the hospital program. He bought a guitar with a special red tag that supports Guitars for Vets.

“It’s my way of giving back to the music shop that has done so much for vets like me,” he said.

John Lekavich, the store’s owner, explained why they help:

“My father was a veteran. It made perfect sense for us to use our shop to help give back and thank these guys for the years spent defending our country,” he said. “We give them a guitar, a tuner, a case and anything else they need as our thank you.”

For Muddy Boyle, the guitar isn’t just wood and strings.

“To me it’s no longer, just a guitar,” Boyle said. “This piece of wood and steel has changed my life.”

I think this story is amazing because it shows that healing can come from something as simple as learning to play music. Muddy Boyle turned something painful into something powerful. It also shows how one person—or one guitar—can make a big difference. Music isn’t just sound, it can be a lifeline.

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