By J.D. O’Gara

Thanks to an idea sparked by Franklin’s Board of Health Director, Cathleen Liberty, Franklin veterans will soon be able to take advantage of a program aimed at improving their mental health as well as their musical abilities. Liberty was inspired to initiate the program from a national program, Guitars 4 Vets. She approached the Franklin Veterans Services office with the idea, and “Tune It Out,” a program that will provide free guitar lessons to local veterans, was launched.

“There’s a lot of mental health issues stemming from the pandemic, and you know, veterans deal with their own mental health issues,” says Liberty. “I was watching a program on television about Guitars 4 Vets, and it has really helped many veterans suffering from PTSD.”  Liberty explains that the national program, which was created in 1997, is extremely vetted and only for vets diagnosed with PTSD, but Franklin’s “Tune It Out” program will be open to all town veterans.

“Music is therapy for all kinds of health issues,” says Liberty, who created the program outline with the help of her intern, Jade Fourcade and, locally well-known musician Jamie Barrett has volunteered as an instructor. “Even if someone’s not feeing the distress of the pandemic or the stress of what other vets have been through, they may have another chronic condition they could help with music.”

The local program will be seeking donations of used guitars in working condition, as well as monetary donations to help with the purchase of guitars to use.

“We’re hoping we can get funding for at least 10 guitars,” says Debra Martin, of the Veterans Services Office, who noted that a few veterans had expressed interest in learning the instrument and participating in the program, which will, tentatively, take place at the Franklin Senior Center. 

To begin with, “Tune It Out” will be open to Franklin veterans, until organizers gauge how much interest there is. 

“I don’t expect there to be 50 people, but I know there are going to be a few,” says Dale Kurtz, outgoing Franklin Veterans Services Officer, who in early July had already received a monetary donation toward the effort. “Let’s get it started and let it grow. We’re going to be open to any (Franklin) vet who wants to take advantage of it. Most of the people I’ve talked to, I think it’s going to be great for them.”

To reach the Franklin Veterans Services office, call (508) 613-1315.