For decades, the young and old, skilled and novice have come to Salem Music Centre to learn flute, piano, drums and guitar.

Soon, thanks to Ray Cox, some of our Valley's bravest will become the newest class of students.

"About five or six months ago, I had a friend of ours who had completed the Guitars4Vets program that's in Canton come into our store and tell us about it," Cox says.

So he took it upon himself to meet the requirements to set up a chapter in Salem.
There are about 100 in 40 states.
Only a few are chosen each year out of hundreds of applicants.
Vets who join the program spend an hour a week for 10 weeks learning to read music, learn chord patterns, and even write their own songs.

"It's music therapy," Cox explains. "And what it amounts to is it's designed for veterans who have had mental and emotional and physical stress."

A half dozen or so veterans have already signed up for the Salem group.
Every one who completes the program will get a brand new guitar, a case, and all the accessories.

"We're very excited about it, we think it's something that's going to be beneficial for the veterans community around here," said Cox, a veteran himself.

For him, it's the gift of music in the truest sense.

The program is presented at no cost to veterans. If you're interested in signing up or learning more, contact 234-877-8683 or guitars4vets.org and go to the Canton chapter, which will forward your information to the Salem chapter.

The first class is scheduled for December 1.