Vets Find Unity in the Rhythm of Music

LAS VEGAS ( FOX5 — Every week in Las Vegas, the influence of music unites military veterans, linking them through common emotions and memories.

A specific team gathers at The Space, located only a short distance from the Las Vegas Strip.

"There's a lot happening. I'm working on four or five different tasks with my hands," Chris Allen mentioned.

Nevertheless, the initial challenge ultimately results in contentment.

"Once your fingers start moving where they're supposed to, they already possess that muscle memory, so watching yourself progress from zero to achieving something is definitely an incredible experience," said Justin Silves.

The same feeling is evident among various military veterans who participate together in the Shoulder to Shoulder initiative.

A 10-week musical learning initiative is organized by Life By Music, a regional non-profit organization dedicated to engaging the community via music.

"Life By Music began as a slogan, similar to a hashtag that we used locally in Las Vegas," said Ryan Patrick Boylan, executive director of Life By Music.

We offer scholarships for music programs and young children who want to become better artists and pursue their musical goals. We also collaborate with veterans these days.

This marks just the third time they've collaborated with veterans, yet Boylan said to FOX 5 that it has quickly proven successful.

Not only due to the music, but also the connections that veterans such as Justin Silves are building with those nearby.

"These are compact groups, and every person present understands what you've experienced," Silves stated.

It's a location where everyone shares similar challenges as you, making it both a supportive community and an educational opportunity.

Chris Allen shares the same sentiment.

A 20-year member of the Air Force prefers being with others who have served in the military.

He views this group as a means to connect with individuals who are near him.

"Some of these veterans I've encountered before in earlier classes, so you develop those friendships and build a sense of community, which isn’t just about your friend who's 5,000 miles away and knows you. It's about other people as well," Allen explained.

Currently offering the classes just once per year, Boylan and Life By Music aim to organize additional Shoulder to Shoulder initiatives in the future and broaden their impact within the Las Vegas veterans' population.

"Occasionally, one becomes engrossed in daily living. All the events happening around, everything taking place globally," Boylan remarked.

When I'm taking part in the programs with our veterans and the sessions with our young people, I always feel, okay, I made a difference. We accomplished something positive, and it's effective.