Guitar Heroes: Veterans Get Creative at Lake Worth Beach Arts Sanctuary
Free guitar, writing, improv classes offer stress relief for vets at Common Ground Community Development through November
WALTER MCBETH PICKED up the guitar later in life, long after his two tours in Vietnam, and only by chance.
At a company golf tournament 20 years ago, he won a Fender acoustic. He took it home, but never really used it.
“I had it at my house for 20-plus years. Finally I decided, you know what? I have to learn how to play this thing because I really like listening to the blues,’’ the 76-year-old retired bank manager said.
“I find music very therapeutic,’’ he said. “I’m a Vietnam Veteran. Served from 1969 to 1971. Music sort of takes me away from those memories.’’
While participating in an arts therapy program at the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, McBeth learned about guitar classes being offered in Lake Worth Beach as part of a new initiative designed to help veterans.
Every Wednesday, McBeth brings his acoustic to Common Ground Community Development, a nonprofit at 1201 S. Federal Highway, where he spends 90-minutes with other budding musician vets learning the basics from guitar instructor Carey Mason.
“It’s a good time,’’ McBeth said of the eight-week course. “You get to meet new people, and more than anything else I’m actually learning how to play this thing.’’
The guitar class is just one of three creative arts programs offered through the Arts for Veterans Initiative at Common Ground. Launched two months ago with a $25,000 grant from the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, the initiative also offers monthly creative writing workshops and acting/improv classes.
The goal is to create a welcoming space where veterans can explore creativity, build connections and find a bit of stress relief through the arts, said Kelly Olive, the nonprofit’s executive director.
“I just see so much need around Lake Worth Beach,’’ she said. “A lot of homeless are veterans and I have a lot of friends who are veterans. Music and art just can transform a mind. It can soothe you.’’
The programs will continue through November, with a fresh series of eight weekly guitar classes starting in July for 12 participants.
“It’s been really amazing to see these people bravely show up and step into the arts,’’ said Jeanette Brown, the non-profit’s creative curator, who teaches the writing class.
“And for me, it’s amazing to be able to give back to people who have given everything,’’ she said.
The improv classes include comedy and dramatic acting.
“It’s a great opportunity for self-expression,’’ said Laura Graham, one of two improv teachers. “There’s no script so you can express yourself and have fun making up characters. It’s a stress reducer because you end up laughing a lot.’’
Eight vets showed up for the first few weekly guitar classes in April. But because of their individual schedules, not everyone was able to commit to the full eight weeks.
Among the regulars are McBeth and two Navy veterans, Ralph Rodriguez of West Palm Beach and Deborah Quon of Lake Worth Beach.
“I had my guitar just hanging there on a wall and I didn’t know how to play it. So then when I heard there were lessons I thought why not try it,’’ said Quon.
“It’s good for veterans to get out of the house, not to isolate. Learning how to play guitar is a nice way to do it,’’ she said.
Guitar students can bring their own instrument or use a Common Ground loaner. Common Ground is collecting donated instruments with a goal of letting participants take a guitar home to keep after the eight-week session ends.
“It just takes you to another place,’’ Rodriguez said of the classes.
For Mason, teaching the class is an extension of his outreach work with veterans. Every year since 2014, his nonprofit Rockin’ Red White and Blues concert series has raised money for Friends of Fisher House in West Palm Beach.
The 2026 concert is June 20 from noon to 3 p.m at the Bamboo Room, 25 S. J St. in Lake Worth Beach. Tickets, not sold in advance, are $10 at the door. Mason plays guitar for Canvas, a classic rock cover band that will perform.
Watching his students learn something new each week at the Common Ground arts program has been rewarding, he said.
He uses a white board to draw chord patterns and help the students play songs such as “Horse With No Name” by America and “Times Like These” by Foo Fighters.
“Some just want to play for themselves, some want to play for others. They all have different goals,’’ Mason said.
“I think it’s therapeutic for them whether they know it or not,’’ he said. “And they all seem appreciative. They’re always thanking me.’’
In this short video, instructor Cary Mason guides veterans Deborah Quon, Ralph Rodriguez and Walter McBeth through chord changes in “Times Like These”:
The last guitar class is Wednesday, May 27. McBeth said he plans to sign up for the new series of weekly classes that start in July.
He wants to continue sharpening his skills, but don’t expect to see him perform on stage anytime soon.
“I’m not interested in playing in a band or in front of people,’’ he said. “I just want to be able to take out my guitar sit down at my house and play some songs for me.’’
For more information about the Arts for Veterans Initiative, click here.
Below are details of Mason’s benefit concert June 20 at The Bamboo Room:
