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Post by Frenchie on Aug 20, 2009 11:07:57 GMT 1
A veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder has recorded an album about the horrors and realities of war, and has pledged to donate some of the proceeds of album sales to the Legion. Ex-Para Gary Hart, 32, who saw service in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, left the Army in 2008 and has since been diagnosed with PTSD. He found that writing and singing songs about his experiences was a valuable form of therapy for him, and he sold off his war medals so that he could afford to record his songs. “If I had time to eat during my deployments, I had time to write lyrics, songs and poems,” Mr Hart said. “I’ve got every intention of buying my war medals back, but the way I see it, it’s more important to get the message out about our troops.” Described as ‘war veteran blues,’ and ’pro-forces’ rock, Mr Hart said that his songs were written with a view to improving the public’s opinion of the military, as well as criticising Government officials for ‘not looking after the lads as they should be’.
“My thoughts are always with the families of the fallen,” he said. “It makes me so sad when ministers do not attend repatriation ceremonies. Where’s the respect for soldiers’ sacrifices?”
Mr Hart, who is represented by music label Shameless Talent, will donate the proceeds of his debut album between several service and ex-service charities, including The Royal British Legion. Crediting the Legion for its welfare work, Mr Hart said: “The Legion helped me to rehabilitate after leaving the forces. It’s a fantastic organisation and very worthy.”
Source: Legion Connect
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