June 30, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

The Miracle of Music: West Los Angeles VA seeks a piano

The VA has a music program for veterans, but it is in need of a piano that they can play.
The VA has a music program for veterans, but it is in need of a piano that they can play.

By Barbara Lewis

For hundreds of thousands of U.S. veterans, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) in West Los Angeles is a lighthouse for care, compassion, and medical services.

Wartime vets have special needs spawned by the cruelty that battles inflict, both physically and emotionally. Oftentimes, vets enter the VAGLAHS facilities agitated, anxious and worried.

Research reflects that music can temper that outlook, and the VAGLAHS has embraced the concept.
“Music means so much to our residents,” explained Lisa Grace, Nurse and Clinical Nurse Educator. “They really enjoy music.”

Grace added that music gives the vets a break from their problems.

“With music they are at peace and happy,” she said.

This is so much so that Certified Nursing Assistant Debra McCoy proposed a music pleasure program two to three days a week for interested vets. She described the reason why she requested the program.

“Vets deal with anxiety and pain, and music takes their mind off the pain and relaxes them,” McCoy said.

Vets suggest a musician, many of whom have served in the military.

McCoy downloads background about the musician to read to the group while the artist’s music plays.

A lively discussion ensues about the artists, memories inspired by the songs and the songs’ era. The musicians span a wide range of music genres. Some recent artists have included Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, Randy Travis, Olivia Newton-John, Tori Amos, and Santana, among others.

Missing in the music pleasure program is a piano.

“Some of the vets are musicians, some have played for a living and others have met the artists,” said McCoy, who is asked by vets if she can find a piano that they can play. The VAGLAHS would relish a player piano, so music can play when there isn’t a musician at the keyboards.

If you can help VAGLAHS bring the miracle of music to veterans through donations to the VAGLAHS, contact the Voluntary Services Department at 310.268.4350 or visit www.losangeles.va.gov/giving.

Related Posts

Historic Sawtelle Nursery Site Could Become 40-Unit Townhome Complex

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Sawtelle Continues to Change as Nursery Site Faces Redevelopment Plans have been submitted to redevelop a nursery site, F.K. Nursery,...

California Judge Rules FAIR Plan’s Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Court Says Wildfire Insurance Program Illegally Denied Claims Legal protections for California homeowners took a step forward this week after...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Overdose Deaths Drop 22% in Los Angeles County, Marking Largest Decline on Record

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Fentanyl Fatalities Fell 37% as County Ramps up Funding for Prevention, Treatment Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County declined...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Robbery Suspects Captured in Beverly Hills After License Plate Alert Triggers Pursuit

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Foot Chase Ends in Arrests After ALPR Flags Robbery Vehicle in Beverly Hills An alert from the Beverly Hills Police...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...

Café UCLA Pops Up in Westwood to Honor Arthur Ashe’s Historic Wimbledon Win

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Three-Day Celebration Includes Giveaways in Tribute to the Iconic Athlete and Activist UCLA will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Arthur...

Captain America Hits the Skirball Big Screen for Heroic Outdoor Movie Night

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Museum-Goers Can Also Catch a Superhero-Themed Drawing Session The Skirball Cultural Center will host an outdoor screening of Captain America:...

Demolition Underway at Beverly Grove Squatter Site After Mystery Fire Renews Safety Fears

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Crews Begin Tearing Down Long-Vacant Apartments on First and Flores  Demolition has begun at a group of long-abandoned apartment buildings...