The first guitar, called the ?Crown of Thorns,? will be shipped to Lt. Col. Rob Baker, chaplain for the Louisiana National Guard?s 256th Infantry Enhanced Separate Brigade based in Lafayette. The brigade mobilized May 9 to Fort Hood, Texas, for additional training before it heads to active duty in Iraq.

?That?s a fantastic gift,? Baker said. ?We can use it during religious services for a little sharing and fun time with each other.?

The effort, dubbed ?Operation: Music for the Troops,? is part of a national effort, ?Operation: Give,? started by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Paul ?Chief Wiggles? Holton, who recently returned from a year-long deployment in Iraq as an interrogator and debriefer.

Operation:Give distributes toys, school supplies and funds donated from the United States to schools, churches and villages throughout the war-torn country. The effort collected and distributed more than $100,000 in donations to date.

?While there, mortars are constantly coming in. All night long, you hear gunfire. People are dying all around you. It?s serious business,? Holton said. ?Servicemen and women are constantly looking for anything to be a diversion from where they are, to get their mind off the stress and remind them of the good times back home. Music is the best release.?

Ray Bozarth, owner of Glenwood Guitars and Music, created ?Operation: Music for the Troops? after a recent conversation with his son, Army Spc. Jeffrey Bozarth, who serves on the front lines in Iraq with the 308th Transportation Company.

?Many of the guys in my son?s company are guitar players who couldn?t bring their guitars with them,? Bozarth said. ?Especially with all the negativity going on here, those guys really need something to boost their spirits.?

Bozarth contacted CA Guitars Chief Executive Officer Barry Sallinger, who was more than happy to contribute.

?Knowing that the guitars will be used for worship and R&R time makes our small efforts that much more meaningful,? Sallinger said.

The Lafayette Daily Advertiser