MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — A Menomonee Falls veteran is finding peace through music after writing a song about his journey after war.
Mental health challenges and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are difficult realities many veterans experience after coming home from war.
U.S. Army veteran Jesse Frewerd has been very open about his struggles and healing journey.
“I’m very, very lucky to be where I am today,” Frewerd said.
While serving in Iraq, Frewerd said he and his team experienced many intense moments and close calls. He said they are all lucky to be alive.
“We were riding in our Humvee and an IED exploded right under us,” he said.
They all survived and made it home. But the silent wounds of war are always there for him. Over the years, he’s used music to help process the difficult memories and emotions.
Making music has always been a hobby of his. It wasn’t until after the war that he really dove in and spent time with his guitar and piano.
Recently, he got the opportunity to work with an organization called “CreatiVets.” It’s a nonprofit that empowers veterans to heal through arts and music. The group flew Frewerd to Nashville to work with professional songwriters and create a song about his story.
“It was really powerful,” he said. “They created this beautiful space for me to tell these difficult things that I have been through.”
His song is called “Soldier Coming Home.” He hopes it resonates with other veterans.
Frewerd said the experience of making music in this way has been therapeutic and has brought him to a place of love and joy he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to experience again. He said it has helped him become a better husband and father.
“Being here now, I am just so grateful to my wife, son and other family,” Frewerd said.