Steve Shaw In-Studio
Cottonwood Gunners for Vic4Vets Initiative
Fundraiser for "Got Your Six Support Dogs"
American Roots band Cottonwood Gunners in partnership with Affton MO venue 9 Mile Garden, are presenting their third annual veteran's benefit on Saturday, November 15 from noon to 4:00 pm. A fun day - in the wake of the Veteran's Day holiday - of music, drink specials, dogs, 50/50 raffles and more! 100% of all money raised will go to Got Your Six Support Dogs.
GOT YOUR SIX SERVICE DOGS TESTIMONIAL - PARKER NAHRGANG
As a part of Cottonwood Gunners veteran celebration, we honor our friend Parker Nahrgang
and his wonderful support dog Eddie. A corporal in the US Marine Corps, Parker was deployed
twice to Afghanistan – in 2012 and again in 2013. He was a part of the MWSS-273 (Marine
Wing Support Squadron) where he spent the majority of his time in the Forward Operating Base
(FOB) Edinburgh, Afghanistan. We have gotten to know Parker well and are not only amazed by
his bravery, but also his willingness to say "yes" to the service of our country along with his
humbleness. Eddie was a graduate of Got Your Six PTSD Support Dogs and never fails to
impress us as well – he is indeed on-watch at all times! It's this first-hand knowledge of the
profound difference that GY6 makes in veterans' lives that inspired us for this year's fund raise
Parker's first deployment occurred less than three months after his daughter was born. Two
years later during his second deployment, his son was born – but at least he was able to video
call for the birth. During Parker's two Afghanistan deployments, he was faced with countless
traumatic events that were nothing short of soul-crushing. Words can seldom describe what
leaving a safe and loving home for a combat zone is truly like. It's an internal struggle that many
veterans have faced overseas. In Parker's words, "Quite honestly, I don’t believe there are any
words in existence that could adequately describe the experiences we face overseas." But the
nature of war does not allow for the time to process or grieve. This Marine was able to make it
out on the other side okay, and he says, "I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt Got Your Six
PTSD Support Dogs gave me my life back."
After exiting the Marine Corps, the trauma Parker had been bottling up for years was very
evident. He became an emotionless shell of a man. Logically, he knew that he "loved" his family,
but all the emotions that he "should" have felt didn't exist. Heart-brokenly and simply put, he
didn’t care about his son, his daughter, or his wife. The emotional connection to them was
nonexistent - they seemed like complete strangers to him. This is the horrible reality to living
with PTSD. Add to that the PTSD symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, nightmares and so
much more including the inability to sleep with about 1-3 hours total a night and rarely longer
than 30-minute stints. In Parker's words, "Countless veterans have experienced the same
turmoil and suffering I have. Many of which still haven’t received the help they need.
Unfortunately, the VA leaves many of us behind... If it were not for the overwhelming generosity
of GY6 and those who support their efforts, my life and many others like mine, would be
completely different. I like to imagine our souls are like big puzzles, and PTSD destroys that
puzzle. But every person at GY6 selflessly takes their own pieces… pieces of their own heart
and soul… and gives them to these dogs, it's with those pieces I was finally able to start putting
mine back together. I cannot say it enough... Got Your six changed my life, the lives of many
others before me, and continue to change the lives of those who came after me. I will never be
able to repay GY6 for what they did for me. My hope is to inspire generosity in others so that
GY6 can continue their mission, saving lives for many years to come."
Speaking on from when after he came home from war and stuck in a terrible cycle of PTSD
symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, nightmares, and sleeplessness, "After a while, and
thanks to a persistent wife, I started seeking mental health help. But nothing ever fully worked
for me. Some medications would take the edge off my symptoms, but the struggles were still
there controlling every aspect of my life. At one point I was on 9 medications that barely
scratched the surface. One of the hardest things I had to hear was my doctor saying "Parker, I
am sorry... I honestly do not know what to do". I was devastated... I had been holding onto hope
that the suffering was temporary. But after years of holding on to that hope, trying countless
GOT YOUR SIX SERVICE DOGS TESTIMONIAL - PARKER NAHRGANG
medications, countless therapy sessions, countless doctors, and THEN to hear your doctor say
we're out of options…
Then, by what I can only describe as "an act of God" my wife encountered Got Your Six PTSD
Support Dogs. During this encounter they immediately welcomed her with open arms,
encouraging her, and began pursuing to helping me. GY6 informed me that it would likely be 1-2
years before they would have a dog ready for me. It takes time to train these dogs, and I just
needed to breath, and wait. But after about 5 or 6 months, once again, by what I can only call a
direct act of God, GY6 had more dogs pass their training than expected. That’s when I received
a call from Nicole Lanahan (founder of GY6), and she asked me if I was ready. I attended their
Service Animal training and therapy retreat for 10 days, which was the start of my life changing.
The people I met and built relationships with was unbelievable, these connections were
something I hadn't felt in years. I finally had a community of other veterans that were in the
exact same boat as me, it was a place of belonging. We were not alone anymore, GY6 was
holding us together, supporting us, and giving us a priceless gift. I want to help you understand
what these dogs like Eddie do…and what he did that first night. At some point in the night during
a nightmare he had crawled on me, nudging me, comforting me, he was sensing every time
there was a nightmare about to happen and he would wake me "just enough" to not fully wake
me, but stop the nightmare from happening, he stood watch, remaining vigilant throughout the
night protecting me.
Cottonwood Gunners
Uniquely Midwestern, American Grit
Cottonwood Gunners is a uniquely midwestern American roots ensemble from Saint
Louis, Missouri whose spirited and clever compositions are inspired by a remarkable
passion for their country and their state and whose members met in the blues bars of
Saint Louis’ historic Soulard district.
Portraying a fiery brand of songwriting that is reminiscent and influenced by the likes
of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, the Cottonwood Gunner unique
brand fuses Americana, Outlaw Country, and Electric Folk. Their rare songwriting
craftsmanship is highlighted by the brilliant fiddle and mandolin playing of Brian Elder
(Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and multi-instrumentalist Mark Hrabovsky (Mike Zito Band,
Wack-a-doo, Suave Octopus) blended with the catchy melody and rhythms of cousins
Steve Fowler’s bass (Still Free) and Steve Shaw’s guitar (Freeze the Hopper).
The Cottonwood Gunner musicality and lyrical content focus on family and life of the
Midwest and, combined with smart versions of classic American covers contributes to
unforgettable live shows of unquestionable excitement, sentiment, and fun. Their set
will make you want to dance, laugh, cry, salute Old Glory and pray to God!
All four members have been hailed in their own right as published songwriters to rave
reviews across the globe with a combined fourteen full length recordings and
countless tours through over 100 cities and towns in the Midwest and throughout the
world as part of USO tours. Driven by the patriotic lineage of veterans in their families
and love of country, family and the Great Midwest, don’t miss the opportunity to
experience Cottonwood Gunners!
Contact and Social Media
Phone/Hotline 314-226-9038
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cottonwoodgunners
Video: Cottonwood Gunners You Tube Channel
Music: Stream Cottonwood Gunners music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free
on SoundCloud
Epilogue
Cottonwood Gunners is proud of their patriotic lineage and salute all members of the
military and first responders. The band has contributed its time and efforts to benefit
Backstoppers, Fisher House, Got Your Six Support Dogs, Disabled American Veterans,
VFW Post 4223, Project Healing Waters, Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Louis Firefighter
Association, Mission Continues, Wounded Warriors and Vietnam Veterans of America.
To request an interview or support for your school or organization or to book the band,
Call 314-226-9038 or email [email protected]
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
