A Letter from Esteban

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:36 pm

I received an e-mail today from Esteban, regarding my column this week. I thought I would include an excerpt of it here as it shows a touching and very sad story, as well as the fine character of Stephen Paul the man, and the sad and wide reach of this war on terror that we face every day.

Gary:

You ROCK brother! Thanks for all of your support...

..I make almost No Profit on these guitars. I do it to get children playing a good guitar for a great value, and the little money I do make, goes into all of the benefit concerts I do every year for kids' causes, schools and things like playing for the fallen soldier in San Diego last week. He ...won a lesson with me in a contest, and was killed in action before coming home to get it. Very sad.

So any help you can give is much appreciated...truly!

Kindest regards,
Esteban

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:39 pm

I read the article earlier today -- that is an awesome thing you and Esteban are doing.

Many kudos to you, brother.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:51 pm

Thanks David,

Compounding Esteban's tragedy is the fact that recently, I lost a former student from my school in Iraq. Not long ago, I stood by him at his casket.

I'm not ashamed to tell you, I cried when I got Esteban's e-mail.

He is a REAL guitar hero.

I have some expensive guitars, but his guitar just became my main instrument.