NASHVILLE — Richard Casper touches one of the boarded windows of a former church he aims to turn into a 24-hour arts center for veterans.
The U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who received a Purple Heart, says he was just inches away from military staff, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, when he learned that this church was once theirs—the very one he had just purchased but found had been vandalized.
Casper felt disheartened by the damage to the building and its stained glass, but what troubled him even more was that the church had been empty since 2017 without any issues. The vandalism happened shortly after CreatiVets acquired it, leading him to wonder if he and the veterans involved were truly wanted there.
“We were almost off,” Casper remarked. “It gave me a strange headache.”
At 40, a CNN Hero and winner of the Elevate Prize Foundation, he acknowledged the need for more support for the center, particularly as a refuge for those with PTSD. He shared that, like many veterans, his PTSD episodes often strike at night, leaving him with bars or other noisy spots as his only options.
His vision included a round-the-clock space where veterans could explore music, painting, sculpture, and theater—essentially “turning all pain into something beautiful.” This concept came about after Casper, who also has a traumatic brain injury from his service in Iraq, found solace in live music rather than facing the public alone.
So, that night, he set out to connect CreatiVets with new audiences in Washington. When he returned to Nashville, he renewed his commitment to helping hundreds of veterans since founding the nonprofit in 2013. He asked for assistance.
And help did arrive.
In just a few weeks, CreatiVets’ art director, Tim Brown, guided a group of volunteers in making new stained glass to replace what had been destroyed. Brown noted that the volunteers were eager to give back, not just out of obligation but also because of the positive impact these activities had on them.
Gary Sinise, the actor and philanthropist, recognized the power of art and had already pledged $1 million through his foundation to support CreatiVets in acquiring the building. His support motivated two other donors to finalize the purchase.
The “CSI: New York” star expressed his faith in what CreatiVets stands for, inspired by a similar initiative he had seen in Chicago that aimed to help veterans with their wartime experiences.
“In the military, you’re trained for serious work to protect the country,” Sinise explained. “And that often means suppressing emotions and appearing strong.”
While these skills are essential in combat, they can lead to significant challenges when veterans struggle to process their feelings after returning home.
“Many veterans don’t seek help,” Sinise added. “But expressing what they experience through art can be really beneficial.”
Retired Sergeant David Booth is a testament to how CreatiVets can make a difference. After serving 20 years in the U.S. Army, he wished he had joined earlier.
“For me, this was more valuable than any counseling I’ve had in the last year and a half,” Booth remarked. “It was quite therapeutic.”
After years of invitations, Booth finally joined CreatiVets’ songwriting program. Traveling from The Villages, Florida, to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, he collaborated with successful songwriters to express his story through music.
He shared about his service, including a traumatic incident in Iraq in 2006 when his vehicle hit an explosive device, leading to a long and painful recovery.
Booth recounted dark memories that continue to haunt him, like witnessing children being targeted while American soldiers tried to help them.
“I can’t shake those images,” he said, “How do I get them out?”
He also mentioned his desire to create a positive impact through his nonprofit, Combat Veterans to Careers, which inspired his song “What’s Next.”
He hopes his song will be available on streaming platforms, sharing his journey with others. Since 2020, CreatiVets has collaborated with Taylor Swift’s first label to release collections of veterans’ songs, with the latest compilation just launched.
After hearing his song, Booth remarked, “It felt like they grasped my emotions and translated them into lyrics.”
Sinise’s involvement with veterans grew deeper after his role as the wounded Lt. Dan in “Forrest Gump.” His bond with veterans and the community further solidified through his music with the Lt. Dan Band and the establishment of the Gary Sinise Foundation.
“It’s our collective responsibility to support those who defend us,” he stated. “We can do this through various nonprofits.”
When the idea of naming the new center’s performance space after his late son, Mac, emerged, Sinise felt it was a perfect match. Mac, a talented artist, had always been passionate about helping veterans.
Even after his passing, Mac continues to influence veteran support through his music releases. Gary Sinise feels a sense of connection with his son’s legacy as he works on recording more of Mac’s songs.
Despite the recent destruction, Casper remains hopeful, planning to transform broken stained glass pieces into new artworks reflecting Mac Sinise’s music.
“I told myself I’d try harder to keep Mac’s spirit alive,” Casper said while presenting Sinise with a stained glass piece inspired by Mac’s songs. Sinise, visibly moved, praised the beauty of the artwork and the significance of having a space dedicated to Mac’s legacy while supporting veterans.
