Many of you have been aware of the instrument, 'Guitar of Life' (link), that I was building with the Cub Scouts of Pack 525 from Sebastian, FL. The 'Guitar of Life' has been completed and was presented to Casey Morris of 'Guitars for Life' at the 20th Anniversary Conference of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society in Nashville (photo). During the handoff, Casey present me with a GFL T-shirt that had been signed by many of the guitarists and supporters in attendance. I will get the t-shirt mounted and present it to the scouts.

Rich Mermer handing over the 'Guitar Of Life' to Casey Morris of Guitars For Life.

I'm pleased to be involved in a very special project with Guitars For Life, Stewart McDonald Guitar Supply, and the Boy Scouts of America. 'Guitars For Life' (www.guitarsforlife.org) is a charity that raises money for kids with some very rare terminal illnesses. I am currently assisting the Cub Scouts from Pack 525 (Sebastian, Florida), in building a guitar that will be donated to Guitars For Life and auctioned off to raise money for kids in need. Special thanks to Steward McDonald Guitar Supply, who has graciously donated an Indian Rosewood D-28 kit. The scouts are really enjoying themselves (they just love spreading glue with their little fingers) and feeling good about what they are doing. Attached are a few photos and we hope to have a link to a site to keep you all posted on the instruments progress. Anticipated delivery is the fall of 2004. We'll let you know when the auction is planned.