VFW’s Musician Award goes to Mary Archer

Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post 3413 and Auxiliary had the honor to be invited to Brookdale South Assisted Living, to honor and meet Mary Archer, winner of the Musician Award. 

During WWII, her husband served in the military and she would go to the hospital to visit the wounded. While there, she would start to play the piano and sing for them. At the time this was not something that was done as it is today. The doctors noticed that while she was doing her music, it had a calming effect on everyone around, especially the soldiers, and it seemed to make them forget for a while the things going on, even if it was for a moment or two. Today we call it music therapy. 

Archer is 94 years young and in San Marcos where she has been placed in hospice. It was very exciting to be part of the celebration and meeting her to watch her face light as she was given the award and hearing her still singing her songs and not miss a word. Her smile and laugh was contagious.