TriWest gives tunes to the troops

My cousin works for this company, TriWest!

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TriWest gives tunes to the troops

A couple hundred thousand copies of a new CD from Phoenix-based TriWest Healthcare Alliance (featuring such artists as Billy Joel, The Fray and Melissa Etheridge) left a Valley warehouse today to be shipped around the world.

No, the company is not jumping into the music business.

It and other organizations like Sony and the Recording Industry Association of America have partnered with John Ondrasik, singer of the band Five for Fighting, to release a new compilation of songs exclusively for service-members and their families.

TriWest, which administers the healthcare plan for 2.9 million members, is providing 200,000 copies of “For the Troops” to be distributed at Ondrasik's USO co-sponsored concert series, military bases around the globe and other outlets.

“Music can be uplifting and morale-boosting and we wanted to be part of those types of programs that show the troops that we care, that we're thinking of them, that we honor their service and sacrifice,” spokeswoman Elizabeth Perrine said.

Starting on Nov. 17, military members and veterans (with a valid ID number) were able download the CD from the Army & Air Force Exchange Service website.

Ondrasik has said music has a positive impact on mental health.

And every bit — even a CD — could help.

While a majority of men and women who've fought in Iraq and Afghanistan have adjusted smoothly back into civilian life after combat, researchers are concerned about the growing percentage who have troubles that range from depression to substance abuse problems to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or severe brain injuries.

Those problems can pose an equally tough ripple effect on family members and friends.

More information? www.fiveforfighting.com or www.uso.org