Hi my name is Eric Haynes. I am a singer/songwriter who has recently went on the NBC network series America's Got Talent #AGTSeason14 airing soon. I am a US Army Iraq War Veteran who served almost 12 years active duty with a year tour in Iraq from 2005-2006. I was medically discharged in 2007. After a huge struggle with my PTSD from my military service almost caused me to take my own life on more than one occasion, and a lost marriage of almost 24 years also, I know what it is to struggle and survive. In fact, I know it so well Wounded Warrior Project did and article on Ciara and I about it you can access on their website woundedwarriorproject.org I have two beautiful daughters I am very proud of. I enjoy sporting events live, and meeting so many of the athletes. I find a great correlation between sports and music as I grew up playing sports and the two were my ways to my own world, where I could be myself, and do what I loved and do it well. They were ways I could express myself in these areas like I was never able to in life any other way. I grew up listening to such greats as Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, George Strait, Reba, Garth and so many more. Groups like Sawyer Brown, Diamond Rio, and Alabama. I wrote my first song at 16 years old and have written poetry as a young child. Through my music, Wounded Warrior Project and some amazing family and friends that has turned around and now, my Service Dog Ciara and I are taking past hurts of our own to reach out to our community to give back, not only to our great Veterans, but anyone that is searching, letting them know they are not alone in their struggle. I had the opportunity to work with Louisa Branscomb a Bluegrass Legend Hall of Famer at her Woodsong Retreat in Georgia this last year. She was kind enough to invite me and although she is splendid at what she does musically in every way, it’s her friendship and that of the so many that I have made on this journey that has been something I could never exchange for any amount of money. I’m happy to announce I will be debuting my new song I wrote in November 2017, 11 years after coming back from Iraq. This song was my coming home song, which allowed me to finally come back from Iraq in my mind. Sadly, I am not an exception to these awful demons from war and my 11 years may be a very short time, for so many of our brave men and women Veterans from all generations of wars for decades suffer this same thing. I served as a Chaplain for 9 Months in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania VA Hospital System and saw it way to often, and I hope that my song can be a relief to others as it was for me as I wrote it and now sing for all to hear and gain encouragement also. For these reasons and so many others I have a love for our great nation and it’s great heroes that protect it continually. All the money raised at this concert will be donated to “Clear Path For Veterans”. This is an organization in Upstate, NY that majors in connecting serve dogs with Our Great Heroes both Veterans and Active Duty alike at no cost to them or their families. They also have many other services such as a “Canteen” twice a week, both Wednesdays and Saturdays where they serve a full meal free again to any Veteran and their families. They have woodcarving classes, massages and so much more all at no cost to the men and women of our great nation, and for this I am grateful for them and all they do. I would like to say a thank you for the growing support of Ciara and I in our community, since our America’s Got Talent audition in NYC back in November and the love that you have shown us. A special thank you goes out to “Mitchells Western Store” where I purchased all of my wardrobe for, and they have posted us on their Facebook web site also. “The Center” in Auburn, NY has been gracious enough to host us for our concert. They have been an intricate part in our recovery as I get my acupuncture, and massage therapy done there also. I want to say a huge Thank You to Mary Anne. Also, to Mark, Jennifer, Jolene, Nikki and all the rest of staff that keep The Center running every day.