Entertainment

Actor John Stamos Surprises Retired Marine And Family With Generous Gift

Katie Jerkovich Entertainment Reporter
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Actor John Stamos performed at a July 4 celebration in Washington, D.C. Tuesday night and afterwards donated his drum kit to a retired Marine and his family.

The 53-year-old actor hosted the PBS concert special titled “A Capital Fourth” that was broadcast from the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The star-studded show included performers like Kellie Pickler, The Four Tops, and The Beach Boys who Stamos later took the stage and worked the drums for, according to People magazine.

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Just for the show, Stamos showed off a brand new red, white and blue sparkly drum kit by Ludwig.

“Ludwig was the drum set I always dreamed of having as a kid,” Stamos explained. “[Jazz drummer] Buddy Rich was an inspiration to me and when I started playing. I wanted to be just like him, [and] he played Ludwig. I didn’t turn out to be Buddy Rich but I love having drums like him.”

After learning of all the military members and their families that would be in attendance, the actor decided to donate his almost new drum kit to Marine Corps Master Sergeant Mike Schneider and his family.

Schneider suffered two traumatic brain injuries during his time in the service in the mid-2000s and received treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in D.C. where he was involved in a music therapy program for it.

One of his four children, Owen — who suffers from neurofibromatosis and was told by doctors he would never be able to play the instrument — got behind the drums at “Family Day” at the center and impressed people.

His son not only has taken a liking to playing the drums, but even earned a spot in his middle school band. Not having his own kit, it’s fair to say he’s thrilled with the generous gift.