Finding Healing and Community: Richard J.’s Road Scholar Journey
In 2006, Richard J., a Vietnam veteran and amateur nature photographer, opened a Road Scholar catalog that would change his life. At the time, he was dealing with the weight of PTSD, a lasting impact from his time as a combat medic in Vietnam. But when he spotted a Road Scholar program to Utah's national parks, something clicked. "I’ve always been drawn to the Southwest,” Richard says. “I remember asking, ‘Do they go to Delicate Arch?’ That was my dream, and I had to see it for myself.”
Richard’s connection with nature had always been a lifeline, but this journey was different. Surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of Bryce Canyon and Zion, Richard found more than just stunning views — he found peace. “It was like being reborn,” he says. His experience with Road Scholar didn’t stop there. Over the next ten years, Richard participated in more than a dozen Road Scholar programs, from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone, each learning adventure offering its own unique form of solace and education.
For Richard, Road Scholar became a safe space — not just because of the breathtaking environments featured in his chosen programs, but because of the people he met. “Everyone was so warm and friendly. That’s what kept me coming back again and again.” His enthusiasm for Road Scholar runs deep, and he makes a point to tell his friends and fellow veterans about the healing power of exploration. “I have a Marine buddy from Vietnam, and I keep telling him, ‘Broaden your horizons. Don’t let our past define us.’”
Richard’s journey has been about more than healing from PTSD, however. His love of nature, combined with his passion for photography, has been a vital part of his growth. “Photography helps me process things. When I’m out there, whether it’s in a forest or by a river, I tell myself, ‘You’re going to be okay here.’ It’s therapy for me.” His photos have captured awe-inspiring moments — from the towering rock formations of Utah to the graceful descent of a red-tailed hawk near his home in Boston. He’s rightfully proud of this work and displays it prominently. “When people come over, they ask me where I got these photos. I tell them that I took them — and then I tell them all about Road Scholar,” he adds.
A fitting tribute to Richard’s experience, one of his proudest moments came in 2016, when he was featured on the cover of a Road Scholar catalog. “I couldn’t show enough people,” he laughs. That recognition wasn’t just about the honor — it was a celebration of his journey and the resilience he’s found through Road Scholar’s programs.
Looking ahead, Richard dreams of sharing the Road Scholar experience with his grandson, Donovan. At just seven years old, Donovan is already following in his grandfather’s footsteps, with a love for photography and the outdoors. “He told me he wants a big camera like mine,” Richard says. “I love that, and I can’t wait to take him and my daughter on one of the Family Adventures. It’s something I want him to experience — the beauty of nature, the joy of learning and the incredible community that Road Scholar has given me.”
His message to other veterans, and to anyone hesitating to take that first step, is simple: “Don’t let your past define you. There’s so much beauty out there, waiting to heal you, if you just give it a chance.”