Richard Sherman '89’s journey from Lehigh University to becoming a professional photographer culminated in the release of his powerful 2024 book, Never Home: Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned, a photographic tribute to the American soldiers who fought and died in the world wars and are interred abroad.
Sherman first became acquainted with Lehigh through his sister, Joyce Kelly '87. "Lehigh felt like home and offered me an opportunity to play on the baseball team," Sherman recalls. He graduated with a B.A. in economics and international relations, where he also met his future wife, Jennifer Herron '91.
After graduation, Sherman followed a path shaped by his family’s military legacy — his father, uncle, and godfather were all Navy veterans. Inspired by two roommates in ROTC, he enlisted in the Navy. Sherman went to Officer Candidate School and Naval intelligence training and served four years of active duty, including participation in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following his service, he worked at the Pentagon as a reservist while earning an MBA at Georgetown.
From Wall Street to the Lens
After his military service, Sherman worked for 16 years on Wall Street as an investment analyst. Despite his success in the corporate world, his passion for photography never faded. "I realized I wanted a change," Sherman admits, recognizing that photography had always been a calling waiting for the right time to emerge.
In 2011, Sherman founded Richard Sherman Photography, a certified veteran-owned small business. His work has since focused on capturing images for various clients, including several Veterans Administration medical centers. “I’m very proud to support the veteran mission,” Sherman says, noting how his photography journey has been intertwined with honoring veterans.
The Birth of Never Home
The idea for Never Home was sparked by a chance encounter in 2007 with a WWII veteran during a taxi ride in Vancouver. The veteran, a former Ukrainian soldier, shared a deeply moving story of gratitude toward American GIs who had fought alongside him during the war.
“He couldn’t understand why young American men would leave the safety of their homes to fight next to him in a foreign land,” Sherman recalls. The kindness and generosity shown by the American soldiers deeply impacted the veteran, and Sherman became determined to honor the sacrifices of these men. “That experience stayed with me,” Sherman explains. “It turned into the idea for Never Home.”
A Six-Year Journey of Reflection
With the guidance of renowned photography consultant Mary Virginia Swanson, Sherman embarked on a six-year journey to visit and photograph American military cemeteries across the globe. His travels took him to eight countries, where he documented the graves of soldiers who died in World War I and World War II.
Among the most poignant experiences was his visit to the Normandy American Cemetery in France for the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord. “Visiting Normandy was probably the most moving experience I’ve had,” Sherman reflects. “The gravitas of the D-Day survivors I met there was overwhelming.” The sense of history and sacrifice in these sacred spaces left a profound impact on him.
The Power of Photography to Honor the Fallen
Sherman’s photography serves as a powerful bridge between the past and present. "Photography is a great language for this," he says, recognizing that images evoke emotions that words often cannot. Through his lens, Sherman invites viewers to personally engage with history, transforming the headstones of fallen soldiers into symbols of individual stories — of valor, courage, and legacy.
In Never Home, Sherman’s photographs are paired with 54 biographies of soldiers, nurses, and others. These stories bring the soldiers to life, showing the personal cost of their sacrifices. "You realize the magnitude of not just the loss of individuals but the dashed hopes and dreams of their families," Sherman reflects. His work humanizes the soldiers, transforming them from abstract names and dates into real people whose stories deserve to be remembered.
A Personal Journey, a Collective Memory
The journey in Never Home begins with readers walking through the gates of military cemeteries, encountering rows of headstones that elicit a sense of honor and respect. Sherman’s photographs invite the viewer to walk alongside the soldiers, reflecting on their lives and sacrifices, while also encouraging deeper consideration of the families left behind, who often never knew the fate of their loved ones.
“There is a greater emotional weight when you realize the families never knew if their sons or daughters were alive or dead,” Sherman says.
A Lasting Legacy
Sherman stresses the importance of storytelling in preserving history. “I wanted to create a project that honors those who served, to make sure their sacrifices are remembered,” he says. Through Never Home, Sherman has succeeded in creating a visual narrative that ensures the legacy of these soldiers will live on. Their bravery, sacrifice, and humanity will never be forgotten.
Sherman’s work reminds us that honoring veterans is not just about remembering the past; it’s about understanding the personal and collective impact of their sacrifices. Never Home is a tribute not only to the soldiers but to the broader narrative of heroism and service that has shaped America. Through his lens, Sherman has immortalized the memory of those who gave everything.
