When California native John Kerr was 19 years old, he was drafted to serve his country in the Vietnam War. Like many of the veterans from that era, Kerr experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and had difficulty reintegrating with civilian society. However, when Kerr was in Vietnam, he tried wine for the first time. While he was underage at the time, Kerr became a connoisseur of wine.
Upon his return to the U.S., Kerr pursued winemaking as a hobby to distract himself from the PTSD. The Lompoc Record reported that Kerr has worked as a winemaker for such wineries as Foley Estates Vineyard and Winery and Byron Winery in California. The Vietnam veteran decided to share his passion with other veterans. Kerr told the news source that veterans are often distrusting of civilians and other nonmilitary personnel, so he felt it was his duty as a veteran to help others like him.
That is why he created the John W. Kerr II Veteran's Scholarship for former servicemembers or their children who are interested in studying winemaking. Since its founding three years ago, the scholarship has given $3,000 to future winemakers. The scholarship is set up to continue even after Kerr passes away, but the veteran does not want any special recognition for his generosity.
"It's another way of giving back," he told The Lompoc Record.