David W. Smith/Daily NewsPastor Rick Boyd, a volunteer chaplain at Greenview Hospital, ministered to Virginia Tech students in the wake of the shootings there.

The stacks of photographs gave an appearance of serenity – tulips blooming in the green grass, buildings standing majestically as they have for many years.

But a closer look reveals crime-scene tape, blood stains on the sidewalk, policemen guarding a building and forlorn-faced students reading makeshift memorials on the grass.

These are the scenes captured on camera April 18 by Greenview Regional Hospital volunteer chaplain Rick Boyd during a visit to Blacksburg, Va., home of Virginia Tech University, where 23-year-old Seung-Hui Cho gunned down 32 people before killing himself April 16.

&#8220The campus is beautiful with a lot of history. We were there for about three hours,” the Bowling Green native said, flipping through the photos. &#8220It’s impossible to imagine the chaos that had taken place just a few hours before that.”

Boyd, who has volunteered at Greenview for about nine months and is pastor of First General Baptist Church, said he wanted to go to Virginia Tech after hearing about the tragedy while working on his computer.

&#8220I was on MSN when I saw that one student had been killed,” he said.

Moments later, the death toll had risen to 20, Boyd said.

&#8220I went to the television and it really gripped me,” he said. &#8220I felt like I needed to be there.”

As more details became available about the story, Boyd said he became furious about the incidents of violence that are plaguing the nation.

&#8220When is it going to stop and is it going to keep spiraling out of control?” he asked. &#8220I couldn’t understand how America couldn’t stop what we’re doing and want to stop this. When are we going to say enough is enough?”

While in Greenview’s cafeteria having lunch, Boyd saw a television story about a Virginia Tech professor who had sacrificed

ficed his life holding a classroom door closed so that students could escape. It was then that Boyd went to talk to his supervisor, H2U, Volunteer and Wellness coordinator Kris Lowe, about going to Montgomery Regional Hospital, a hospital where shooting victims had been taken. Like Greenview, Montgomery Regional is a Hospital Corporation of America facility.

&#8220I wanted to drive over there and meet the chaplain,” he said. &#8220I wanted to tell him that we’re praying for them.”

Boyd and his wife, Mary, drove the seven hours to Blacksburg and made it there at midnight April 18.

&#8220There were media trucks everywhere,” he said. &#8220We had to drive 20 miles away before we could find a motel room.”

Their first stop once daylight came was Montgomery Regional, where they met the chaplain and gave him flowers they had brought. The chaplain knew a survivor who would appreciate them most, Boyd said.

&#8220I don’t know who it was, though I wish I did,” he said. &#8220I didn’t visit patients. I didn’t want to impose.”

The community was rallying around the survivors at the hospital, Boyd said.

&#8220There were all sorts of college students coming in and out wearing Virginia Tech shirts,” he said.

The Boyds then left Montgomery Regional and went to Virginia Tech.

&#8220There weren’t a lot of people there at first. There was a memorial near Burris Hall,” he said. &#8220Norris Hall (where many of the victims were killed) is to the right. You could see the crime scene tape was still up. Media and police cars were all over the place.”

The Boyds took a closer look at the memorials, some of which came from students from other schools. What they saw touched them deeply, Boyd said.

&#8220There were things the students had written that were so personal that it was difficult to read,” he said. &#8220They were telling their fellow students goodbye.”

The shootings were even taking a toll on the police officers. Boyd said he could see it on their faces.

&#8220One was standing at parade rest in front of Norris Hall,” he said. &#8220It wasn’t a proud military stance. He looked subdued.”

Boyd knows about life changes.

&#8220I was alcoholic as an adult. Then I was saved in 2000,” he said. &#8220My life changed dramatically. I said ‘Lord, if you help me through this, I’ll do whatever I can to serve you.’ He has fulfilled his promise, and I’m trying to fulfill mine.”

Boyd said he felt God was calling him to preach. He preached at Glendale Baptist Church for four years before becoming temporary pastor at First General. He became full-time pastor of the church about a year ago and takes online courses through Southern Christian University. Soon after becoming pastor, he began volunteering at Greenview.

&#8220I feel I’ve been blessed with a bedside manner. I find myself doing a lot of visiting,” he said. &#8220There’s a need for it. I had time.”

When Boyd volunteers, his first stop is often Greenview’s critical care unit.

&#8220I find out what’s going on and minister to the patients,” he said.

Next, Boyd visits the emergency room to let them know he’s available.

&#8220I see sudden injury or illness,” he said. &#8220When there is an accident, I ask if they want me to get in touch with their regular pastor.”

He also visits new patients.

&#8220When a new patient comes in, I go and visit and make sure they’re comfortable,” he said. &#8220I float around and go where the Lord leads me.”