Volunteers help veterans find purpose through beekeeping program.

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging for many veterans, but numerous volunteers across the country are assisting them through beekeeping. For Coast Guard veteran Cheri Ben-Iesau, the structured environment of a beehive resonates with her military experience. “After retiring, I focused on gardening, which I love, and eventually added bees to my garden, leading to 14 hives,” she shared. With 25 years of military service behind her, Ben-Iesau now manages a farm and apiary, where beekeeping is just one aspect of her life. “If you enjoy this, it feels like play every day. I wake up eager for what’s next,” she noted.