A local officer with a history of serving the community is now helping the healing process for people who are dealing with trauma.
Operation BeeStrong is a specialized wellness initiative for active and retired first responders, military personnel and other professionals.
They pair people with experienced beekeepers to learn their craft through focused and hands-on mentorship.
This year, they are also launching a comprehensive, free online beekeeping course.
I was very encouraged when I first read this story and talked to Jeremy Ashley about it, because the trauma experienced by our military service members and first responders is very real.
Every time I write a story about a fatal fire, or a serious medical incident, chain-reaction car crash, high-level drug bust or people who died in a remote natural area of the country, I immediately think of the people who are caught in the middle because it’s their job to deal with things that give people nightmares.
The trauma is real. They are exposed to heartbreaking scenes of injury and death, hopelessness and a side of the human experience that is not for the faint of heart.
Some will seek therapy, if it’s available, but for others there can now be healing through beekeeping, a positive and engrossing activity that connects us to nature and one of the insect world’s greatest miracles.
So, thanks to Jeremy and everyone at Operation BeeStrong, for helping connect people with a wholesome activity that hopefully takes the sting out of their harsh days on the job.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
