05/15/2026
I want to thank everyone- individuals and organizations- who have contributed to a dream that my daughter Shari and I have been passionately working to realize. For 14 years, our goal has been to support active duty members and veterans in becoming whole again by introducing them to farming and integrated behavioral health care.
Due to age, Parkinson' s disease, and a new direction, it is time for me to retire.
The origins of our program began with Gary in Vietnam. See Newsweek photo. After multiple tours in Vietnam and Laos, witnessing many of our Nation' s best killed or wounded, Gary' s mission became helping those suffering from both visible and invisible wounds, and honoring those who sacrificed everything. On a day in November 1967, when this picture was taken, I held a soldier' s hand as he took his last breath. He, along with many others who perished that day, and those I was wounded with, are beyond words of thanks. They are- and always will be- our Nation' s greatest treasures.
It was- and remains- a grand dream. Although we didn' t fully reach our original vision, there are still dedicated individuals working to build the SAVE and Valor Honey program. These remarkable, compassionate people care deeply. Too many to list here. To serve more than 3, 3000 people through our programs requires many selfless, committed, beautiful individuals and organizations working tirelessly together.
Some photos show the last class of 20 participants taught at Fort Riley over recent months. Being the first beekeeping and therapeutic program with on- site bee colonies on an Army installation is a significant achievement of the dream. Training Army counselors alongside the soldiers they serve is a major milestone that my daughter and I have prayed for since 2012.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported our dream to help our heroes recover and to honor those who sacrificed entirely. Every Thursday, I participate in a VA- sponsored group of combat veterans from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan seeking recovery.
There are thousands across our country longing for their sacrifices to be recognized. They all deserve our help and support beyond what is currently available. Please honor them by donating to or volunteering for organizations like SAVE or Valor Honey. As I retire, I pray that God blesses each of you. May God especially bless our service members and veterans!
Gary
