A Sweet Airdrop: Air Force Veteran Alden Reid Delivers Support Through Honey

Alden Reid’s service didn’t end when he left the U.S. Air Force.

After four years and six months of military service, including work with a Contingency Response Wing, Alden continued using his technical experience to support those who serve. His work designing communications capabilities for tactical environments carries the skills and sense of purpose he developed in uniform into the next chapter of his life.

In 2019, Alden found another place to serve: the bee yard.

What began with beekeeping grew into five years of involvement with Hives for Heroes. Alden has served as a Mentor, formerly led the organization’s efforts in Georgia as State Lead, and now continues that work as a Hives for Heroes Ambassador.

Through each role, he has helped build the connections at the heart of our mission: people sharing what they know, showing up for one another, and finding purpose through the hive. His story brings our core values, Connection, Purpose, Relationships, and Service, to life.

Today, Alden manages anywhere from five to thirty hives, depending on the season. Ask him his favorite part of working bees, and his answer is wonderfully specific: anything involving propolis.

For Alden, beekeeping and service share a common thread. The knowledge, experience, and gifts we are given become more meaningful when we use them for someone else.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
— 1 Peter 4:10

Alden’s story is a reminder that service can take many forms. Sometimes it looks like a uniform. Sometimes it looks like mentorship. And sometimes, it looks like standing beside a hive and passing what you’ve learned on to the next person.

Air Force Veteran. Beekeeper. Mentor. Ambassador.

A Local Hero whose service continues.

A Mission in Every Jar

You can help that mission continue by purchasing Local Heroes Honey.

Every jar supports two Heroes for one month, helping Hives for Heroes create opportunities for connection, purpose, relationships, and service through beekeeping.

Bring home real, raw, American honey—and help more Heroes find their next place to serve.

Meet Alden, explore his limited edition, and purchase honey that supports our Heroes.

One jar. Two Heroes. One month of support.