Man starts Camp Hope for veterans

Two years ago, Bolivia resident Chris Neal was killed in Iraq. Now, his dad is honoring his son in a big way.

William White says his son was the best hunting partner a dad could ask for. So, in his honor, he started Camp Hope. Its a place for veterans to enjoy the great outdoors, and a place for William to remember his son.

It was not too long ago William White was out hunting with his son Chris Neal. A member of the Marine Corps, Chris was killed in Iraq in 2006, and William wanted to do something to keep his memory alive.

"We had a conversation a few weeks before it happened, and he did not want to come home maimed. So I figured after that conversation, this would probably be one of the things he would have done himself," said White.

William set up a camp where veterans could visit, go hunting, fishing, and just spend some time healing after war.

White said, "The environment they are in lets them enjoy and be able to actually do some good counseling, because not everyone can do it in a clinical environment."

In order to build the camp, William had to raise money. He started out hosting yard sales in his neighborhood, then his friends and family caught on to his vision and started chipping in.

Jim Bove is William's friend and a veteran himself. He hosted a golf tournament and raised almost $9,000 for Camp Hope. "I understand what they go through. Having a loss like that is very traumatic and I wanted to help out," said Bove.

William spends most of his time on the camp site, and when he isn't there, he is back home in Bolivia riding his customized Harley Davidson in the Patriot Guard with his son Chris riding right along side him.

William is looking to expand his camp to accommodate handicapped veterans. If you want to help, visit www.chrisnealfarm.com