GREENVILLE, Texas — Several years ago, David Thompson had plans to buy a beach house, get himself a late mid-life crisis Porsche, and enjoy a peaceful retirement.
Instead, on the outskirts of Greenville, he has 50 acres of ranch land, a rusty military-issue Hummer, a partially-completed meeting house, and a commitment to helping fellow veterans.
"Two months ago there was nothing but dirt right here," Thompson said. "This is how far, how quick we have gotten."
Thompson, a former combat photojournalist, used to hold events for veterans at the Willow Branch Motocross Park in Lindale. But after a gathering of veterans there, a family contacted him to say thanks. A woman had found her husband's suicide note. The gathering of veterans had changed his mind and she wanted to donate to whatever organization Thompson was running. That's the day Thompson says his desires for a fancy car and that beach house disappeared and the idea for Veterans Outpost was born: a place in the country where veterans can roam on four-wheelers, or on horseback, or gather in a massive meeting hall to support and counsel each other.
"They can bring their whole family out and they can grow and heal together," said Thompson.
"It made a major difference in our marriage," said his wife Wendy of the help they received with Thompson's own PTSD. "I'm hoping it will help them as well with their marriages, family, work, everything they've got to do in their lives."
"It's tranquil and peaceful," said veteran Frank Sarrat, a retired U.S. Army Captain and member of the Veterans Outpost team. "It's just me and the good Lord. We just get to be out here and think, just be with our thoughts."
"We want to show them that we care for them, that there is a way out. You can turn the corner. That I've done it and you can do it to," said Jason Morgan. a former Air Force special ops member who was critically injured during a counter narcotics mission in South American in 1999.
A vehicle rolled over and broke Morgan's back. He's been a paraplegic ever since. And although he found a way to carry on, raise three boys on his own, and compete in Paralympic events, he says the other men with him that day 25 years ago did not fare as well.
"One was also a paraplegic but both ended up taking their own life," he said. "But when I wake up I have hope, something I didn't have before. And purpose. I feel like I have a mission again. And I'm needed on the front line."
There is still a lot of work left to do on the 50-acre property. Thompson said he envisions a place where veterans and their families can hike and bike and benefit from equine therapy. A meeting hall, currently under construction with the help of contractor Ellis Bentley, will provide space for events and counseling.
"This is what I do," said Bentley. "It's second-nature to me. And I just wanted to find some way to give something back. And this is the only way I knew to do it, so far as really tangible anyway. I figured this would just be a great way to give it back."
And giving back to veterans is what this place is all about: where the Jason Morgans of the world can find what they're looking for.
"These veterans deserve it, any help that they can get. They deserve it. And we want to give it to them. And we will," said Morgan. "We will offer hope here and we'll offer a journey to a better life."
"It's what they need. It's what we all need," added Sarrat.
"Hopefully this will way outlive me," said Thompson. "It'll still be helping veterans long after I'm gone."
You can get more information on Veterans Outpost here and learn how you can donate to and volunteer for the ongoing effort.