Sunday marked the first day of dove hunting season in Texas, an occasion that was more than just a hunt for a group of veterans in the Rio Grande Valley.

A group of Valley veterans typically gather to fish together to spend time outside and talk to process what only they can understand.

On Sunday, the group went out dove hunting together.

“Basically, the idea is for these guys to come out here and just have fun,” Valley Boys Outdoors organizer Fabian Hernandez said.

Hernandez said this is a way for veterans to find community 

“They're comfortable talking to someone who knows what they're saying,” Hernandez added. “A lot of times they may not want to talk to someone to burden them because they may not know their experience, but all these guys do."

Manuel Villarreal, a San Benito resident who served in the U.S. Army, said the sense of community provided by the group is invaluable.

"When I run into veterans, they always have a story, they always ask me about mine,” Villarreal said.

Watch the video above for the full story.