The Boulders at Lake Tyler opened up a barge for the residents of Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home to fish for the afternoon on Tuesday. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

It has been said there is no such thing as a bad day when it was spent fishing. For the residents of Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home, this sentiment was definitely true Tuesday.

“All you need is just a hook in the water,” said resident and veteran Jack Hetzel, 102. “If it grabs something, that’s good. If not, I’m still fishing. Of course, I’d rather catch a fish but still, I do like fishing.”

With the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Veterans Land Board, The Boulders at Lake Tyler discounted its day-use fee for the Watkins-Logan residents. Through private donors, they were also able to acquire fishing poles and equipment.

“As parks and wildlife game wardens, we do enforcement action,” said Brad Clark, game warden for Smith County. “But part of our job is to introduce people to the outdoors and give them the opportunity to hunt and fish, and this is just one of the things that we get to get involved with. That’s why we’re here, just helping them out (and) have a good time.”

The Boulders offered its coffee trailer, as well as snow cones and games.

“We (wanted to) honor our veterans, show our appreciation by having them come out and enjoy the day of fishing on the barge in the boardwalk,” said Paul Taylor, park manager and maintenance of The Boulders of Lake Tyler. “We want to give them an opportunity of … everything that we offer. We are very proud of their service that they’ve done for us over the years.”

The inaugural event was established through a meeting between the residents of Watkins-Logan and activities director Brian Wilson.

“It’s my job to make their dreams come true,” Wilson said. “We hold a meeting once a month with all the veterans and they say ‘this is what we wanna try … this is what we wanna do.’”

Through a unanimous decision, the veterans put fishing on their wish list.

“It was a sweep across the board,” Wilson said.

Nearly 20 veterans from World War II to the Korean War and the Gulf War were escorted from Watkins-Logan to The Boulders for fishing and free meals for the day Tuesday.

“To me, it means the world,” Wilson said. “I’m a veteran myself. These are my brothers and sisters that are out here and if I can make their life a little bit better in any way, shape, form or fashion, I’m gonna do it no matter if it’s gonna cost me … these guys deserve it. These guys have been through heck and back, so why not give them a little bit of peace, a little bit of relaxation.”

The veterans also received one-year licenses.

“Anything we can do to better their day, (even) if it’s just one single day,” Clark said, “then I’m all for it … we’re all for it.”

“It’s such an honor to see them coming out here to fish, knowing that they dedicated their lives over the years,” Taylor added.

Texas State Veterans Homes provide affordable, long-term care for Texas veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents. Located across Texas, each facility is designed to enhance the quality of life with a clean, caring, and dignified setting appropriate to those men and women who have served the country with honor.

“If people wanna come out to our facility, like a meet and greet, they should come talk to these guys,” Wilson said. “There’s so much story, there’s so much history … come out and learn it. Learn it from the guys who lived it all.”

The Tyler veterans home is located at 11466 Honor Lane in Tyler.

To learn more, visit vlb.texas.gov/veterans-homes/.