JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — ​Life after the military can be a stressful time for veterans and their families. But a long-time program offered throughout much of the state, is working to bring veterans together to socialize and share their experiences.

Breakfast at the Allen Street Diner in Jamestown, where 29-year-old Joe Bergman grabs an early cup of coffee. He served in the U.S. Army from 2011 to 2014, and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas with the 3rd Calvary Regiment, yet was not deployed during his time in the service.

"A lot of very influential men in my life, men and women in my life were a part of the military and I grew up, looking up to them," Joe said.

Joe returned home with his wife and new daughter, went to Jamestown Community College and graduated with a degree in welding.

His thoughts not far from his military family, this Veteran's Day.

"A day to reflect on my brothers and sisters that did a lot more than I did. And be grateful for their sacrifices,” Joe said.

Joe attended a recent coffee hour, part of the Joseph P. Dywer Peer to Peer Program, named after an American combat medic from Nassau County who served in the Iraq War and returned with post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. It's a non-clinical program across 26 counties in the state, where veterans connect and socially interact.

During the event, program leaders update the group on a list of reminders and upcoming activities.

"Gets them out of the house,” Cindy Reidy, Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program coordinator, said. “There's other veterans out there that understand what you've been through."

It also gives them a chance to share their thoughts and create a sense of belonging.

”So, by giving them these social activities, that gives them that not pressure way to meet other vets and in their own time, pick, pick who they want to be friends with," Cindy said.

Joe says the program has been helpful, especially after his bout with testicular cancer and chemotherapy. He says being around vets of all ages helped improve his mental state of mind.

"There's no judgment,” Joe said. “We all did the same thing. Some of us did it longer, some of us did it differently. And you just get to sit here and hang out and hear cool stories and really connect with people across the generations. And it's absolutely fantastic. I sit here next to two warriors. It's absolutely phenomenal to be in the presence of people like this. It's fantastic."