Oldest Military Veterans Get Ready for Annual Golden
Age Games
Largest veterans competition in the world opens
August 20 for those 55 and older
July
15, 2008 An Olympic-type event of its own, more than 700 golden age
military veterans from 42 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have
registered to compete in the largest sports and recreational competition
for senior veterans in the world August 20-24. The oldest veteran
competing in the Games this year is 97 years young.
Hosted this year by the Richard L. Roudebush VA
Medical Center in Indianapolis, the event includes competition in 14
sports such as swimming, bicycling, discus, shuffleboard, bowling and
golf to mention a few. The Games is open to all U.S. military veterans
age 55 and older who are currently receiving care at any VA medical
facility.
The 22nd National Veterans Golden Age Games are
co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Help Hospitalized
Veterans and the Veterans Canteen Service, with contributions from the
Lilly Endowment Fund.
The Games is the only national multi-event sports
and recreational seniors competition program for older veterans. It is
designed to improve the quality of life for all older veterans,
including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.
The 2008 Games is a qualifier for eight events, at
the National Senior Games in 2009 to be held in San Francisco. The
National Senior Games is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. This
will be the fourth time that veterans have had this unique experience to
compete at a higher level.
The Games bring together veterans from all branches
of military service who served in times of war and peace. Participants
compete in open, wheelchair and visually impair divisions in specific
age groups.
Although many of the competitors are of World War
II and the Korean War, Vietnam/Vietnam era veterans are increasing in
number each year in this annual competition.
The majority of the Golden Age Games events,
including opening and closing ceremonies, will be held at the Indiana
Convention Center. The opening ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, August 20.
The event begins with a gala opening ceremony to
include music, a color guard, the parade of flags from each
participating state and a ceremonial lighting of the torch.
The competition begins with golf on Thursday,
August 21, at 8:00 a.m., at Coffin Golf Course. Closing ceremonies will
be at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, at the convention center.
For more information on the Golden Age Games,
click here.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
July
15, 2008 An Olympic-type event of its own, more than 700 golden age
military veterans from 42 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have
registered to compete in the largest sports and recreational competition
for senior veterans in the world August 20-24. The oldest veteran
competing in the Games this year is 97 years young.