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An estimated 600 "golden-age" veterans from across the country will travel to Indianapolis Aug. 20-24 to compete in the world's largest sports and recreational competition for senior veterans.
The 22nd National Veterans Golden Age Games are open to all U.S. military veterans age 55 or older who receive care at VA medical facilities. The games give participants the opportunity to compete in ambulatory, visually impaired, and wheelchair divisions, according to their ages. Events include swimming, bicycling, bowling, croquet, air rifle, golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, discus and shot put.
The games are designed to improve the quality of life for older veterans with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. For a number of events, the games will serve as a qualifying competition for participation in the 2009 National Senior Games in San Francisco.
The games are co-sponsored by VA, Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) and the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS). This year's event is hosted by the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center at Indianapolis.
"After HHV's initial co-sponsorship of the games in 2007, we are extremely pleased to announce our continued support of this therapeutic program," said Mike Lynch, executive director of HHV. "The games touch numerous lives, and we could not pass up the chance to be a part of this great event again."
"An active lifestyle is vital to everyone's health and well being, and is even more important as we enter our senior years," said Marilyn Iverson, VCS director. "It is a great way to stay healthy and prevent illness."
Most events, including the games' opening and closing ceremonies, will be at the Indiana Convention Center. The opening ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Competition begins with golf at Coffin Golf Course at 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21. Closing ceremonies will be at the convention center at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.
For more information on the games, click on the links below or call (757) 728-3450.
GOLDEN AGE GAMES
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
