National Veterans Golden Age Games

Mark Wager, Air Force Veteran, is competing in the 2024 National Veterans Golden Age Games, proving that fitness and determination can help overcome challenges.

Wager served in the Air Force from 1988 to 1996 during the Gulf War era. He worked in aircraft maintenance, disassembling aircraft flight components, inspecting parts and performing preventive maintenance.

Wager’s time in the Air Force instilled in him a strong sense of teamwork and determination, traits that have been crucial in his recovery journey.

Participating in the Golden Age Games

In 2009, Wager (pictured above) suffered a stroke that left him with hemiparesis, a condition that leads to weakness on one side of the body. This condition can restrict movement and impact daily tasks like dressing, eating and walking. Determined to regain his strength and mobility, he enrolled in Salt Lake City VA’s adaptive sports program in October 2023.

After enrolling in adaptive sports, he began to rediscover his abilities, participating in activities like aquatic therapy, cycling and bowling.

“Mark came to me wanting to challenge himself,” said Shannon O’Rawe, Wager’s recreational therapist and Golden Age Games coach. “He’s been incredibly motivated, attending every practice, learning the rules and committing to the training.”

Wager is competing for the first time in several events at the Golden Age Games, including cycling, bowling, boccia and cornhole.

Training for and participating in these sports gave him a physical outlet and reignited his competitive spirit. “I see these games as an opportunity to prove to myself and others that life doesn’t end after a stroke. It can still be full of achievements,” he shared.

Benefits of physical activity

For Wager, participating in the Golden Age Games is more than just about winning medals. It’s about maintaining “Fitness for Life,” a principle he has embraced wholeheartedly.

“I’m living Fitness for Life. It isn’t just a slogan for me. It’s a lifestyle change that connected me to community and gave me goals to work toward,” he said. Through sports, he’s found a renewed sense of purpose and a way to continue challenging himself.

Wager is participating in the Golden Age Games to grow and inspire other Veterans facing similar challenges. “Participating in these games has been life-changing. I’m proving to myself I can still achieve great things and hopefully show other Veterans they can, too.”

O’Rawe is confident in his abilities.

“People might underestimate him when they first meet him, but Mark is a fierce competitor. He will give it his all and I’m excited to see how he performs,” she said.

The Golden Age Games include 19 competitive events in three categories: ambulatory, wheelchair and visually impaired divisions, and eight age groups ranging from 55 to 90+.

At least 825 Veteran participants, including 367 novice athletes and 254 female Veterans, are expected to attend the 2024 Games.