National Veterans Golden Age Games set for the City of Angels

WASHINGTON – From the East Coast to the West Coast, more than 500 “golden age” veterans will pour into Los Angeles to participate in the largest national sports and recreational competition for older veterans in the world.  The 16^th National Veterans Golden Age Games, sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), will take place August 10 – 17. 

Golden Age Games competitions are open to all U.S. military veterans age 55 or older, currently receiving care at a VA medical facility.  Hosted by the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, the Games allow participants to compete in sports such as swimming, bicycling, horseshoes, bowling, croquet, and a pentathlon (softball hit, discus, shot put, basketball free throw and air guns.)

“These men and women are inspiring.  There is no other way to say it,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.  “The Golden Age Games bring together veterans who landed at Normandy, POWs from Korea and Purple Heart recipients from Vietnam.  Anyone who has attended the games and seen the esprit de corps among the veterans knows this event fills a special need in their lives.”

The athletes compete in open and wheelchair divisions according to their age.  The majority are veterans of World War II and the Korean War.

“I hope these Games continue forever, because lots of older veterans don’t have anything like this to look forward to,” said Beverly Smith, 82, World War II Navy veteran. “With the Games, they can practice all year, come with their teammates and really enjoy themselves.  I think it’s one of the best things VA has ever done.” 

One of VA’s greatest challenges is meeting the growing needs of a rapidly aging veteran population.  Today, 38 percent of the veteran population is 65 or older.  Care for these men and women is provided through a variety of programs, including more than 135 nursing home care units, adult day care, home health care services, community residential care, contracts with 3,500 community nursing homes and support to 100 state veterans homes.  Additionally, VA conducts nationwide research on the causes and treatment of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and funds 20 geriatric research centers.

“We are pleased to be a part of this excellent program, and take great pride in what veterans did in defense of their country and what they do on the field of friendly competition.  These Games inspire all of us to keep active and stay healthy with the goal of improving our overall quality of life,” said VFW Commander in Chief James N. Goldsmith of Lapeer, Mich. “We wish success to these veterans gathered on the field of competition.  Their competitive spirit sends a strong message to citizens of all ages of the importance of being physically active and fit.”  

The majority of Golden Age Games events will be held at the Century Plaza Hotel and the Brentwood School.  Opening ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, in the Los Angeles Ballroom at the Century Plaza Hotel.  Festivities include music, a color guard, the parade of flags and a ceremonial lighting of the torch.  The competition begins  with a pentathlon on Monday, August 12, at 9:00 a.m. at Brentwood School.

For more information on the Golden Age Games, call Jenny Tankersley, National Veterans Golden Age Games Onsite Public Affairs Coordinator, at (310) 407-3155. 

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For more information about the National Veterans Golden Age Games, or to follow the activities as they happen, visit the event website at:  http://www.va.gov/vetevent/gag/2002/

After August 15, contact Jenny Tankersley at (757) 728-3450 or VFW Communications at (890) 984-9877 for further information.