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VA'S 21st NATIONAL GOLDEN AGE GAMES SET FOR
HOUSTON -- Will take place Monday, August 27
through Friday, August 31.
For more information on the Golden Age Games, use the VA Watchdog
search engine...click here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/sessearch
.php?q=golden+age&op=ph
We have a fact sheet followed by a VA press
release.
Fact sheet here...
http://www1.va.
gov/vetevent/gag/2007/Default.cfm
Fact sheet below:
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What:
The premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States,
and the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’
competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all
older veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and
disabilities. The National Veterans Golden Age Games is one of the most
progressive and adaptive rehabilitative senior sports programs in the
world. The Games serve as a qualifying event for competition in the
National Senior Games in a number of competitive events.
When:
August 27 - 31, 2007
Where:
Houston, Texas
Who:
Military veterans age 55 or older who receive health care at any VA
medical facility are eligible to compete in the National Veterans Golden
Age Games. Sponsor: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Canteen
Service (VCS) Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV)
Why:
Sports and fitness are vital ingredients of VA’s National Rehabilitation
Special Events. Physical activity and friendly competition engage the
mind as well as the body, and recreation therapy fills a special need in
the lives of older patients at VA health centers across the country. VA
research and clinical experience verify that physical activity is
particularly important to the health, recovery and overall quality of
life for older people. The National Veterans Golden Age Games encourage
VA patients over the age of 55 to make physical activity a central part
of their lives, and support VA’s comprehensive recreation and
rehabilitation therapy programs. It is a national showcase for the
preventive and therapeutic value of sports, fitness and recreation in
the lives of all older Americans.
Events:
Competitive events include: swimming, bicycling, golf, shot put, discus,
10-meter air rifle, table tennis, dominoes, shuffleboard, horseshoes,
nine-ball, bowling, checkers, and croquet. Each event has seven age
categories for participation, 55-59, 60-64, 65-59, 70-74, 75-79 and
80-84, 85 and up. Additionally, veterans with visual impairments and
those who use wheelchairs may compete in the Visually Impaired or
Wheelchair divisions.
Host:
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
Sponsors:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Canteen Service
Help Hospitalized Veterans
Contact:
Michael T. Mitchell, Local Site Coordinator, NVGAG, (713) 794-8779
Darcie Asakura, Local Co- Coordinator, NVGAG, (713) 791-1414 Ext. 3064
Media Contacts:
Jenny Tankersley Ballou, National Public Affairs Coordinator, NVGAG,
(757) 728-3450
Bobbi Gruner, Local Public Affairs Coordinator, NVGAG, (713) 791-1414
Ext. 5569
Pam Ecker, VCS VA Rehabilitation Special Events Coordinator, (314)
845-1210
Program Contacts:
Dewayne Vaughan, National Director, (202) 745-8615
Michael T. Mitchell, Local Coordinator, (713) 794-8779
Darcie Asakura, Local Co-Coordinator, (713) 791-1414, Ext. 3064
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VA press release here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/
vap07/vap080107-1.htm
Press release below:
-------------------------
National Veterans Golden Age Games Set for
Houston
August 1, 2007
WASHINGTON – From the East Coast to the West Coast, more than 500
“golden age” veterans will travel to Houston to participate in the
largest sports and recreational competition for senior veterans in the
world. The 21st National Veterans Golden Age Games, sponsored by the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) and
Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), will take place August 27 – 31.
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 Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, the Games give
participants the opportunity to compete in ambulatory, visually impaired
and wheelchair divisions according to their age, in sports such as
swimming, bicycling, horseshoes, bowling, croquet, discus and shot put.
"The Golden Age Games are a shining example of the care VA provides to
its heroes,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "These
Games bring together veterans from World War II to Operation Desert
Storm, all living full and healthy lives. VA is proud of the care and
recognition these veterans receive through this national rehabilitation
special event.”
The National Veterans Golden Age Games is the premier senior adaptive
rehabilitation program for veterans in the United States. The only
national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition
program, it is designed to improve the quality of life for all older
veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and
disabilities. For a number of events, the Games serve as a qualifying
competition for participating in the National Senior Games, a member of
the U.S. Olympic Committee.
“On behalf of the Founder and Board of Directors of HHV, I share in the
excitement of HHV’s inaugural co-sponsorship of this first-rate ‘special
event’,” said Mike Lynch, Executive Director of HHV. “The Golden Age
Games help senior veterans maintain excellent mental and physical health
by encouraging them to participate in activities throughout the year.”
“Veterans Canteen Service is proud to be one of the sponsors of the
National Veterans Golden Age Games as an outward expression of our
commitment to serving those who served,” said Marilyn Iverson, VCS
national director. “They send a clear message that exercise, fitness and
competition demonstrated during their military service still shows in
their determination and spirit at the Games.”
The majority of the Golden Age Games events, including opening and
closing ceremonies, will be held at the George R. Brown Convention
Center. The opening ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, August
27. Festivities include music, a color guard, a parade of flags and a
ceremonial lighting of the torch. The competition begins with bicycling
on Tuesday, August 28, at 8 a.m., at Reliant Park. Amid the competition,
veterans will be treated to Texas hospitality at area attractions.
For more information on the Golden Age Games, look online at
www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov , or call Jenny Tankersley Ballou,
National Veterans Golden Age Games public affairs coordinator, at (757)
728-3450 or (757) 254-6058.
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Larry Scott --
