Noteboom The Law Firm

Older Veterans Remaining Healthy and Competitive

June 4, 2010 - This Memorial Day marked the last day of the 24^th Annual National Veterans Golden Age Games. These games are the largest of their kind in the world and draw hundreds of veteran-competitors.

These games exhibit the competitive spirit that continues to exist inside older veterans. What these older veterans demonstrate by competing in these games is that age is no restriction on being able to live a very vigorous and dynamic life. In order to participate in the games, competitors must:

• Be a U.S. military veteran;
• Be 55 years of age or older; and
• Receive care at a Department of Veterans Affair (VA) medical facility.

The games' various competitions are broken down into different divisions and according to age. Coupling with The National Senior Games Association (NSGA), the games challenge veterans with wide-ranging disabilities. The games also count as qualifiers for the National Senior Games because the NSGA is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Events include:  

• Swimming;
• Cycling;
• Bowling;
• Croquet;
• Air rifle;
• Golf;
• Shuffleboard;
• Horseshoes;
• Discus; and
• Shot-put.

 The VA co-sponsors the games and do so in order to reflect their commitment to using revolutionary rehabilitative methods coupling sports with social medicine. All veteran-competitors swear by their positive experience from the competition. Their participation is a testament to their choice to live a healthy and rewarding lifestyle.