National Veterans Golden Age Games Set for Geneva, N.Y.

Washington, D.C. -- The 13th National Veterans Golden Age Games, co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.A. (VFW), will be held in Geneva, N.Y., August 7-12.

Hosted by the Canandaigua, N.Y., VA Medical Center and the Upstate New York VA Healthcare Network, this multi-event recreational sports meet is open to all U.S. military veterans, 55 or older, currently receiving care at any VA medical facility. More than 400 veterans are expected to compete in sports events such as swimming, bicycling, horseshoes, bowling, croquet, and a pentathlon. The pentathlon includes the softball hit, discus, shot-put, basketball free throw and airgun competitions.

"The National Veterans Golden Age Games demonstrate how important it is to keep active and remain physically fit -- at any age," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo D. West Jr. "Events like the Golden Age Games are a vital part of VA's fitness programs for older veterans. They help us focus not only on meeting veterans' immediate health-care needs, but on their emotional, rehabilitative, and long-term needs as well. All are critical ingredients for overall good health."

"There is no better way to lift the human spirit and rehabilitate the human body than through the competition found in sports," said VFW National Commander-in-Chief Tom Pouliot. "Here, the individual is pitted against the cruelest opponents of all -- time and aging. But, through practice, perseverance and indomitable spirit, these opponents are beaten on the field of competition and the winner goes on to a happier and brighter future."

VA physicians and researchers have long been in the forefront of the growing fields of gerontology and geriatrics, offering innovative care programs to aging veterans such as geriatric evaluation and management units. In addition, VA researchers conduct extensive research into geriatric health issues in such areas as cardiovascular disease, nutrition, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Founded in 1899, VFW is the nation's oldest major veterans' organization. Half of its two million members are World War II veterans. The other half is made up of veterans of Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and other military actions for which campaign medals have been awarded.

The Upstate New York VA Healthcare Network includes the VA medical facilities in Albany, Bath, Buffalo/Batavia, Canandaigua and Syracuse, N.Y. The VA Medical Center in Canandaigua took a lead role in organizing the 1999 Games, which will take place at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva.

For further information, contact:

Roxanne Fischetti
VA Public Affairs
(202) 273-5736

Vern Pall
VFW Public Affairs
(816) 756-3390

Mark Francis
Batavia VA Medical Center Public Affairs
(716) 344-3353