WASHINGTON, D.C. — From California to Maine, nearly 500 "golden age" veterans are heading to Topeka, Kan., to participate in a national sports and recreational competition. The 14th National Veterans Golden Age Games, sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will take place Sept. 3-7.
The Golden Age Games are open to all U.S. military veterans, age 55 or older, who are currently receiving care at a VA medical facility. Hosted by the VA Heartland Network and the VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System, participants will compete in sports activities such as swimming, bicycling, horseshoes, bowling, croquet, and a pentathlon (softball hit, discus, shot put, basketball free throw and airguns).
"VA has always viewed recreational therapy as an integral part of an older veteran's well-being," said Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Hershel W. Gober. "The Golden Age Games highlight this philosophy. Anyone who has ever attended the Games and seen the esprit de corps among the veterans knows the event fills a special need in the lives of older patients."
The athletes compete in open and wheelchair divisions and in their age groups: 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 and above. The majority are veterans of World War II and the Korean War.
"We're in our twilight years, but at the Games, twilight turns to gold," said Landon "Chili" Chilchutt, 78, an Army combat veteran and former World War II prisoner of war. "Because of the Games, we all have the opportunity to see a bit of gold ahead of us in our last years."
One of VA's greatest challenges is meeting the growing needs of a rapidly aging veteran population. Today, 9.3 million veterans, 38 percent of the veteran population, are 65 or older. Care for these men and women is provided through a variety of programs, including more than 100 nursing home care units in medical centers, adult day care, home health care services and community residential care, contracts with 3,500 community nursing homes, and support to 97 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.
"At one point, I had no circulation in my legs," said veteran James Gilly, 70, one of last year's Golden Age Games athletes. "The VA operated on me and now I can not only walk, but also compete in the Games. Even if I don't win a medal, I feel that I'm a winner . . . I'm not getting older, I'm getting younger by competing in the Games!"
