Participants from across the U.S. gathered to compete in the National Veterans Golden Age Games.
Game on!
The National Veterans Golden Age Games, the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States, celebrated its 25th anniversary year in Hawai`i over Memorial Day weekend from May 26-31.
The games drew more than 900 competitors, along with hundreds of family members and friends, for a total of more than 1,400 participants, topping initial estimates by nearly 200 attendees. Special guests included Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Eric K. Shinseki and Tammy Duckworth, VA assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs.
Events such as air rifle, shuffle board, and table tennis were held at the Hawai`i Convention Center. Other events were held at select locations around Oahu, including Waikiki Beach, the University of Hawai`i, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. In total, 14 sports and recreational activities were offered in seven age categories including swimming, cycling, bowling, and shot-put. New to the 2011 Games was an outrigger canoe exhibition event.
The National Veterans Golden Age Games is an official program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, with participants from across the country. It is the only national multi-event sports and recreational competition program designed to improve the quality of life for military Veterans ages 55 and older who receive health care at VA medical facilities, including those with disabilities.
See Event Director Dewayne Vaughan discuss the highlights of the games on Hawai`i News Now Sunrise!
