History of the National Veterans Golden Age Games

      Now in its 22nd year, the National Veterans Golden Age Games offer sports and recreational competitive events for veterans 55 years of age and older. The Games continue to serve as a showcase for the rehabilitation value that wellness and fitness provide in the lives of older Americans.
     The National Veterans Golden Age Games are an outgrowth of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ historic involvement in geriatric programs. Many of the events began as recreational activities at VA hospitals and nursing home care units across the country. Inspired by the health and fitness movement for America’s senior citizens, the Games extend that concept to our nation’s aging veterans. In 1985, the first Games took place in Albany, Georgia, with 115 competitors representing VA medical facilities across the United States.
     A "fountain of youth" for the rapidly aging veteran population, the Games provide a multi-event sports and therapeutic recreation program for eligible veterans receiving care at any VA medical facility. It is the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States, and the only national seniors’ program designed to improve the quality of life for all older veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. This event truly reflects VA's mission – to provide quality programs and health care for America's aging veteran population. It has become one of the most progressive and adaptive rehabilitative senior sports programs in the United States and the world.
     Over the years, competitive events at the National Veterans Golden Age Games have been adapted to meet specific needs of the participants. The Games have separate age groups and gender divisions. Additionally, because many veterans also face medical challenges, events were added for those who use wheelchairs and those who have visual impairments. To accommodate the varying degrees of physical conditioning, motor and cognitive skills of the participants, basic competition rules were adapted. The modification of rules and use of adaptive equipment in many events allow non-ambulatory and visually impaired veterans to participate, in separate divisions where needed and with ambulatory and sighted veterans when possible. This has made the National Veterans Golden Age Games a truly adaptive therapeutic sports competition that has become a model for other local, state and national senior sports events.
     In 2004, the National Veterans Golden Age Games became a qualifier for the National Senior Games, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Gold, silver and bronze medalists in certain events now have the opportunity to compete further, among America’s elite senior athletes. In 2006, 327 competitors qualified for the 2007 National Senior Games in Lexington, Kentucky.
     This outstanding program has grown from 115 participants its first year to 622 in 2007, making it the largest of VA’s rehabilitative special events. For the past several years, the aging Vietnam veteran population has entered the Games in greater numbers each year, making up the largest group of competitors by period of service. By age group, the over-70 categories are now the largest.

National Veterans Golden Age Games — 1985-2008

     Since 1990, one participant has been chosen each year for being the “Most Inspirational” person to compete. That veteran exhibits the qualities of fitness, sportsmanship and competitive skill. In 1995, the name of this award was changed to the “George Gangi Inspiration Award,” in honor of the late George Gangi, a participant at the Games in Dallas that year. Winners of the award, to date, are as follows:

     “Life begins at 55”— at least it does for the veterans competing in the National Veterans Golden Age Games. This event clearly demonstrates that sports and fitness are important for all Americans, at any age. It is a national showcase for the preventive and therapeutic value of sports, fitness, and recreation—all vital ingredients in VA’s extensive rehabilitation programs. Since it began in 1985, the event has encouraged thousands of older veterans to remain active, both physically and mentally. Each year, those who participate return home to encourage others to do the same.
     The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) and Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) co-sponsor the National Veterans Golden Age Games.  This partnership fosters an exceptional, quality event that promises serious competition and lasting memories for our nation’s older veterans.

CO-SPONSORED BY:
Department of Veterans Affairs	Help Hospitalized Veterans	Department of Veterans Affairs Canteen Service

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