Diverse News 2008®

NEWS FEEDS
World's Largest Annual Sporting Event for Senior Veterans Begins
    22nd Year of VA-Sponsored Sporting Competition

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 700 veterans
from across the country have traveled to Indianapolis to compete in the
largest sports and recreational competition for senior veterans in the
world -- the 22nd National Veterans Golden Age Games -- which begins Aug.
20.

    "The record number of veterans competing in this year's Golden Age
Games in Indianapolis is a testament to the competitive spirit of our
nation's heroes," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
"There is no barrier, including age, to living an active and healthy life."

    At the Golden Age Games, which runs Aug. 20-24, competition is open to
all U.S. military veterans age 55 or older who receive care at any
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility. Participants have the
opportunity to compete in ambulatory, visually-impaired and wheelchair
divisions, based on age groups. Events include swimming, bicycling,
bowling, croquet, air rifle, golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, discus and
shot-put, among others.

    The National Veterans Golden Age Games is the only national multi-event
sports and recreational seniors' competition program for older veterans. It
is designed to improve the quality of life for all older veterans,
including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. For
several of the competitive events, the Games serve as a qualifying
competition for the 2009 National Senior Games, a member of the U.S.
Olympic Committee.

    The National Veterans Golden Age Games are co-sponsored by VA, Help
Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) and the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS). This
year's event is hosted by the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in
Indianapolis.

    The majority of the 2008 National Veterans Golden Age Games events,
including opening and closing ceremonies, will be held at the Indiana
Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

    The opening ceremony will take place Aug. 20 at 7:00 p.m. Festivities
include music, a color guard, a parade of competitors and the ceremonial
lighting of the torch. The competition begins with golf on Thursday, Aug.
21, at 8:00 a.m., at Coffin Golf Course. Closing ceremonies will be held on
Sunday, Aug. 24, at 7:00 p.m. Admission to all events is free to the public
and the community is encouraged to attend.

    For more information on the Golden Age Games, visit the Web site at:
http://www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov, or call Jenny Tankersley Ballou,
National Veterans Golden Age Games Public Affairs Coordinator, at (757)
728-3450 or (757) 254-6058.
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