Local Seniors Win Sports Competitions at the National Veterans Golden Age Games

Despite the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Allison, six veterans who receive care at the Houston VA Medical Center were determined to make their way to Duncanville, Texas for the 15th National Golden Age Games held June 9 to 15.

"Everybody was looking forward to the Golden Age Games even with everything that was going on," said VA recreation therapy assistant Grant Lenued, noting that it took the group four hours just to get beyond the city limits.

As it turned out, their trip was not in vain. Several of the local participants came home big winners. Travis Kanida won the gold in dominoes; Ned Tanner won the gold for the pentathlon and the silver in quarter-mile bicycle racing; Leldon Box won the gold in the nine-ball pool tournament; and R. L. Mitchell won the gold in horseshoes for the visually impaired. Other local competitors were Richard Williams and Eddie Winn.

"You've never seen a more complete gathering of veterans," Lenued said. "Golden Age Games is like a family gathering for veterans."

GAG, also called a "fountain of youth" for the rapidly aging veteran population, is a multi-event sports competition and therapeutic recreation program for veterans 55 years of age and older who receive care through a VA medical facility. Events include swimming; bicycling; pentathlon, which is comprised of shot put, discus, softball hit, basketball free throw, and air gun; table tennis; dominoes; shuffleboard; horseshoes; nine-ball; bowling; checkers; golf and croquet.

The National Veterans Golden Age Games is co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and is an outgrowth of the Department of Veterans Affairs' involvement in geriatric programs.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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