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Help Hospitalized Veterans Partners with VA

February 6, 2007

Group to Co-Sponsorship National Veterans Golden Age Games

WASHINGTON – In a ceremony today at VA headquarters, Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) presented Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson with a check for $200,000 to become the newest co-sponsor of the National Veterans Golden Age Games.

“VA is proud to welcome HHV to help bring this important event to our nation’s veterans,” said Nicholson. “These national games highlight VA’s world-class health care system and encourage veterans to pursue physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.”

Secretary Nicholson (left) receives $200,000 check from HHV executive director Mike Lynch for Vets Golden Age Games. A health and welfare organization, HHV joins the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a co-sponsor for one of the top adaptive rehabilitative senior sports programs in the world. As an event sponsor, HHV shares the responsibility to provide a quality program for America’s aging veteran population. HHV has also been a co-sponsor of VA’s National Veterans Creative Arts Festival for the past 17 years.

“The National Veterans Golden Age Games provide another innovative and marvelous program that gives America’s veterans the opportunity to participate in challenging events that not only test their abilities but enhance their spirit,” said Mike Lynch, Executive Director of HHV. “We look forward to our sponsorship to help bring this wonderful program to the veteran community for years to come.”

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston is hosting this year’s event from August 27-31.

The games are the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for older veterans, including those with a wide range of disabilities. Activities include swimming, bicycling, golf, shot put, discus, 10-meter air rifle, table tennis, dominoes, shuffleboard, horseshoes, nine-ball, bowling, checkers and croquet.

Each event has seven age categories for participation. Veterans with visual impairments and those who use wheelchairs may also compete in the visually impaired or wheelchair divisions at the annual event.

Since 2004, the National Veterans Golden Age Games have served as a qualifier for the National Senior Olympics in a number of competitive events. The National Senior Olympics is a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee.

Registration for the National Veterans Golden Age Games is now open online at www.veteransgoldenagegames.org.  The final day to register is June 1, 2007.

Contact: Jenny Tankersley Ballou, Public Affairs Coordinator, National Veterans Golden Age Games, at (757) 728-3450.

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Larry Scott

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