Five VA Bedford Veterans represent at National Veterans Golden Age Games
SALT LAKE CITY — Five Veterans of VA Bedford Healthcare System participated in the 38thNational Veterans Golden Age Games (Golden Age Games) August 24 – 29 in Salt Lake City, Utah, bringing home a total of 13 gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Elva Alvarado, a U.S. Navy Veteran from Bedford, Massachusetts, competed in the 65-69 age group in pickleball, swimming, and golf, winning gold in mixed doubles pickleball, female doubles pickleball, 50-meter backstroke, 50-meter freestyle, and 50-meter individual medley; silver in the 50-meter breaststroke; and bronze in golf.
Leominster, Massachusetts, resident John Casey, a U.S. Army Veteran, also competed in the 65-69 age group in air rifle, archery, boccia, cornhole, and horseshoes. Casey did his best in many difficult areas.
U.S. Navy Veteran John Drinkwater from Reading, Massachusetts, competed in the 70-74 age group in bowling, cornhole, horseshoes, pickleball, and bobsledding. Drinkwater picked up gold in men’s doubles pickleball and mixed doubles pickleball.
From Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Richard St. Louis competed in the 75-79 age group in archery, badminton, bowling, cornhole, and power walking, finishing in 5th place in the stacked bowling field.
Robert Surdel, a U.S. Army Veteran from Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, also competed in the 75-79 age group, in basketball free throw, bowling, cornhole, pickleball, golf, and bobsledding, taking home a silver medal in basketball free throws, and bronze for cornhole and golf.
The pickleball players also won gold for the pickleball juggernaut.
Each Veteran competed alongside about a thousand fellow Veterans, supported by nearly 2,000 volunteers. The Golden Age Games lasted for six days.
“These local Veterans participating in the Golden Age Games serve as powerful examples of how activity and strength are possible at every age,” Joan Clifford, VA Bedford Health Care System Director said. “Our staff is proud to cheer on local Veteran-athletes who embrace the ‘Fitness for Life’ mantra.”
Indeed, VA Bedford’s Recreation Therapy team offered extra sessions and coaching for these Golden Age Games athletes.
“We also have a strong representation of other Veterans and staff in the gym making all games competitive, which has increased all our levels of play,” Andrew Geddry, Recreation Therapy Supervisor said.
Founded in 1985, the Golden Age Games serve Veterans ages 55 and older. Through its “Fitness for Life” motto, the Golden Age Games offer athletic competitions and health education sessions to demonstrate the value that sports, wellness and fitness provide to assist Veterans with living an active and healthy lifestyle. The Golden Age Games are a qualifying event for the National Senior Games, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Firmly based on VA clinical research and expertise, the Golden Age Games have served thousands of Veterans and trained hundreds of VA rehabilitation providers across more than 125 VA health care facilities. With the support of local VA facilities, Veterans can and should participate in recreational sports and fitness programs throughout the year. The Golden Age Games are sponsored by VA and Veterans Canteen Service (VCS).
According to Geddry, VA Bedford participation this year was paid from donated funds allowing health care system to send a strong contingent of Veteran athletes.
“Without the generosity of donors, all this success would not be possible.”
To view the action from the Golden Age Games, follow @Sports4Vets on X and Sports4Vets on Instagram, Sports4Vets on Facebook, search #GoldenAgeGames or visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/veteransaffairs/albums.