Palmetto Patriots bring home the gold!

Dubbed the Palmetto Patriots, the group of Charleston Veterans representing the Ralph H. Johnson VA, took home 16 medals (5 gold, 8 silver, 3 bronze) in athletic events designed to highlight their skill and competitive spirit. The team was made up of Veteran Affair employees and Veterans who volunteered to take part in the events or assist in logistics and organization. 

“What motivates me is the competition,” said J.T. Coyne, Palmetto Patriots Veteran. “It brings everything up an extra notch when you’re shooting for a specific score. Even more so, what motivates me is coming out and meeting all the other Veterans and getting to tell war stories again.”

Founded in 1985, the National Veterans Golden Age Games serves Veterans ages 55 years and older. Through its “Fitness for Life” motto, the Golden Age Games offers sports 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 National Veterans Golden Age Games is a qualifying event for the National Senior Games.

Events included in this year’s games were air pistol/rifle, badminton, bowling, cornhole, cycling, disc golf, and track and field, just to name a few. The oldest of these athletes was 94, highlighting the commitment to fitness many of these Veterans feel during this event. There were wheelchair specific divisions as well as visually impaired divisions, that cater to the needs of their respective Veterans. 

“It’s an opportunity for not letting the old man catch up with me,” said Dick Ligon, Palmetto Patriots Veteran. “Staying in shape and trying to participate and seeing all the good people that come here. I get to see all the good Veterans from around the country.” 

 This year there was an estimated 920 Veterans that attended, making it a record high for the event. Even some married Veteran couples took part in the sporting events this year. 

“We’re one of the few Veteran couples that come to the Golden Age Games and sometimes even win and sometimes we don’t,” said Avery Alford, joined by his wife Phylis Alford, both Palmetto Patriot Veterans competing together.  “My wife has been a participant for two years and I think this gets her excited about being active. She is definitely an inspiration. She’s hugged every Veteran, I know she’s hugged half of them.”

The Golden Games for next year is expected to be held in Memphis, Tennessee. For more information on the Golden Games and the VA in general go to: https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-golden-age-games/