Local Veterans Participate in National Veteran Golden Age Games

Edwin Beckford (U.S. Air Force Veteran from Camp Hill, PA) will compete in the 75-79 age group in basketball, cornhole, power walking, table tennis, and track and field.

Jacques Bellairs (U.S. Navy Veteran from Wyomissing, PA) will compete in the 75-79 age group in boccia, corn
hole, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and swimming.

Mary Bellairs (U.S. Navy Veteran from Wyomissing, PA) will compete in the 65-69 age group in air rifle, basketball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and swimming.

Harold Brown (U.S. Navy Veteran from Harrisburg, PA) will compete in the 80-84 age group in basketball, boccia, bowling, cornhole, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and bobsledding.

Preston Darkes (U.S. Army Veteran from Lebanon, PA) will compete in the 75-79 age group in air rifle, badminton, boccia, nine ball, pickleball, and bobsledding.

Dale Hackman (U.S. Army Veteran from Lebanon, PA) will compete in the 65-69 age group in boccia, cornhole, horseshoes, and nine ball.

Peter Heagy (U.S. Navy Veteran from Lebanon, PA) will compete in the 60-64 age group in archery, boccia, bowling, cornhole, horseshoes, and nine ball.

Steve Hornback (U.S. Army Veteran from Carlisle, PA) will compete in the 60-64 age group in archery, boccia, bowling, horseshoes, pickleball, and shuffleboard.

John Kessler (U.S. Navy Veteran from Mount Wolf, PA) will compete in the 55-59 age group in boccia, cornhole, cycling, horseshoes, nine ball, and bobsledding.

Ray Kozlusky (U.S. Navy Veteran from Lebanon, PA) will compete in the 85-89 age group in air pistol, air rifle, boccia, cornhole, and pickleball.

Brad Wolfe (U.S. Navy Veteran from Harrisburg, PA) will compete in the 70-74 age group in archery, boccia, bowling, cornhole, horseshoes, and shuffleboard.

Each Veteran will compete alongside more than 800 fellow Veterans, supported by nearly 2,000 volunteers.

“The local Veterans participating in the Golden Age Games serve as powerful examples of how activity
and strength are possible at every age,” said Jeffrey A. Beiler II, Lebanon VA Medical Center Director.
“Our staff is proud to cheer on local Veteran-athletes who embrace the ‘Fitness for Life’ mantra.”

The Golden Age Games lasts for six days:

• Day 0: Athlete arrival and event registration check-in.
• Day 1: Event registration check-in continues, a health and wellness exposition, a parade
  of athletes and sport competitions begin.
• Day 2 - 5: Sport competitions and exhibition events.
• Day 6: Sports competitions wrap up and passing of the torch.

Founded in 1985, the Golden Age Games serves Veterans ages 55 and older. Through its “Fitness for
Life” motto, the Golden Age Games offers 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 is 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 has 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).

To view live updates 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.

To view our daily YouTube content, “The Gold Rush,” search #GoldenAgeGames:
• The Gold Rush | 08-24-2024 | National Veterans Golden Age Games (youtube.com)
• The Gold Rush | 08-25-2024 | National Veterans Golden Age Games (youtube.com)

For more information or to request an interview via Zoom/Teams, please contact Jason Strickland,
National Veterans Golden Age Games media liaison, at jason.strickland2@va.gov, 303-619-1145.

Douglas A. Etter, Chief Communications Officer

Phone: