Martinsburg VA Medical Center Celebrates Veteran Athletes' Success at 2025 Golden Age Games
By David Porter, Public Affairs Officer - Office of the Medical Center Director
The Martinsburg VA Medical Center congratulates our Veteran athletes, who brought home an impressive 76 medals and ribbons from the 2025 National Veterans Golden Age Games held in Memphis, TN, from May 30 to June 6.
This is an increase from the 64 awards last year, highlighting the growing interest in the "Fitness for Life" focus of Recreation Therapy programs.
According to Darren Yowell, a Recreation Specialist and coach of Team Martinsburg for the past 12 years, sports have significant rehabilitative value and can be life-changing. “I know first-hand. Sports were key to my own recovery 15 years ago. In my current role with VA, I see the positive impact every day,” Yowell said.
Yowell described a team member who joined after losing his sight. “He was introduced to adaptive sports and trained for a year before going to Memphis, where he won five medals, including a gold in air rifle,” Yowell recounted.
The National Veterans Golden Age Games feature nearly 20 sports and are open to U.S. military Veterans who are 55 years old or older by December 31 of the event year. To participate, Veterans must be enrolled in VA health care and involved in a Recreational Therapy program. Interested Veterans should contact their VA provider for more information.
Mark your calendars for the next NVGAG, which will be held in Tampa, Florida, in June 2026.
Read more about the 2026 National Veterans Golden Age Games here.