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Dear Editor:
Calling all veterans who will be 55 years old or older by December 31, 2020 and receive health care from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Here's the perfect reason to maintain your health and fitness resolutions for the new year. For the first time ever, the National Veterans Golden Age Games (NVGAG) will be held in Madison, Wisconsin. Let's make this the best competition ever by having a huge field of competitors!
Events to compete in include air pistol, air rifle, badminton, basketball, boccia, bowling, cycling, disc golf, golf, horseshoes, nineball, pickleball, power walk, shuffleboard, table tennis and track & field. Visit https://www.blogs.va.gov/nvspse/national-veterans-golden-age-games/ online to get all the details.
The games take place on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center June 22-27, 2020. Registration begins March 2, 2020. Per the VA, the National Veterans Golden Age Games is the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States, and the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors' competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. The VA challenges and encourages senior Veterans to be proactive in embracing a healthier lifestyle, thus achieving the NVGAG "Fitness for Life" motto.
There are ambulatory and wheelchair events. You must receive medical clearance from your VA authorized primary care provider (PCP) no later than May 8, 2020 in order to participate. Contact your PCP now to see if this is something you can do and train purposefully to get yourself into shape. Now is the perfect time to start. There are people who have run their first marathon at the age of 82, so you are never too old to make a lifestyle change. Get out there. Have fun. Find yourself a partner with whom to train and enjoy the camaraderie. Be all that you can be.
Win or not, I'll be out there doing my best. Will you?
Dawn Kabot,
CW2, US Army Retired
Spring Green, WI