Joining in the spirit of “competition, connection, and resilience,” more than 140 blind and visually impaired veterans from across the country, including several BVA members, left an indelible mark on last week’s 38th VA Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“What a blast this year’s games were for me,” said Calvin Poole, Secretary/Treasurer of the Tennessee Regional Group. “One of the most important lessons learned from the Games is how important it is for all of us to remain as active and fit as possible.”
Among the participants receiving medals, most of them multiple medals, were Calvin himself and fellow regional group veterans Terry Richardson and Alexander Cade. Others excelling in several competitive events were at-large member from Rowlett, Texas, Sheldon McKinney (also facilitator of the Dog Handlers Interest Group); Michaun Harrison, Angel Ramirez, Matt Reed, and Harvey Guary of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Group (President); and Director of District 3 Douglas Ingram of the Florida Regional Group. William Sanders and Tonora Shannon, President and Vice President, respectively, of the Michigan Regional group, also competed and excelled in their age groups.
Hosted for the first time ever by the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System August 24-29, the premier senior adaptive sports and recreational competition program brought together more than a thousand veterans over the age of 55 to participate in 19 competitive events in eight age categories and three other classifications—Ambulatory Division, Visually Impaired Division, and Wheelchair Division. Air Rifle, Basketball Free Throw, and Golf were added to the games for the first time last year and introduced this year in the Visually Impaired Division.
The Golden Age Games embody VA’s “Fitness for Life” motto. The event is designed to improve the quality of life for all older veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, through both sports competitions and training clinics.
Calvin also emphasized the significance of the camaraderie that exists at the Games. He credits the preparation he and other members of the regional group made before arriving in Salt Lake City, in turn thanking the coaches that pushed the veterans along. He further thanked the Administration at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers VA Medical Center in Memphis that supported that preparation.
“We received medals and ribbons as a direct result of the training we received,” Calvin emphasized.
Key stats from the Games: 40 percent of all participants attended the Games for the first time, 27 percent of the participants were women, and two athletes attended for the 21st year. The oldest veteran athlete was 94.
Memphis, Tennessee, will host the 2025 Golden Age Games, a source of anticipation for Calvin and members of his regional group.
“Throughout the week, our Tennessee people were interviewed by local television reporters by virtue of next year’s site in our own backyard,” he said. “The Memphis VA staff, coaches, and Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (Lovell Pratcher) were highlighted and interviewed.”
KSL-TV, the NBC network affiliate in Salt Lake City, captured the essence of the Games in an August 27 live report from the Salt Palace Convention Center where a majority of the indoor events were held.
