U of A Site for National Veterans Golden Age Games; Volunteers Needed

Checkers is one of the competitions in the Games

Senior veterans compete in a round of golf

Bowling is part of the Golden Age Games competition

The swimming competition

Nine-ball is one of the Golden Age Games of skill

Track and field events are a part of the National Veterans Golden Age Games

Photo Submitted

Senior veterans taking part in Golden Age Games.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas will be the site of the 28^th annual National Veterans Golden Age Games, which are being held Saturday, June 28, through Wednesday, July 2. The event is hosted by the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks. Almost 800 veterans, their spouses, Department of Veterans Affairs staff, and volunteers will visit Northwest Arkansas and the U of A for the rehabilitative and therapeutic sports events and activities. The university is one of the major sponsors of the event.

“We are very pleased and excited that the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks is bringing the Golden Age Games to our campus,” said Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor for facilities and a veteran himself. “Senior veterans will be coming from all 50 states to participate, and this is a great opportunity to introduce them to the University of Arkansas and to Northwest Arkansas.

“We need literally hundreds of volunteers to make this event a success, and we’re sure that our students, faculty and staff members on campus this summer will enjoy supporting our veterans and being a part of the Golden Age Games.”

Volunteers will be needed from Saturday, June 28, when the participants begin to arrive, through the start of the games on Sunday, June 29, until the event wraps up Wednesday, July 2, and the participants depart on Thursday, July 3. Volunteers are needed to work shifts in roles such as greeters, baggage handlers, guides on campus; staff for the expo booths; hospitality and meal workers; setting up sites, assisting with the individual games, and helping to tear down and clean up the sites.

Volunteer can sign up online by calling or emailing Carol Kick at 479-443-4301, extension 65067, or carol.kick@va.gov. 

The National Veterans Golden Age Games is the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program for veterans 55 and older who receive health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility. The Golden Age Games include checkers, dominoes, table tennis, bowling, horseshoes, swimming, badminton, 9-ball, air rifle, golf, javelin, shot put, discus, power walk, precision walk, shuffleboard, cycling, and the Fayetteville exhibition sports of fly tying and fly casting. Each event has seven age categories. Winners in several of these events qualify to compete in the National Senior Games.