Houston veterans bring home Golden Age Games awards

Thirty-one local veterans recently took part in the 26th National Veterans Golden Age Games in St. Louis bringing home six gold, four silver and six bronze medals.

The National Veterans Golden Age Games are for U.S. military veterans age 55 and older who compete in events such as horseshoes, air rifle, nine-ball, golf, croquet and swimming.

“The Golden Age Games is truly a life-saving program for our nation’s veterans and life-affirming for all those who have attended them,” said Marilyn Iverson, Veterans Canteen Service director, in a press release. “An active lifestyle is vital to everyone’s health and well-being, and can serve as one of the best tools to health maintenance as well as disease prevention. The Veterans Canteen Service is committed and proud to serve as a co-sponsor to the 26th National Veterans Golden Age Games.”

Eleven veterans took home medals for the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center with help from coaches Stacey Spicer, JeMarques Handy, Kelly Roux, Billie Jean Sanders and Solomon Green.

“Everyone had a great time during the competitions,” said Spicer, “plus the veterans thoroughly enjoyed the trapshooting exhibition and visiting the Gateway Arch and riverfront, historic Union Station and attending a Grizzlies baseball game.”

Winning veterans included Rena Dugat, who won a bronze medal in checkers and gold in bowling; JoAn Lance, who won bronze in checkers and gold in bowling; Mack Thrash, who won bronze in shuffleboard and bronze in bowling; Joseph Bartholow, who won bronze in shuffleboard; Billy Lacy, who won silver in bowling; George Henry, who won gold in dominoes; Norris Honeycutt, who won silver in horseshoes; August Gonsoulin, who won silver in table tennis; and Marvin Weatherspoon, who won two gold medals in cycling.

Next year, the games will be hosted by the Buffalo, N.Y., VA Medical Center.

For more information, visit www.veteransgoldenageagmes.va.gov.