More than 800 veterans from 46 states are participating in the National Veterans Golden Age Games in Omaha.
The games begin Saturday evening. Participants are 55 and older, and enrolled in the VA health care system. 24 of those participants are veterans of World War Two.
VA of Nebraska-Western Iowa spokesman Will Ackerman says more than half of this year’s participants are Vietnam War veterans.
"It really focuses on part of the VA’s core values and mission, which is a healthy lifestyle, preventative health, and encouraging our veteran community to live healthy lives, because we all know that the healthier we are, the better we are at preventing disease and living a longer, healthier life."
This is the 29th year of the National Veterans Golden Age Games, and the first held in Omaha. Among the participants are about 30 veterans from the Nebraska-Western Iowa region.
Events will be held at five locations in Omaha, with most at the CenturyLink Center. More information is available at www.nebraska.va.gov.