Provided by Boise Veterans Affairs Medical CenterBob Schaney bowls in competition in the Golden Age Games that took place in August in Indianapolis.
By DAVID KENNARD — dkennard@idahostatesman.com
A team of military veterans from Boise brought home a collection of medals recently after competing in the 22nd annual Golden Age Games in Indianapolis.
And while the event focused on competition, everyone who went said the camaraderie with teammates and those from other states is what they will remember most.
Bob Schaney just missed taking home the bronze medal in horseshoes after overthrowing the stake. What appeared to be an error allowed his competitor — who is visually impaired — to take home the medal in a very close competition.
"He was so happy. He never medaled before," Schaney said. "His coach came up to me after the match and said, 'you did that on purpose, didn't you.' But I’ll tell you seeing the smile on his face, that was better than winning."
Schaney has been to the Golden Age Games almost every year since it began.
Next year the games take place in Birmingham, Ala., where several thousand competitors, coaches and family members will come together to celebrate the spirit of competition among military veterans.
Unlike the Olympic games, the Golden Age Games feature less athletic competition, although the skill levels remain high.
Bennie Yows of Boise has been shooting pool ever since he was a young boy growing up in Harlem.
His skills at Nine Ball earned him a silver medal.
"When we're playing we play to win," Yows said. "But win or lose we all get together afterward. It’s a friendly atmosphere."
Schaney and Yows were among the 13 members of the "Spudinators" that brought home 26 medals.
Coach Valerie Duffy also earned the "Coach of the Year" award at the games.
Duffy was nominated for the honor by Dewayne Vaughan, director of the games.
"She is very caring and supportive of her veterans, always keeping up with all of them to make sure they have what they need," Vaughan said. "Her veterans know they can always count on her to go above and beyond for them."
Duffy and her Spudinators have become notorious at the games, each year handing out thousands of tiny potato-shaped pins similar to Olympic games trading pins.
And when they walked through the airport in their bright orange shirts and their heavy medals jingling around their necks, they introduced others to their winning spirit.
The Spudinators conduct fundraising events through the year to help fund the nearly $1,000 expense for each veteran to compete.
Golden Age Games competitions are open to all U.S. military veterans age 55 or older who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility.
Support from local veterans groups as well as staff from the Boise VA Medical Center make the event possible, but funds are all raised locally.
Events include swimming, bicycling, bowling, croquet, air rifle, golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, discus and shot put.
"Staying active and healthy through sports and fitness is important to all our nation’s veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "We are proud to offer the Golden Age Games as a premier sporting event for our senior veterans."
David Kennard: 377-6436
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