Just Call Me Nate!

“Just call me, Nate,” says 86-year-old Nathaniel Helman. “That’s why I’ve got it printed on my hat.” Nate is attending his fifth Golden Age Games, and is one of Helman the oldest veterans at this year’s Games. At registration, he was enthusiastic, despite not having arrived until 4:00 a.m. from California. Nate is a seasoned competitor at the Games, winning two gold medals in bowling. Although he was 80 years old when he attended his first Games, he immediately knew he’d found a new challenge. He began competing seriously at bowling when he was eliminated at the last moment from his two favorite events,dominos and checkers. This year, he’ll compete in those events as well as at bowling. Naturally, he’s hoping to add another gold medal. Referencing his military experiences in World War II, Nate stated, “I was always lucky behind me. But this time the shell had my name on it.” Nate is a single amputee and competes from a wheelchair. Nate’s old unit was at Normandy and Germany. The unit is now serving in Iraq. “I enjoy the Games so much,” said Nate, “that I’ve got to keep coming back. They’re always held in interesting places that are great to visit, and there’s always great people to meet. You can’t live in the past — you’ve got to keep going forward.”

Casino Night

Try your luck tonight with high stakes bingo and several table games at Casino Night under the tent! This event is co-spon- sored by the Veterans Canteen Service Head- quarters office in St. Louis, Missouri, and MCI telecommunications. The Veterans Canteen Service has nationally sponsored the Golden Age Games for the last five years. Their generosity also extends to VA’s other National Rehabilitation