Senior and disabled vets bowl for Golden Ages Games

Senior and disabled veterans from all over the country are on the Coast for the 2017 Golden Age Games. Today, Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi took part.
News 25’s Gina Tomlinson takes us inside today’s Golden Age Games bowling tournament.
“I have not had a bowling ball in my hands since I was 16 and it was in 1944.” Now Navy veteran Adrienne Mohamed is 85. Adrienne has competed in the National Golden Age Games for 26 years and no medical problems were going to put a stop to that number striking 27. “I signed on the paperwork the doctor approved for me to come. He said, ‘I don’t know what you’re going to do over there.’ I said, ‘I know. I’m going over there to see my friends and I’m going to have a good time and I am!”
Senior and disabled veterans filled the lanes for the Golden Age Games bowling tournament held at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. Some of the vets are in wheel chairs or are visually impaired. Vietnam veteran Charles Zimmer said, “I have what they call pigmatosa, which is a visual impairment. My retinas are slowly degenerating in both eyes.”
But none of them are letting health conditions or disabilities throw a good time in the gutter.
The games are designed to improve the quality of life for veterans and are held for veterans who receive health care from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. Bowling tournament lead official Jennifer Jordan said, “The biggest thing is it’s all a part of the whole rehab process, to keep them active, healthy, and fit.”
Veterans say it’s all about having fun. “(Ok, so my highest score is 75. What’s yours?) About 156, 160.”
“I’ve had one 300 in my life. One 300 game back in 2002.”
“It really gives you something to do.You get out of the house and a chance to meet other veterans.”