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Maryland Veterans to Compete in the Golden Age Games

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A group of Maryland seniors are proving you can be strong at any age.

They're putting their fitness to the the ultimate test this weekend. Amy Yensi stopped by the Loch Raven VA for their final training.

U.S. Army veteran Grant Edwards has been working on his upper body strength as he squeezed in one final practice before the competition.

"I do bowling, horse shoe, air rifle and shuffle board are my four events," Edwards said.

Seventeen veterans from Maryland are taking part in this year's Golden Age Games.

The seniors and patriots train twice a week to get in shape.

John Dicks, who fought in World War II, is the eldest vet on team Maryland and is a young-hearted 91 year old.

"This training keeps me in good shape. The lord says if you don't use it, you lose it and I don't have nothing to lose," Dicks said.

The national competition is for veterans ages 55 and older.

"I've been retired since 2006 and just sitting in the house is not me," said Rene V. Marshall, an Army and National Guard veteran who was hurt during a tour in Iraq and also a former Baltimore County police officer.

"To keep seniors active and involved in different sporting events," said coach and therapist Sharon Taylor-Johnson. "To keep the quality of life going for them."

The Maryland team competes every year and has brought home multiple medals. This year, they want to break their own record. They'll be facing off with hundreds of other veterans.

"Winning is not everything but we do want to win. But it's also for the camaraderie and to meet different people from different states," Edwards said.

The competition is May 7-12 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

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