Fitness for Life: Father and sons compete together at National Veterans Golden Age Games
At the 38th National Veterans Golden Age Games (Golden Age Games), camaraderie and competition are a family affair for Ray Tingstrom and his sons, Pete and Mick, as they demonstrate the enduring bonds of service and fitness.
Ray Tingstrom, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and Vietnam Veteran, has always believed in staying active. Raised on a ranch, Ray’s journey into fitness began early in his childhood and continued through high school sports, military service, and everyday life.
Ray served 30 years as a Field Artillery commander and Special Forces officer. He credits his long-standing fitness to physical training and a positive outlook on life. Now 82, Ray continues to lead an active lifestyle and will compete at the Golden Age Games for the sixth time.
“My goal is not only to have fun but, at 82, to set an example for other Veterans that age and physical ability don’t need to prevent someone from continuing to enjoy life in their senior years,” said Ray. “The addition of my sons joining me in the games only makes my experience sweeter.”
Now is the time: family bond through fitness
Both Pete and Mick, Ray’s sons, retired as Army Lieutenant Colonels.
Pete served in the Army for 30 years and held various Infantry, Special Forces and Aviation roles. His assignments included the 10th Mountain Division, 12th Special Forces Group, 82nd Airborne Division, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment and various special operations units. He has been deployed numerous times to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Philippines, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Pete will travel almost 3,000 miles with Team Hawaii to compete in the Golden Age Games.
“I have dealt with a lot of physical and mental issues over the last eight years and joining them to compete in the games gave me a goal to work towards. Watching my dad and brother compete in the games inspired me to join for the first time,” said Pete. “I’ve observed their fun over the last few years and was jealous I wasn’t making the time to join them. Now is the time.”
Mick who served for 27 years—first as an Infantry officer in the U.S. Army Reserves and then as an Intelligence officer on active duty, with stops at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Germany, the Pentagon, Washington D.C. and deployments to Afghanistan—found the games strengthened his relationship with Ray and motivated him to stay fit.
“Participating in the games with my dad the past three years has been healthy for our father-son relationship,” said Mick. “It wasn’t until I learned about my dad competing in the Golden Age Games and then joining him in the National Senior Games that I realized the benefits and necessity of pursuing healthy habits, including exercise, strength and good eating.”
Importance of Veterans’ fitness programs
Ray, Pete, and Mick emphasize the importance of programs like the Golden Age Games. These events allow Veterans to stay active, enjoy camaraderie and achieve their fitness goals. Ray pointed out that these programs offer numerous activities, from traditional sports to outdoor recreational events, encouraging all Veterans to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“VA lives up to its motto by offering these ‘Fitness for Life’ opportunities for Veterans,” said Ray. “Just in our regional community, I have seen dramatic changes in Veterans of all abilities and their outlook on life.”
Advice for fellow Veterans
The Tingstroms encourage other Veterans to participate in local community programs or VA Recreational Therapy. Each VA health care system has unique offerings—such as adaptive cycling or fly fishing—to support Veterans with movement for all abilities.
Pete suggests starting with simple activities like stretching and walking.
“Get involved locally. Start your day with mindfulness, gratitude, stretching or yoga, and go for a walk,” said Pete.
Mick believes in finding activities that bring joy and connection, such as sports or volunteering.
“A healthy lifestyle can be attained by deliberately choosing activities that lead to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual fitness,” said Mick. “It’s good for the soul. Just knowing I’m competing is hugely beneficial to my health. It makes me want to get in shape physically, be emotionally strong, learn new strategies, and it gives me joy to link up with Veterans from all over the country.”
Looking forward to the games
Ray, Pete, and Mick are excited about competing in the games together. Pete and Mick will play Boccia doubles together and against each other in Boccia singles.
“It will be like old times - one moment we are bros and friends, and then the next – arch enemies,” said Mick. “It’s going to be fun!”
During the 2022 Golden Age Games, Ray and Mick partnered for the first time to win a gold medal in Boccia doubles and a silver medal in badminton.
This year, Ray will compete in 11 events in five sports: badminton, pickleball, Boccia, cycling and swimming. He will also participate in the archery exhibition.
Mick will compete in five sports, including ten events: pickleball, swimming, Boccia, shuffleboard, and table tennis.
Pete, who has had two shoulder and right knee surgeries in the past year, will compete in shuffleboard, air rifle, air pistol, nine-ball and Boccia.
Staying active for life
For the Tingstrom family, staying active is a lifelong commitment.
“I found that strength, endurance and a positive and enthusiastic mindset placed me in the top percentage of healthy American men,” added Ray. “I’ve maintained that status ever since.”
Ray’s dedication to fitness inspires his sons, and together, they demonstrate that with determination and the proper support, Veterans can continue to lead active, fulfilling lives.
“Life is a gift, and I want to be the best version of myself today, tomorrow, and this August when the Golden Age Games competition begins,” said Mick.
A Tingstrom family tradition
“I look forward to the day I can participate with my kids,” said Mick. “The opportunity to be a team like my dad and I have.”
Mick’s oldest son, 31-year-old Tyler, graduated from West Point in 2015 and is an Apache helicopter pilot; he’d be eligible to participate in the 2048 games. Mick’s 27-year-old daughter, Britney, is an Army Reserves Captain, and she could join three years later, in 2051.
“I’m gonna come back and play with my grandkids,” said Ray.
“It would be great if you did,” said Mick. “We love our family, we love our get-togethers, we love competition, and we love playing in the games with one another.”
Ray’s youngest son, Jason, is still on active duty in the Air Force. He will be eligible to compete in the Golden Age Games in 2036.
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Jesus Flores is a writer & editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force and a Marine Corps Veteran.