The Woods at Cedar Run resident Eddie Beckford, far right, recently earned two bronze medals during the National Veteran Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. He placed third in both the 1500-meter and 3000-meter events.
Eddie Beckford Placed Third in Two Events at National Veteran Golden Age Games
CAMP HILL, Pa. – The Woods at Cedar Run senior living community is home to a two-time national bronze medalist.
Independent Living resident Edwin “Eddie” Beckford, 77, placed third in both the 1500-meter run/walk and 3000-meter run/walk in his age group during the recent 38th National Veteran Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“It was really awesome,” said Beckford, who regularly walks at The Woods. “We participated as a big group, but it was broken down into age groups. I participated in the 1500 and the 3000 and won the medals. I participated in the 800 but didn’t medal.”
A native of New York City and longtime resident of Camp Hill, Beckford organized a round-table veterans’ group after he and his wife, Lura, moved to The Woods. The group meets regularly. His love of walking and a passion for participating in veteran-related causes inspired Beckford to travel to Salt Lake City.
“Eddie is an inspiration to our residents and our team,” said Amy Renaldi, LifeStages Director at The Woods at Cedar Run. “He has such an upbeat approach. Eddie always participates in activities and encourages others to be a part of these special events.”
A Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, Beckford was among 1,100 veteran athletes age 55 and older to compete in Salt Lake City. The National Veteran Golden Age Games offer sports and recreational competitive events designed to improve the quality of life for all older veterans.
IntegraCare senior living communities such as The Woods at Cedar Run embrace similar philosophies while encouraging seniors to “do more of what they love and less of what they do not.”
Beckford competed in the age 75-79 division. His third-place finishes earned him bronze medals in the 1500-meter run/walk (in a time of 15:49.14) and in the 3000-meter run/walk (28:15.47).
“I figured if I’d pick a long race, guys who were around my age might say, ‘Nah, not this one,’ and I’d have a better chance,” Beckford said, laughing. “They are beautiful medals.”
Beckford’s success at the National Veteran Golden Age Games didn’t surprise Jenn Kipe, Executive Operations Officer at The Woods at Cedar Run.
“We are proud of Eddie and his accomplishments,” Kipe said. “Eddie and his wife Lura are very involved in everything our residents do in our community. Eddie does not miss a day of being active.
“Eddie encourages our other residents to take walks with him and he’ll match their pace,” Kipe said. “He is understanding. He wants to get everybody on a little health kick.”
Beckford served in the Air Force’s 819th Red Horse (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers) and was stationed near Phu Cat and Qui Nhon in Vietnam while serving from September 1966 to August 1967.
Beckford and 380 other servicemen had a harrowing experience as an engine in their C-130 Hercules plane caught fire over the Pacific Ocean en route to Vietnam. The plane managed to land safely, but the near-death experience still resonates.
“I’m in an airplane again. The thoughts come up again,” Beckford said of his flight to Salt Lake City.
He explained why the memories are so strong.
“It took 72 hours to get there,” Beckford said of his unit’s flight to Vietnam 58 years ago. “The plane caught on fire, and we made an emergency landing. I always say even if you’re an atheist, if you’re in a plane that’s on fire, you are praying. I made a deal with God and said, ‘If you get me out of this mess in one piece, I owe you.’ I ended up (serving) 16 years in Israel as a missionary.”
Beckford continues to help others at The Woods, encouraging other residents to participate in activities.
“It was a blessing moving here,” he said. “It’s just a family atmosphere.”
For more information, contact Amy Renaldi, LifeStages Director, at arenaldi@integracare.com or 717.737.3373.