Port Angeles’ Gerald Rettela was a double honoree at the 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh in July.

The 88-year old Rettela proved his mettle in racquetball, earning a silver medal in Men’s Doubles and a bronze in Men’s Singles in the 85-to-89 age bracket.

Rettela also was recognized for his commitment to a healthy lifestyle, the Games and community service — one of just five individuals selected for the honor out of 10,097 senior athletes and 300 racquetball players by Games’ sponsor Humana.

“It was quite an honor to be chosen and it came as a complete surprise when they contacted me prior to the games,” Rettela said.

Photo by Andrew Rush/AP Images for Humana Inc. Gerald Rettela, 88, a Port Angeles native, was one of 28 athletes selected for national recognition as a Humana Game Changer, which celebrates athletes’ commitment to healthy aging and their encouragement, motivation and inspiration to people of all ages to get active.

A Korean War veteran and president of the Korean War Veterans Association’s Olympic Peninsula chapter, Rettela worked with state legislators to see portions of state Routes 112 and 113 formally dedicated as the Korean War Veterans Blue Star Memorial Highway.

He also was part of efforts to dedicate the Tumwater Truck Route, otherwise known as state Highway 117, as the POW/MIA Memorial Highway.

Also earning medals at the games were father-son track and field duo Charles and Philip Milliman of Sequim, both longtime National Senior Games competitors.

Charles Milliman, competing in the 90-94 age category earned a gold medal in the high jump (2-11.43), silver in the long jump (6-2.41) and a bronze in the pole vault (3-11.24) and 1,500-meter race (14:40.20). He also placed fifth in the 50 meter-race (12.61) and sixth in the 100 meters (26.96).

Philip Milliman, competing n the In the 70-74 age division, pole vaulted to gold with a 10-0.08 mark. He also tied for fifth in the high jump (4-3.18).

The 2023 National Senior Games awarded medals in 19 events: archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cornhole, cycling 5-kilometer, 10k, 20k, 40k, golf, pickleball, power walk 1500-meters, 5k, racquetball, road race 5k and 10k, shuffle board, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, triathlon, triathlon relay and volleyball.

Fifty states were represented as well as eight countries: Barbados, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

There were 140 representatives from Washington state.

Photo by Andrew Rush/AP Images for Humana Inc. / Racquetball player Gerald Rettela, 88, practices for his competitions at the 2023 National Senior Games on July 13 in Pittsburgh. Rettela, a Port Angeles native, was one of 28 athletes selected for national recognition as a Humana Game Changer, which celebrates athletes’ commitment to healthy aging and their encouragement, motivation and inspiration to people of all ages to get active. Not only does Rettela serve on the racquetball court, but he also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and even after his time in the military ended, he didn’t stop serving others. Each month for the last 14 years, Rettela has purchased hundreds of hot dogs and delivered them three hours from his hometown to the USO for troops leaving the United States from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.