jdnews.com -- Jacksonville, NC -- It may be his first national competition, but Glenn McClary is in it for the gold.

He'll be among 11 North Carolinians and more than 500 nationwide competing in the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

The event, held in Spokane, Wash., begins Monday. It is part of a sports and rehabilitation program for military service veterans who use wheelchairs. The games, presented each year by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, are designed to encourage veterans to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle in spite of their disabilities.

McClary will be competing in basketball, archery, handcycling, air gun and nine-ball.