In honor of Older Americans Month, 16 individuals were honored during the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services 16th annual Tribute to Unsung Heroes May 18 at Asbury United Methodist Church, South Whitehall Township.

This tribute honors older adults in the Valley who have exhibited exceptional generosity with their time and talents to enrich the lives of others in the community.

Tiffany Winkle, supervisor for community services and support in the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services commented on the event.

“This year’s theme, ‘Blaze a Trail,’ emphasizes the ways older adults are reinventing themselves through new work and new passions, engaging their communities, and blazing a trail of positive impact on the lives of people of all ages,” Winkle said.

Some of the honorees at this year’s tribute include Maj. Nathan Kline, U.S. Air Force retired a WWII veteran from Upper Macungie Township, William and Ruth Ann McCay of North Whitehall Township, Elaine J. Conner of South Whitehall Township, and Carol A. Resh of Lowhill Township.

Kline, 91, with 42 years of active and reserve time, received the award for his dedication as an advocate for veterans.

Since retiring, Kline has served his comrades and community in numerous capacities from raising funds for scholarships for deployed service members’ children, to expanding and improving treatment for post traumatic stress disorder and drug and alcohol dependency, to assisting in erasing the shame of having any homeless veteran in the Lehigh Valley, to managing the assembly and shipment of care packages to active military, to assisting veterans with job placement and their medical needs, Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services states.

Kline spoke with The Press about his award at the tribute.

“I consider it a great honor to have been nominated for this wonderful reward for my life,” he said.

Ruth Ann McCay also spoke with The Press about her and her husband mentoring the youth at Jordan UCC.

“You can’t do what you do without your family, friends and church,” she stated.

William and Ruth Ann McCay, received their award for embodying the essence of what it means to be “young at heart” in serving as mentors in guiding and directing the youth into a life of purpose, meaning and direction in honoring God and serving others at Jordan United Church of Christ, South Whitehall Township.

According to Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services, Conner received her award for being a life-long advocate for education and for volunteering at Camp Compass, an organization which teaches inner-city children about nature, hunting and fishing.

Conner was also nominated for her years of volunteering at the Oakmont Tennis Club, a not-for-profit organization in Allentown and teaching people to play tennis.

Resh also commented on her nomination and volunteer work.

“I want to thank Ann [Wertman] for nominating me,” Resh said. “I couldn’t do what I do without my husband Charlie as my answering service.”

Resh, received the award for her volunteer work with American Gold Star Mothers, Wreaths Across America, Patriot Guard Riders and Warriors Watch Riders to honor her son Mark, an Apache Helicopter pilot and Silver Star Recipient who was killed while serving in Iraq nine years ago.

Prior to recipients and guest enjoying cake and punch, Winkle closed the tribute by congratulating the 16 honors and thanking them for demonstrating and teaching everyone around them timeless lessons of courage, sacrifice and selfless giving.

“Your values of hard work, determination and compassion benefit everyone and truly make a difference in our lives,” Winkle said. “You are an inspiration to everyone both young and old and we hope you continue blazing those trails”