Lehigh Commissioners, on Sept. 12, paid homage to one of the county’s most illustrious residents - Joseph R. Zeller, “statesman, patriot and recipient of the Freedom Foundation Award.”

Zeller was honored on the occasion of his 100th birthday on Sept. 19.

In a special resolution, commissioners thanked Zeller “for a lifetime of service to his community and his country.”

The resolution described Zeller as one who brought “unbounded vision, impassioned drive and unmitigated commitment to virtually any issue he addressed ...”

Zeller, of Lowhill Township, served five terms (1971-1980) in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where he served the 134th Legislative District, in a seat currently held by Ryan Mackenzie.

Zeller also served two terms as mayor of Emmaus Borough and four years as Emmaus Borough councilman.

A Penn State graduate with a degree in electrical engineering, and veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he is a 70-year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

He was the first commander and founder of Post 12099, Allentown.

During WWII, he served as a chief aviation electrician on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger CV-4 in the Atlantic.

From Nov. 8-16, 1942, he saw combat in Operation Torch off Casablanca which landed American troops in Africa where they began the Allied invasion against German forces and their Vichy French allies.

Almost a year later, Zeller participated in Operation Leader off the coast of Norway on Oct. 4, 1943, when U.S. and British forces attacked German shipping near Bodø, Norway.

During the Korean War, he helped man an early warning system in the Artic.

“The young people should get involved so they can be part of the community,” Zeller said during a recent interview.

He was asked what advice he has for the younger generation.

“Work for the people. Help them,” he said. “Be part of the community.”

Commissioners also recognized Clarence and Florence Smith of Slatington for “outstanding initiative in support of local, national and global humanitarian causes.

Clarence Smith has been following unclaimed property reports and trying to contact the rightful claimant who usually has no idea he or she may have unclaimed property.

When he locates a claimant and the unclaimed property, often money, is claimed, Smith takes no commission.

Instead, he suggests the claimant donate to Heifer International, a charity group that provides cows, chickens and other agricultural animals to families around the world.

“We believe that the collective power of economic development, food security and nutrition, and environmental sustainability can empower small-scale farmers on the path to living incomes,” the Smiths website states. “When those components are multiplied by the positive impacts of gender equality and social capital, communities achieve greater resilience and a sustainable reduction in hunger and poverty.”

Commissioners cited the Smiths for the “countless hours volunteering and educating others on worthwhile causes.”

According to the citation, donations the Smiths collect “increase access to medicine, schools, food and a sustainable livelihood.

“Their efforts make the world a better place.”