Celebrating AARP Lehigh Valley's Patriot of the Year Award

AARP Lehigh Valley received the prestigious Patriot of the Year Award from Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council during their 21st Annual Salute to the Troops Dinner at DeSales University on May 10, 2024.

On hand to receive the award were AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh, Associate State Director for Community Outreach in the Lehigh Valley and Veteran and Military Families (VMF) State Liaison Kellie VonStein, and Lehigh Valley Volunteers Ron and Milly Liable, and Barbera Frey.

Dedication to Our Veteran Community
The Patriot of the Year Award is bestowed upon an organization that has demonstrated exceptional dedication to benefiting the veteran community. The citation reads: “For your active participation and dedication to assist your fellow citizens live a happy and healthy lifestyle in your community, state, and nation.” This accolade is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers who have significantly contributed to the well-being of veterans and military families in the area.

Also recognized during the Salute to Troops Dinner were AARP Lehigh Valley volunteers Ron and Milly Laible, who were presented with Certificates of Appreciation. These certificates recognize their valuable contributions to furthering the mission of the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council to assist veterans, military members, and their families, and raise awareness of the military community in the Lehigh Valley.

With over 400,000 veterans plus their families, living, working, and enriching the communities in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, AARP Lehigh Valley volunteers and staff are committed to supporting them by providing helpful information, resources, and connections and were honored to receive the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council’s 2024 Patriot of the Year Award.

Our Initiatives and Efforts
AARP Lehigh Valley VMF volunteers are deeply involved in various initiatives that are making tangible differences in the lives of veterans, active military members and their families:

• Monthly Council Meetings: VMF volunteers regularly attend the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council meetings, ensuring that veterans’ voices are heard and their needs are met.
• Military Food Boxes: Each month, our VMF volunteers pack military food boxes at Second Harvest Food Bank, providing essential supplies to veterans and their families.
• Card Writing Campaigns: VMF volunteers write cards to veterans and active military members, offering them words of encouragement and appreciation.
• Hidden Heroes Counties: Through collaboration with Elizabeth Dole Foundation, AARP Lehigh Valley successfully worked with a Pennsylvania Dole Fellow to achieve Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties designations for both Lehigh and Northampton Counties. These distinctions underscores AARP’s commitment to better serve military and veteran caregivers throughout the Lehigh Valley.
• Salute to Service Awards: During the IronPigs baseball season, VMF volunteers present Salute to Service awards at all 75 home games, honoring veterans and military members for their service.

Moving Forward
Receiving the Patriot of the Year Award is an immense honor and motivates us to continue our work with renewed vigor. We are committed to expanding our efforts and finding new ways to support the veteran community in the Lehigh Valley.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council for this recognition and to all our volunteers whose dedication and hard work made this possible. Together, we can ensure that our veterans and military families receive the support and recognition they deserve.

For more information about our programs and how you can get involved, please contact us at paaarp@aarp.org.