The Calvert Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially declared May to be “Older Americans Month” in Calvert County with a proclamation at their meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Since 1963, Americans have celebrated the contributions and accomplishments of our older generations.
Older Americans Month was established in 1963. Only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. In April 1963, President John F Kennedy met with the National Council of Senior Citizens and that served as a prelude to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month”. President Jimmy Carter in 1980 renamed May as “Older Americans Month”.
For 2015, the theme is Get Into the Act, which is fitting for our older citizens, who are productive, active, and influential, sharing talents, wisdom and life experiences with their families, friends and neighbors.
An increasing number of adults are reaching retirement age and remaining stronger and more active than in the past and deserve recognition for the contributions they have made and for the continuing contributions to the culture, economy, and character of our community and nation.
The Calvert BOCC, by the proclamation, let it be known that they honor and are indebted to Calvert County’s older citizens for their lifetime achievements and service to their county.
Margit Miller / Calvert Beacon