In celebration of Older Americans Month, the City of Troy hosted a luncheon Wednesday for its senior citizens at The Studio in downtown Troy.

A large gathering of young-at-heart citizens listened appreciatively as Tonya Terry, “Today in Alabama” and “Alabama Live” WSFA personality, expressed gratitude for the wisdom, experience and insight of older Americans.

“I can’t express the gratitude that I feel for the older generation,” she said. “I love you. I appreciate you. I honor and respect you.”

Terry said she owes her success in the television industry to older Americans.

She became familiar with WTBF-Radio through her granddad, Charlie Terry, who read the morning devotional on the radio.

“It was so wonderful to hear my granddad’s voice coming over the radio,” she said. “So, when I had the opportunity to work at WTBF, I jumped at the chance.”

Terry said radio stalwarts, Asa Dudley and Joe Gilchrist, were “older Americans” who took her under wing and provided her with the guidance and training that provided a strong foundation for her career path.

She said the technology of today’s world can’t replace the wisdom and knowledge that comes with age and experience.

“As Older Americans, you have paved the way for us so that we don’t have to go where you have gone,” she said. “We can go forward.”

The theme for this year’s Older Americans Month is “Blaze a Trail” and Terry encouraged the city’s seniors to “get out there and be involved.”

“You still have much to give and we do appreciate you for all you have done and will do,” she said.

Troy Mayor Jason A. Reeves told the city’s seniors that today’s younger generations owe all they are to Older Americans.

“Older Americans have given me an example to live up to and work toward,” he said. “You have made our community what it is.”

The directors of the city’s two senior programs, Shelia Deveridge, Troy Nutrition Center, and Catherine Jordan, Colley Senior Complex, spoke to the senior groups.

Deveridge told the senior adults that they are the backbone of the city and the country. Jordan said the Older Americans in attendance have paved the way to where the city of Troy is today. Both directors thanked the senior adults for their many contributions and encouraged them to continue to blaze trails into the future.

Shelia Jackson, City of Troy public relations director, said the luncheon was a prime example of the togetherness of the city’s senior adults and how they continue to be contributing members of their community.