Slatington will pay homage to its legacy on the most patriotic day of the year.

The 31st annual Heritage Day Celebration will take place at 10 a.m., July 4, at the Slatington Baptist Church on 509 Main Street at the corner of Main and Second streets.Jason Breidinger, president of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, will preside as Master of Ceremonies. The Northern Lehigh Community Band, under the direction of Theodore Steinbrecher and the Northern Lehigh Freedom Chorus, under the direction of Anna Mary Milot, will provide music throughout the ceremony.The featured speaker for the event will be Major Nathan Kline, USAF, Retired. Kline has 42 years of active and ready reserve time. He retired in Aug. of 1984.Kline enlisted in the USAAF in November 1942. From March 1944 to April 1945, he flew 65 bombing missions as a bombardier/navigator in B-26 Marauders assigned to the 454th Bomb Squadron, 323 Bomb Group, 9th Air Force based in England and Europe. All missions were flown in the European Theater of Operations (ETO).He has received numerous awards, such as the Distinguished Flying Cross; The Air Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf cluster and 4 Bronze Oak Leaf clusters which equates to 10 Air Medals; 4 Bronze Battle Stars for ETO ribbon; French Legion of Honor by the French Government in Paris, France on June 5, 2009.Kline's last Ready AA Reserve assignment was Dec. 1971, as Assistant Branch Chief, Defense Industrial Supply, and Directorate Procurement & Protection in Philadelphia. He also completed "National Security Management" course with the Industrial College of the Armed Forces on Oct 73.Presently, Kline is liaison to the military for the city of Allentown, and serves as President Emeritus of Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council, which was a founding member.He also is board member of Military Officers of America (MOOA), and a selected board member representing Senator Arlan Spector for the National Military academies.Kline serves as an Executive Board member of the Honorary First Defenders and a board member of the Lehigh Valley Historical/Society museum.He is the consummate business adviser, being on the board of the Allentown Economic Development Corp. and the city of Allentown Real Estate Development Corp.Kline's experience and expertise span many decades. He is known and respected by professional and philanthropic organizations worldwide.Kline is an Allentown native, attended Muhlenberg College, and is a 32nd Degree Mason.The celebration is a combined effort of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and community volunteers.