PA World War II veterans, some 100 years old, mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day

The kamikaze plane wasn’t more than 90 feet away, about the length of a basketball court. Its intended target was Edward Czechowski and his crew.

The 20-year-old Navy coxswain acted quickly, shooting down the plane with a 20-millimeter machine gun and saving his crew. Czechowski said the Japanese pilot had been firing right at his stomach, and his captain didn’t understand how the bullets didn’t hit him.

“Well, I know what it was,” said the Reading resident, now 100. “I said my prayers every morning and night, and He was with me. He saved my life.”

The Catholic son of Polish immigrants — who decades later would trade war stories and salutes with a former kamikaze pilot over Zoom — was among 15 World War II veterans and one female wartime factory worker at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day in Emmaus on Friday. The event, held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, was organized by the Lehigh Valley chapter of the Battle of the Bulge Association.

“It is extremely important for their legacy to be preserved,” said event organizer and chapter member Meta Binder, the daughter of a World War II veteran. “They’re my heroes and inspiration. Let us never forget their sacrifices.”

Chapter president Steve Savage, who came from Florida to attend, called the veterans a “close-knit family.”

“That’s the best part about this whole thing, just to hear the stories that these guys have,” he said.

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  Army Air Corps veteran Joseph Haenn talks with an attendee at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  U.S. Navy veteran Edward Czeckowski talks to attendees at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  PFC William Balabanow of the Merchant Marines is accompanied by friend and neighbor, Kitty Smith at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  The Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association held a V-J Day event to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. WWII veterans were in attendance. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  “Rosie the Riveter” Dottie Trate, punch press operator, talks to attendees at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Shawana Serpe of the Magnolia Sadies Vintage Dancers talks with Dottie Trate, punch press operator at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  PFC James Determan autographs a WWII gun used at Iwo Jima at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Shawana Serpe of the Magnolia Sadies Vintage Dancers talks with Dottie Trate, punch press operator, at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Navy veteran Milton Ripple, left, and Army veteran Frank Stellar greet attendees at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  The Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association held a V-J Day event to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. WWII veterans were in attendance. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Army Air Corps veteran Joseph Haenn autographs a WWII gun used at Iwo Jima at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Army veteran STF Eli Rouzan talks with an attendee at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  PFC Russell Sattazahn shows his Purple Heart he received after loosing his right hand in battle, at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  PFC Russell Sattazahn displayed his Purple Heart at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association held a V-J Day event to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. WWII veterans were in attendance. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  U.S. Navy veteran Edward Czeckowski talks to attendees at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  “Rosie the Riveter,” Dottie Trate, who was a punch press operator, talks to attendees at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Navy veteran Robert Pearce talks with an attendee at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Navy veteran Eli Rouzan is seen in this vintage photograph in front of his plane , which was shown at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  PFC William Balabanow of the Merchant Marines autographs a flag at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Navy Seabee Edward Conrad autographs a bandana at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)
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  Navy veteran Eli Rouzan talks with an attendee at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)

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Army Air Corps veteran Joseph Haenn talks with an attendee at the V-J Day event Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus. The event was held by Lehigh Valley Chapter 55 of the Battle of the Bulge Association to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. While Sept. 2, 1945, was the day Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, some commemorations recognize the date as Aug. 14, 1945, the day fighting with Japan ended and the armistice was declared. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)

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Indeed, the veterans had many stories to share. Some, like Army veteran Harry Bean of Norristown, fondly recalled venturing overseas for the first time.

“I went to Switzerland,” while stationed in Italy, said Bean, 99. “I love that country. When I went there, it really felt more like home.”

Others, like Robert Pearce of Lower Macungie Township, told gruesome tales. He recounted a Philippine guerrilla fighter parading the head of a Japanese soldier.

“I remember the horror of it,” said Pearce, 102, who served as a Navy aviation weather specialist. “When I was 19 years old, I didn’t believe, ‘What am I looking at here?’ I didn’t even know that a human being could do something like that to another.”

The veterans told their stories to anyone willing to listen over the course of an hour-long meet-and-greet. They displayed medals, tokens and photos from the war. Children buzzed around asking for autographs on flags and handkerchiefs. Some people recorded conversations with the veterans.

Savage, the veterans’ group chapter president, said his group hosted more veterans this year than it ever has. He credited the high turnout to Tyler Boland, a microcelebrity among World War II enthusiasts who is on a quest to interview every living veteran from the conflict.

“I would totally be fine with being included in the article or whatever, but it’s about them,” Boland said. The 21-year-old Albright College senior said he ferried four veterans to the event in his Honda Civic.

“I’m just their friend,” he said.

A 10-year-old author was also part of the festivities. James Papalia, who drove two and a half hours from New Jersey with his dad, has written two books that see him time-travel to different scenes in the war.

“The one goal I have is making my generation remember what you guys did for our freedom,” said the boy, one of just a handful to wear a suit and tie to the event.

There are about 7,000 living World War II veterans in Pennsylvania, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The U.S. is projected to lose its last World War II veterans within the next two decades.

The dwindling numbers of World War II veterans are what made an event like Friday’s so important to the attendees. Most people don’t live to see the 80th anniversary of anything they’ve participated in.

Asked what the Allied victory over Japan meant to him, Pearce, the Lower Macungie resident, thought for a moment.

“I had been in the Navy for four years,” he said. “What it meant to me was I was going home.”

Trebor Maitin is a freelance writer.