ROSENHAYN – April 29 may not be a date marked in U.S. military history, but it is now one on the record books for the only Catholic War Veterans Post in the Diocese of Camden.
That was the day World War II veteran John A. Hatala Jr., 99, was formally welcomed into the Catholic War Veterans Post 1578 (Immaculate Conception Memorial) during a ceremony at his residence.
“We’re happy to come into your home and welcome you into our membership,” said Father Matthew Weber, the post’s chaplain, who was accompanied by nine CWV members.
“I feel honored,” the soft-spoken veteran said with his wife, Louise, also 99, by his side. Standing nearby with smiles on their faces were his daughter, Lisa Waechter, son-in-law Dennis and grandson Brian; as well as his son Jack and daughter-in-law Susan.
In joining CWV Post 1578, Hatala now becomes its oldest member and third World War II veteran. The Immaculate Conception Memorial includes 100 members, whom range in age from their 20s to 90s, from all branches of the U.S. military.
In addition to a salute to Old Glory, prayers for deceased veterans and the closing song “God Bless America,” the fraternity’s induction of Hatala included learning more about the veteran, his wife of 75 years and their life.
“For the past eight years, I’ve been bringing Holy Communion and anointing of the sick to John, Louise and their family,” explained Father Weber, pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton, of which the Hatalas are members. “During my visits, John told me stories, and when I learned that he was a second lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II as a navigation instructor, I invited him to join [Post 1578].”
Born April 16, 1925, John Hatala Jr. was raised on a farm in Depression-era Vineland, spending all his days among crops such as beets, carrots, beans and eggplant. In 1943, at age 18, he enlisted to serve his country during World War II, and trained as a navigator at Louisiana’s Selman Field.
Achieving the rank of second lieutenant, he became a navigation instructor, and over the Gulf of Mexico, trained bombardiers to also be navigators during the war.
Discharged in 1946, he enrolled in Purdue University in Indiana. Two years later, he married Louise Platoni at Vineland’s Sacred Heart Church. In 1949, he graduated from Purdue with a degree in electrical engineering, and was recruited by RCA in Marion, Indiana. He soon returned to his home state; among his employers was Struthers-Dunn Company in Pitman, where, for 27 years, he designed electrical reel relays until his retirement in 1987. These relays would later be for submarine sonar, radar systems for military aircraft and more.
Since retirement, Hatala has stayed busy with woodworking, including building a shrine for a statue of Saint Martin de Porres. He also stays physically active, crediting his longevity to walking. At a former residence, for example, he created a quarter-mile-long track around his property.
“Get off your butt and walk,” he said, laughing.
His greatest achievement, though, are his children: Lisa, Jack and Greg.
Of the Catholic War Veterans visit, Lisa Waechter said she was grateful “for these men to come and welcome my father into their organization. It means a lot to him.”
For Father Weber, the warm welcome was not just for Hatala, but for his entire family.
“We want to thank him for his service, and honor him and his generation for all the sacrifices they have made,” he said. “At the same time, it’s important to surround his family with a sense of unity and make them feel involved.”
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