- December 4, 2025
Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie, Ormond Beach Police Officer Rafael Medina, Lt. Tom Larsen, Officer Mike Simas and WWII Veteran John Jeckovich speaks with Debbie Kruck-Forrester, of Ormond Strong. Photo courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach/Pauline Dulang
WWII Veteran John Jeckovich speaks with Debbie Kruck-Forrester, of Ormond Strong. Photo courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach/Pauline Dulang
WWII Veteran John Jeckovich greets Ormond Beach Fire Battalion Chief Jeremiah Ingraham. Photo courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach/Pauline Dulang
Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie greets WWII Veteran John Jeckovich during his 100th birthday celebration. Photo courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach/Pauline Dulang
WWII Veteran John Jeckovich celebrates his 100th birthday. Photo courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach/Pauline Dulang
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood greets WWII Veteran John Jeckovich Photo courtesy of Jen Jeckovich
WWII Veteran John Jeckovich celebrates his 100th birthday. Photo courtesy of Jen Jeckovich
A color guard takes part in celebrating WWII Veteran John Jeckovich's 100th birthday. Photo courtesy of Jen Jeckovich
Marching has long been one of World War II veteran John Jeckovich's favorite pastimes.
As a soldier, he loved to march. As a 100-year-old veteran, he loves to watch it happen. And on Saturday, Oct. 18, he watched as people marched in a small parade in honor of his centennial birthday at his assisted living facility in Ormond Beach.
"He loves to watch every kind of military parade that's out there on YouTube," said his daughter-in-law Jen Jeckovich. "He loves watching that, so to have a parade for him on his birthday, it was just super special."
John was born on Oct. 17, 1925. Originally of Niagara Falls, New York, John was drafted into the Army at 19 years old in 1942 and served until 1946. An Army infantry sergeant part of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 291st Regiment, of the 75th Infantry Division, John fought at the Battle of the Bulge during WWII.
"He was beat up, shot in the shoulder and behind, hip blown up, trench foot and suffered from frostbite," a press release states. "With shrapnel still lodged in his body, he was bandaged up and sent back to the frontlines with his unit."
For his time in the Army, John was awarded a Purple Heart, two Bronze Star medals. a WWII Victory Medal and others.
About 20 years ago, he wrote a book about his experience. It's not for sale — it was a personal project of his, Jen said. But for the past two years, he and his family have been reading excerpts from his book. These are shared daily on his YouTube channel, "The BulgeBuster."
"It's a great way for him to engage with us and making a routine for him," Jen said. "I think more families should do stuff like this where it becomes a fun thing to do and it helps him with his memory and all sorts of things. He feels like it's important, and it is — it is important what is message is about, teaching people what it was like during WWII and then also setting an example to the younger generation on how to live a good, clean life."
It helps his family learn new things about his time in the Army as well. For example, they found out John was among the soldiers who broke the chains and locks to the gates of many concentration camps as well as those containing prisoners of war.
"He never talked about it until two years ago," Jen said of his time during WWII. "Really, very humble."
After serving in the military, John worked for a paper mill in Niagara Falls, New York, for 35 years. He and his wife, Delphine Stulack Jeckovich, were married for 69 years until her death in 2021. The press release states, "John always helped out his friends and family members’ home improvement projects where he specialized in woodworking." He moved to the area in the late 1970s.
In addition to about 40 family members, his birthday celebration on Saturday was attended by Ormond Beach city officials, the Ormond Beach Fire Department, Ormond Beach Police Department, the US Army Recruiting Office of Ormond Beach, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and Ormond Strong. Mayor Jason Leslie presented him with a city challenge coin and a 100th birthday certificate.
"I'm just flabbergasted at all the nice turnout," Jen said. "It was wonderful to honor such a hero and he really, truly is a national treasure."
She said John was a little bit overwhelmed, as a half-hour prior to his celebration, he had been at the hospital due to pneumonia. But he felt well enough to get back to his assisted living facility, Aden Senior Living, in time for his birthday.
"He's just a very stoic and wonderful person and I'm just proud of being part of the family and able to help put on a nice celebration for him, because he really loved that parade," Jen said.
To view John's YouTube videos, visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheBulgeBuster.
