How does someone who has lived 100 years look at the world?

For Angelo Bokeko, he has seen much of the world, not just its geographical locations but how it has changed and shaped during his time on Earth.

Bokeko celebrated his birthday June 26 at Emmaus Moravian Church on Main Street, Emmaus. Bokeko was accompanied by members of his family as they celebrated his centennial milestone. The event was catered by Mission BBQ and had multiple guests such as first responders of the Emmaus community, state Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-131st and the mayor of Emmaus, Lee Ann Gilbert.

Gilbert and many others helped oversee the ceremonies commemorating Bokeko’s service and many of his accomplishments in life.

What are some of Bokeko’s accomplishments you might ask?

At 20 years old, he served in the United States Army during World War II in the 13th Armored Division. This division was nicknamed “The Black Cats” as a joke to the superstition surrounding the number 13. It was California’s division and during the commencement, the troops had the privilege of guest appearances by California Gov. Earl Warren and Walt Disney.

As Bokeko reminisced, he relayed how his division started in France, made its way east to Germany and finally ended south in Austria. “Sometimes who knows where we were,” he said with a chuckle. “All we know is we went where the general wanted us and we didn’t stop until it was over.”

Bokeko also recalls the darker aspects the war brought. He scoffed at the idea of close calls but recalls how whenever the division would enter a new town, their commanding officer would always warn them of the trenches.

“The Germans were well-known for their trenches. We had to take it slow when we made our way down there. There was always the possibility of booby traps.” His division had also passed on the infamous concentration camps, the “smell” that came from it being too horrific for the human senses.

In the years since the war ended, Bokeko worked making furniture until his retirement in his late 60s. Bokeko became a father of four children including his daughter Carol Campbell, who organized the event at Emmaus Moravian Church. Campbell said she is very proud of her father’s achievements and wanted only the best for his 100th birthday. This included getting a special cake from Louie’s Bakery in Emmaus.

When asked how he felt after turning 100, he smiled and said, “I don’t really feel like 100. I would feel like I was 70 if only I moved a bit faster!”

He remarked on the changes that have been made in communication. “Kids these days have smartphones. But during the war, we had to rely on the telephone poles and making sure that you had the right amount of change to make the call.”

Other significant changes Bokeko compares are the railroads and the transportation systems. “When I was younger, I remember swimming in the Lehigh River and seeing the trains go by. It could take someone a couple of days to get from one side of the country to another by the railroad. Now it would only take a couple of hours by plane!”

In his retirement, Bokeko is a prominent member of the Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project. Their organization works to preserve and honor the experiences of veterans of all wars the United States has undertaken. Spokesperson Steve Savage remarked Bokeko is one of their most energetic members.

“When we went down to DC to see the memorials, Angelo was the one that seemed to run around the Reflecting Pool,” Savage said. “It was his first time there and he just wanted to see them all!”

As the birthday cake was about to be unveiled, Bokeko gave some final parting advice in the wake of his 100th birthday.

“The thing to remember is to find happiness and enjoy life. Make sure you take the opportunities that are given to you. I’ve been very lucky and I’m happy to have what life has given me.”