Chookie Bennetti, looks at a flag honoring his brother, World War II veteran William Bennetti, during a ceremony at the Sons and Daughters of Italy on Saturday. William died serving in 1944. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

Chookie Bennetti, right, accepts a plaque and flag honoring his brother, World War II veteran, William Bennetti, from Donald Finnegan from Honor and Remember veterans organization Saturday at the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 1664. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 04/24/22

Nearly 78 years after his brother William’s combat death in France, 90-year-old Chookie Bennetti received a remembrance flag as the only surviving member of his family Saturday at Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 1664.

Representatives from the Honor and Remembrance organization presented the personalized flag to Chookie in front of nearly 50 friends and family members.

The honor was a complete surprise to Chookie.

“I’ll tell you what, you see these tears coming out of my eyes? That’s the gratitude I show,” he said.

“For someone to consider us for this honor is amazing,” said Shari Bennetti, Chookie’s wife.

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