ABITA SPRINGS, La. (WAFB) – Retired Army Lt. Col. Chester Pettey served through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam across a 26-year military career. At 101, he faced a different kind of loss — the death of his wife, Virginia.
Virginia Pettey died at the couple’s home in Abita Springs in March, just before Chester’s 101st birthday. The two had been married 33 years.
A final farewell at Arlington
This month, Honor Flight Louisiana arranged for Pettey to travel to Arlington National Cemetery, where Virginia was laid to rest with military honors as a military spouse.
Pettey recalled one special moment in their 33-year marriage…