WWII veteran laid to rest in Illinois, 73 years after death

29 October 2017, 9:37 pm

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Relatives of a World War II veteran who died in a 1944 battle in the Netherlands that was part of an Allied campaign, later depicted in the movie “A Bridge Too Far,” lay his remains to rest in central Illinois.

Mourners gathered at Springfield’s Camp Butler National Cemetery for the funeral of US Army Staff Sgt. Michael Aiello.

Aiello’s great-grandnephew, Brian Aiello, said the family now has a sense of relief, but there’s also sadness because many older relatives who knew Aiello have passed away during the last 15 to 20 years.

“We really wanted them to be here for this moment. It’s bittersweet, but it’s nice that he’s at least home now,” he tells The State Journal-Register .

— AP