DeKALB – On Sunday, 91-year-old Charles Bennett attended his first-ever Chicago Bears game, and it was an experience he and his family will never forget.

During the third quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Bennett was recognized for his 20 years of service in the U.S. Army as part of the Bears/Boeing Military Salute. At each Bears home game, a member of the military is honored with an on-field recognition. Members of the military are identified through a partnership with the USO of Illinois.

Bennett was brought down to the field with his son Justin and two granddaughters, where he was honored for his military service by a crowd of more than 60,000 people.

“It was special, something really great,” Bennett said. “And at age 91, I never thought I’d have anything like that. It was really nice. It was an honor.”

Justin Bennett walked with his father onto the field.

“I could not stop grinning as we were walking together,” Justin Bennett said. “I’m very proud of him. Growing up, you see him as your dad, not for his military service. He sacrificed a lot during those years.”

Justin said his father “loved every minute” of the experience.

“I’ve never seen him happier,” he said. “He was so happy, ecstatic. He was waving and smiling. You could just tell how much it meant to him.”

Charles Bennett has been a Chicago Bears fan ever since he was stationed in the Chicago area during his time in service. One of his favorite Bears players has always been William “The Refrigerator” Perry.

“I watched the games when I was in Chicago, and when I got out of the service, I went automatically to being a Bears fan,” he said. “I always watched the games on TV. I loved ‘The Fridge.’”

Bennett was born in 1930 in Gladwin, Michigan. In 1947, when he was 17 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army with Unit Company C, Second Battalion, 18th infantry in San Francisco, California.

Throughout his 20-year military career, Bennett served as part of the occupation of Japan, stationed in Tokyo in 1948 as part of the GHQ Guard Company. One day before his three-year enlistment ended in 1950, the Korean War broke out. His enlistment was extended a year, and he continued his service in Fairbanks, Alaska as a rifleman, mortar section. In 1954, he served in Manheim, Germany in the second armored division. In 1962, he served in Crailsheim, Germany, acting as supply sergeant in the armored division. He retired after serving as supply sergeant in Vietnam in 1967.

During his time in the Army, Bennett was awarded the Occupation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

After retiring from the Army, Bennett worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years.

Bennett said he enlisted at age 17 “because he wanted to.” Bennett was one of eight siblings and his other three brothers also served in the Army, two during World War II, one during the Korean War. His uncle retired from the U.S. Navy after serving for 20 years.

“I’m very proud to be an American,” Bennett said. “If anybody’s thinking of going [into the military service], I think they should go in. You’re putting your life in harm’s way, they ship you overseas, especially if there’s a war going on, but you’re doing it for your country.”

Bennett said that he has no travel goals, after recently taking trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Las Vegas, Nevada, but he looks forward to reaching the age of 101 in 10 years.

“It’s been a good life, really,” he said. “I’ve had bad times, I’ve had good times, and I’m still happy.”