Tony and Me

The question for today is what is the connection between Veteran’s Day, Tony Bennett and me?

Give up? 

Well… It all came together on June 19, 2013 when I attended a Tony Bennett Concert at the Denver Botanic Garden.  To set the stage, it is an informal outdoor venue with no assigned seats, in fact no seats.  Typically, you lay on blankets or sit in your own folding chair that can be no more than 26 inches tall, bring a picnic basket, your favorite beverage and listen to music in the glorious evening weather that only Colorado can offer.

That is when our eyes met … me and Tony ….  and he threw me a kiss.  Now it is getting good, you might be saying to yourself.

What drew Tony’s attention to me was a sign I held up.  This was very uncharacteristic of me to draw such attention but I had to.  I was driven by a very powerful need to create this moment and I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity. 

Truth be told, this was the second night in a row I saw Tony but the first time I chickened out!   So on the way home from the first night’s concert with some trepidation but welcomed encouragement by another Toni with an “i”, I stopped at the local Walgreen to buy a white poster board and wide tipped magic markers.  I rushed home and created a rudimentary sign that a first grader would make fun of.  

The sign was not in color and not fancy at all.  It simply read ….. “63^rd INF.  DIV   255^th INF REG”.

You see ….  Tony Bennett, then Anthony Benedetto, served during World War II in the 63^rd Infantry Division, 255^th Infantry Regiment at the same time my dad, Joseph Anthony Pulichene, another skinny Italian kid from NYC, served.  Although they were in different Companies and most likely never met, there was still a connection for me.  So out of respect for Tony, my dad, and all the others who served with them, I had to honor them in this awkward way and at that moment. 

Now my plot unfolds.  Having been there the night before, I planned where to sit for maximum exposure.  We got up within ten feet of the stage.  Planted our 26 inch tall folding chairs, opened our picnic basket, munched a bit and sipped our beverage of choice.  The concert was proceeding beautifully.  Even at age 84, Tony was at his best and the crowd was loving him.   People were dancing, singing and enjoying every word he sang and every note the band played. 

After building up the nerve to hold up the sign, I waited for the right moment when he was looking right at me.  The moment came.  It took Tony a brief second and then he smiled.  He looked at me, waved, gave me the thumbs up and threw me a kiss. I was totally thrilled and felt like a kid, grinning and beaming with delight.

When Tony finished his song, he pointed to me and the sign and explained to the audience the connection ….. that he served in 63^rd Infantry Division, 255^th Infantry Regiment during WWII.  I can’t remember all he said since I was frozen by the limelight but Tony was visibly appreciative of the gesture.

However, I was a little disappointed that he didn’t call me up on stage to join him in a duet.  Maybe next time.

I have to admit …..  that was one of the most meaningful moments in my life.  Not because Tony threw me a kiss, although that was pretty awesome, but because I was able to honor him and my dad and let them know that they and the other WWII veterans were not forgotten.   They are of a treasured generation that had sacrificed and accomplished so much.  We must not forget them and what they did for us so we can freely and safely enjoy an outdoor concert on a beautiful summer evening.  Hence the connection with Veteran’s Day

God bless them all!