You Can Now Hear 97-Year-Old WWII Veteran Sing National Anthem After COVID-19 Delayed His Yankee Stadium Debut
The delayed MLB season has cost many people jobs and delayed the careers of countless others, so other aspects we're being deprived of are being overlooked given the gravity of the situation.
Perhaps not as important but still incredibly notable, the New York Yankees had a very special individual set to sing the anthem at their home game scheduled for April 19. That man is Gabe Vitalone, a 97-year-old World War II veteran who earned a chance to sing after an audition earlier this year. Having his moment cancelled is disappointing, but The New York Post shared a touching video featuring Vitalone's rendition.
Hey, remember Gabe Vitalone, the 97-year-old WWII veteran who was supposed to sing the National Anthen at Yankee Stadium April 19? So many of you asked if we could find a way to hear his version. So here it is. The chills are thrown in for free. https://t.co/549yKR4qAc
— Mike Vaccaro (@MikeVacc) April 14, 2020
Anyone missing sports right now should watch and listen.
Vitalone already had some momentum behind him last year as his story of achieving this goal surfaced, and he further discussed his desire to sing the National Anthem in front of the Yankee Stadium crowd to honor his friend who died in World War II.
RT to support longtime #WPUNJ coach and educator Gabe Vitalone in his quest to sing the national anthem at a @Yankees game!
— William Paterson (@wpunj_edu) November 22, 2019
The 97-year-old veteran hopes to perform the anthem in honor of his fallen friend: https://t.co/Mo3FVsu12c via @WCBS880 pic.twitter.com/Kw4eZdcosc
His rendition couldn't be more perfect for Yankee Stadium and New York City. Vitalone's debut remains on hold, but fans who hear his voice will surely demand the team has him sing the anthem as soon as baseball returns.