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WWII Vet Tony the Kid Bambino Turns 100 Years Old
VA Boston Healthcare System
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WWII Vet Tony the Kid Bambino Turns 100 Years Old
Friends, media and family gather together to celebrate the 100th birthday of Tony the Kid Bambino, Anthony Barrasso
Monday, February 12, 2018
It’s not every day that someone turns 100, but then again WWII Veteran Anthony Barrasso, aka “Tony the Kid Bambino” isn’t the only one celebrating 100 this month. One hundred days ago 19 Veterans, including Tony, made a pact with each other to hang tough and move as a unit when the VA transitioned them from the Chelsea Soldiers Home Adult Healthcare Program to the Don Orione Home about six miles away. Change is never easy, but staff at the Chelsea Soldiers Home and the Orione facility made the move seamless as the 19 started to mingle with the guests who visit the Don Orione on any given day.
“By all accounts the Veterans were welcomed into the Orione program with open arms and have remained a tight knit bunch and maintained their unit integrity while enjoying the company of other men and women, the entertainment, the activities.” said Pallas Wahl, VA Boston Healthcare System, Public Affairs Officer.
One member of the team Tony Barrasso was born on February 8, 1918 in Boston and was drafted into the Army on March 7, 1941 where he was quickly sent overseas as a member of the 3rd BN, 26th Yankee Infantry Division. Meanwhile, his wife was gave birth to a daughter in the states.
Toni, who served in the Army four years, six months and twenty eight days, saw combat at the Battle of the Bulge and returned home in October of 1945.
Today he lives at home and travels to the Don Orione facility daily to hang with his fellow service members and the facilities patrons.
