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A real Yankee Doodle dandy
By Jolene Guzman, staff writer
Monday, July 06, 2009 | No comments posted.
Independence Day seems a fitting birthday for a retired U.S. Navy chief who raises money for veterans causes.
Mel Gitlin’s birthday is always a special occasion, and not just because he shares it with the country he has devoted his life to serving. It’s also special because of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. Gitlin, who has a notable Brooklyn accent, has the Coney Island favorite shipped to his home near Hauser every year for his special meal on his special day.
The day was even more special in 1939. On that day, Gitlin turned 8 and saw the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. They sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
Gitlin didn’t understand the significance of the performance at the time. Nor did he realize yet that July 4 wasn’t just his birthday.
“I was a slow learner.” he said “I thought everybody was celebrating my birthday and not the country’s.”
Gitlin’s father, a New York Giants football player at the time, set up the birthday surprise.
“That was pretty neat,” he said. “I’ll never forget that.”
Mel Gitlin’s birthday is always a special occasion, and not just because he shares it with the country he has devoted his life to serving. It’s also special because of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. Gitlin, who has a notable Brooklyn accent, has the Coney Island favorite shipped to his home near Hauser every year for his special meal on his special day.
The day was even more special in 1939. On that day, Gitlin turned 8 and saw the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. They sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
Gitlin didn’t understand the significance of the performance at the time. Nor did he realize yet that July 4 wasn’t just his birthday.
“I was a slow learner.” he said “I thought everybody was celebrating my birthday and not the country’s.”
Gitlin’s father, a New York Giants football player at the time, set up the birthday surprise.
“That was pretty neat,” he said. “I’ll never forget that.”
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