Watch: Bill Belichick Greets 102-Yard-Old WWII Veteran Before SNF

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick does not talk much and does not really like being asked questions, but he sure knows how to surprise a Patriot fan, World War II veteran Norman Taché.

Before the Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Bill Belichick greeted the veteran who celebrated his 102nd birthday that night. Taché is a sworn Patriots fan, and he wore a custom 102 jersey for the occasion. The veteran and his grandson were on the field before the game and run into Belichick. The head coach spent some time to greet the hero.

“My 102-year-old grandfather. It’s his birthday today. He served in World War II,” Taché’s grandson said as he introduced the war hero to Belichick.

“Congratulations. It’s an honor to meet you. Thank you for being here. 102. I love it,” Belichick said.

“I went through a lot in the service, but it was worth it.” Taché told the Patriots head coach.
Belichick opened to the war veteran and his grandson saying that his father would have been that old next year. “It was a great generation,” Belichick said.

World War II veteran Norman Taché turned 102 years old on Sunday.

He celebrated as the #Patriots honorary captain before #GBvsNE on SNF.#SaluteToService pic.twitter.com/m4bnLZTp4L

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 6, 2018

“We were hoping to meet you and I’m glad we did,” Taché told the head coach.

Taché met Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who asked him if he would accept to be the honorary captain for the Week 9 contest. Taché headed to the midfield and took part in the coin toss. The veteran took the coin as a souvenir.

The New England Patriots and the rest of the league kicked off Salute to Service month on Sunday. Belichick managed to make someone’s night, and that is what really matters. The head coach wore a button that honored Clinton native and Navy Petty Officer Second Class Andrew R. Bibbo who got killed during a Nevada training mission in 2007.

After the game Belichick credited TAPS and Salute to Service after bringing 25 New England-area families who had a family member killed in the military.

“I just want to give my appreciation and respect to all of the TAPS families that were here and the Salute to Service from the organization for this game. I was proud to wear [Andrew] Bibbo’s button here for the game, from Clinton, from Milford. I actually spent a lot of time in Milford. I had several friends there from college and I spent a lot of time in that town. It’s a great town. Of course, he was in the Navy so I’m proud of that. I’m really just proud for all of us – all of our players, coaches – that we recognized that and what they’ve done, the sacrifices they’ve made and their families have made for our behalf.”