To celebrate the 105th birthday of Louis Tanzer, volunteers at the Veterans Council in Beverly, Mass., collected birthday cards throughout December to honor the WWII Marine Corps Veteran Staff Sergeant.
One of those cards came from the New England Patriots, and was autographed by head coach Mike Vrabel, Patriots Hall of Famer Andre Tippett, and New England's entire roster of players.
"It was a huge surprise," Tanzer said of the oversize card. "Totally unexpected and greatly appreciated. It meant a lot."
The birthday surprises would not end there for the longtime New England fan, though.
Not long after Tanzer's birthday party on Dec. 26, he also received a video call from Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft.
"I want you to know you're my hero," Kraft told Tanzer on the call.
"When I heard the story about you and what a courageous young man you were and how you served this great country of ours – and then, they told me you're a Patriots fan!"
Born on Christmas Day in 1920, Tanzer enlisted in the military in his early 20s and served in the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, despite being eligible for deferment during World War II.
He was stationed in the central Pacific, which included the Ellice Islands (Funafuti) and the Marshall Islands (Majuro Atoll). He also served aboard the USS Altamaha – a Liberty ship that supported crucial operations throughout the Pacific Theater.
Kraft asked all about Tanzer's service on the call, and the men found commonality in their Patriots fandom and Jewish faith.
"I couldn't ever have imagined I'd be talking to Robert Kraft face to face on Zoom," Tanzer said. "It was great to meet him and to learn that we share some common bonds."
Before the call ended, Kraft shared another gift the team had for Tanzer: a customized No. 105 Patriots jersey with the veteran's last name.
Tanzer was thrilled to receive the jersey, which he hopes to have framed when this exciting Patriots season is over.
"He's enjoying it tremendously," Tanzer's daughter, Gail, said when asked about how he's felt about the 2025 season with the Patriots back in the AFC Championship this Sunday.
"He's so glad to see the comeback and is very impressed with the fighting spirit of the team."
As special as the Patriots could have planned to make Tanzer's birthday, between the card, jersey, and video call from Kraft, one more potential present could come in a few weeks.
"It's an honor to know you and I'm proud of you," Kraft said, before alluding to a hopeful Super Bowl.
"I hope we give you (one more) good birthday present this year."
