Nine-year-old Dominque Vassalo belted out the national anthem – getting a bit of help with the “RED!” from the crowd – prior to the Panthers Game 5 matchup with the New York Islanders on Friday, Apr. 22.
All of the eyes in the building were stuck on Vassalo during her performance, save for the two eyes fixated on the two adults standing to her right.
US Air Force Staff Sergeant Zach Lieberman was back stateside – unbeknownst to his mother – and back in the arena where he fell in love with his hometown Panthers. This time, he was on a very special mission, but there was one detail that could have spoiled the surprise.