In 1936, Albert (“Mutz”) D’Accurzio, now a sharp and engaging 96-year-old, was chosen for a program that sent hundreds of boys on a free trip to Italy, courtesy of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

D’Accurzio sailed on Italy’s premier ocean liner and was shepherded around Italy by fascist officers for weeks. His group had an audience with the Pope and saw the sights any tourist even today should see — and he did it when only the wealthiest Americans could afford the luxury.