Malden Man's 'Boston Strong' Tattoo Gets on Fenway Jumbotron

A Malden man said he was only a split-second decision away from a life-changing trip to the Boston Marathon last week. 

You could say it left a lasting impression. 

"I was in my office and said to one of my co-workers, 'let's go to the finish line, we'll grab some drinks, watch the runners'," 34-year-old Eddie Colameta said. 

But his colleague wasn't in the mood, so the pair opted for a quick local lunch to follow the race on television instead. 

As they watched the attacks unfold from the safety of the restaurant, Colameta said he suddenly realized how close they came. 

"We would've been right there," he reflected. "It just really stuck with me."

"T-shirts fade, but tattoos are forever." 

Colameta likes tattoos, but isn't covered in ink - he sports only one on his leg and another half-sleeve on his right arm. He said last week's experience was one he wanted to keep close to his heart. 

"I was moved by how everyone came together," he said. "We were under attack, and everyone came together for each other; it didn't matter what was going on in their lives." 

"T-shirts fade," he added. "But tattoos are forever." 

The tattoo, drawn by Anthony Forte at Boston Street Tattoo in Lynn, reads "Boston Strong" across Colameta's chest, capitalized with a Red Sox "B" and a black ribbon commemorating the date of the attacks.

Colameta said the response has been overwhelmingly positive - he was even featured on the Jumbotron at Fenway Park this weekend. 

"I had a v-neck shirt on and I pulled down my shirt, and the camera just stuck on me," he said. "Everyone started getting up and applauding." 

Did the lifelong Malden resident ever in his life think he'd ever get standing applause at Fenway Park? 

"I didn't, it's not me," he's quick to say. "It's what the tattoo meant." 

Colameta, who owns Cityline Auto Brokers in Malden, said he would also donate a percentage of his sales to a charity for the attacks, most likely One Fund Boston.