‘I love this country’: WWII veteran, 104, performs outstanding rendition of the national anthem

Patriotism was alive and well in New York this past weekend as a 104-year-old WWII veteran delivered a moving rendition of the national anthem.

As hockey fans gathered to watch the New York Islanders face off with the New York Rangers on Saturday, an unusual moment transpired as Staff Sergeant Dominick Critelli made his way, with a little help, onto the ice with his saxophone.

Sporting an Islanders jersey customized with the number 104 representing his age, the Army veteran wowed the crowd at UBS Arena with his playing of The Star-Spangled Banner, playing the instrument perfectly as both Islanders and Rangers fans, hands over hearts, proudly sang along.

(Video Credit: NHL)

Critelli gave a dramatic finish with the last note, prompting the crowd to begin chants of “USA!” He gave them a patriotic salute before he exited the ice.

“Critelli spent 151 days in combat during World War II, surviving the Battle of the Bulge and flying behind enemy lines to provide isolated American troops with much-needed supplies,” according to the National Hockey League. “For his service, he’s earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, the American Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.”

Critelli, who immigrated to the U.S. from Italy as a boy, served as an aircraft mechanic with the 95th Infantry Division Headquarters Battery. Last year, he was awarded the Legion of Honor, France’s highest military award, by President Emmanuel Macron.

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion, French President @EmmanuelMacron honored 103-year-old American veteran Dominick Critelli, who played the saxophone at the #FreedomConcert last month, with the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian and military award.@franceintheus pic.twitter.com/oErwkSmo4t

— Netherlands Embassy in the US 🇳🇱🇺🇸 (@NLintheUSA) June 6, 2024

“He pins a medal on me, kisses me on both cheeks,” Critelli recounted in an interview with the New York Post, “and I ask, ‘If I’m a knight, where’s my sword and horse?’ ”

“I love this country,” he told The Post ahead of the hockey game. “If I hadn’t come to this country, I’d be stuck with Mussolini.”

Social media users agreed that Critelli delivered an epic performance.

The best thing that happened at the game last night. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/XDrOY4EE7C

— Kennedy (@KennedyNation) December 28, 2025

This brought me to tears. That was beautiful!!!!!

— MoonDoggy (@Jurkowsk1Moon) December 29, 2025

104 and still crushing it. Respect.

— NoBanks Nearby 👉 apple.co/4otr5L2 (@NoBanksNearby) December 28, 2025

This is the American pride that needs to be celebrated. It’s what patriots fought to honor.

Don’t let illegals rob us of these moments.

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) December 29, 2025

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