Islanders Game Features Moving Performance by WWII Veteran

The Islanders secured a victory against the Rangers on Saturday night, but the standout moment occurred beforehand. It involved 104-year-old World War II veteran Dominic Critelli, who played the national anthem on his saxophone at UBS Arena.

Critelli, an Army staff sergeant born in 1921, stepped onto the ice wearing an Islanders jersey marked with the number 104. He delivered the national anthem with full heart as the crowd chanted “USA,” singing along after he completed a flawless rendition.

Once he wrapped up the performance, he acknowledged the lively crowd with appreciation.

Critelli, who completed 151 days of combat during the war and participated in both the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy landings, shared his sentiments before the game: “I love this country. If I hadn’t come back, I would have stayed with Mussolini.”

During his military service, he ventured into enemy zones to deliver supplies to American forces.

A resident of Floral Park, Critelli was born in Italy and later moved to the United States.

In recognition of his bravery, he was awarded three Bronze Stars. Recently, he was also knighted by French President Emmanuel Macron for his role in national liberation.

“He pinned the medal on me and kissed me on both cheeks,” Critelli reflected on the honor. “And I asked, ‘If I am a knight, where are my sword and horse?'”

With a degree in music from New York University, Critelli became a jazz saxophonist. While performing at the Islanders game was special, he mentioned that he had previously played to a crowd of “50,000, 60,000 people” while on top of a tank during the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi control.