- 104-year-old WWII veteran Dominick Critelli performed national anthem on saxophone
- Staff Sergeant survived Battle of the Bulge, Normandy landings during 151 days of combat
- Read below for video of the performance and Critelli’s incredible military service
The Islanders paid tribute to a 104-year-old American war hero before their game against the Rangers on Saturday night.
Staff Sergeant Dominick Critelli walked onto the ice at UBS Arena, wearing a blue Islanders jersey with the number “104” on the back. What followed was a flawless performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on soprano saxophone that quieted 17,000 fans before they erupted.
No frills. No pop singer nonsense. Just played it properly.
Critelli held the final note longer than most people his age could. When he concluded, the building went nuts with “USA! USA!” chants. The 104-year-old saluted before exiting the ice.
Video:
From Italy to the Front Lines
Critelli was born in 1921 in Italy. He came to America at age 8, arriving through Ellis Island.
“I love this country,” Critelli told the New York Post before the game. “If I hadn’t come to this country, I’d be stuck with Mussolini.”
In October 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 378th Infantry Regiment of the 95th Infantry Division through November 1945. His regiment served 151 days in battle. That’s more than five months of active fighting.
That included surviving both the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy landings.
Critelli flew 14 missions behind enemy lines as an aircraft mechanic, delivering supplies to isolated American troops while dodging anti-aircraft fire. Blood plasma, blankets, sleeping bags. Even two bottles of cognac made the cargo list.
His service earned him the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, the American Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. This year, French President Emmanuel Macron made Critelli a knight of France’s Legion of Honor for helping liberate the country.
“He pins a medal on me, kisses me on both cheeks, and I ask, ‘If I’m a knight, where’s my sword and horse?'” Critelli recalled.
Still Playing at 104
Before the war, Critelli earned a music degree from NYU. Afterward, he got his master’s and taught school on Long Island.
But he never put down the saxophone.
The biggest crowd he ever played for? Not Saturday’s 17,255 at UBS Arena. Try 50,000 to 60,000 Dutch citizens in the Netherlands, playing atop a moving Sherman tank during the liberation from Nazi rule.
“I’m trying to give it a heart,” Critelli told Newsday before his Islanders performance. “I’m trying to give it something that you love, like I do.”
He still plays with the Sound of Music Orchestra on Long Island and lives in Floral Park, just five minutes from UBS Arena. 13 family members were there Saturday night to watch him.
Uniting Rival Fanbases
The performance brought Islanders and Rangers fans together for once. Both teams tapped their sticks on the ice in the traditional hockey salute.
Broadcaster Brendan Burke couldn’t decide which was more impressive: Critelli’s performance or seeing bitter rivals sing along together.
The Islanders won 2-0 thanks to David Rittich’s 27-save shutout. Anders Lee scored 58 seconds in, and Simon Holmstrom added an empty-net goal late.
By the time the puck dropped Saturday, Critelli had already won the night.
