At 105 years old, World War II veteran Dominick Critelli brought a packed arena to its feet when he delivered a stirring saxophone rendition of the National Anthem at the New York Islanders home opener on Saturday.
According to Western Journal, the beloved Long Island franchise welcomed back one of its most cherished guests, a man whose life story embodies sacrifice, patriotism, and the kind of quiet dignity that once defined the American character. The teams official X account celebrated his return, posting, 105 year old World War II Veteran Dominick Critelli is back to perform the National Anthem on the saxophone at tonights home opener! and fans responded with the kind of respect that stands in stark contrast to the anthem protests and flag desecrations too often tolerated in modern culture.
Critelli, a decorated former Staff Sergeant, is no stranger to the National Hockey League or to Islanders fans, who have embraced him as a symbol of the countrys greatest generation. He previously performed the anthem for a 2025 matchup against the rival New York Rangers, turning a routine pregame ceremony into a moment of national pride.
On Saturday, he took his seat at center ice, saxophone in hand, and was met with such thunderous applause that he had to motion for the crowd to quiet down so he could begin. As he played, the audience joined in singing the lyrics, and when he finished the final note, the arena erupted in cheers.
Some fans saluted the centenarian, others shouted and clapped, and the entire building rose in a standing ovation that felt more like a tribute than a simple show of appreciation. Critelli, in keeping with the humility typical of his generation, responded not with theatrics but with a modest tip of his cap.
Long before he became an Islanders favorite, Critelli served in the 95th Infantry Division as a member of the 378th Infantry Regiment in an Artillery Aviation Unit. His wartime duties included flying intelligence and surveillance missions and conducting reconnaissance, work that placed him in constant danger as he fought in the Battle of the Bulge under the command of Gen. George Patton.
In November 1944, he flew behind enemy lines to deliver supplies to American troops trapped on the wrong side of a bridgehead, a mission that demanded both courage and precision. Over the course of four days, he flew 14 separate missions to execute targeted supply drops to embattled U.S. forces.
During those flights, his aircraft was riddled with enemy fire, with dozens of bullets tearing through the wings as he continued his runs. His valor under fire earned him the Air Medal, a recognition reserved for those who display heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
In total, Critelli spent 151 days in combat, a span of service that also brought 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. These decorations are not mere trinkets but tangible reminders of a time when young Americans willingly risked everything to defeat tyranny abroad.
His 2025 performance against the Rangers became legendary among Islanders fans when he held the final note of the anthem so long that the crowd spontaneously broke into a chant of USA! That night, as on Saturday, he ended his appearance with a crisp salute to the fans before leaving the ice.
Reflecting on his service last season, Critelli made clear that his public performances are about more than music or applause. I lost a lot of friends, he said last season, referring to fellow soldiers who didnt make it home. Im doing this for them.
For Critelli, the National Anthem is not a political prop but a sacred tribute to those who paid the ultimate price. I mean, is there any better song to play than The Star-Spangled Banner? the veteran added. Beautiful, you put your heart in it.
In a gesture of appreciation, the Islanders presented him with custom jerseys during both of his recent appearances, each bearing his age at the time 104 and 105 instead of a traditional player number. At a moment when American institutions often seem eager to downplay the nations history and heroes, the sight of an NHL arena roaring in gratitude for a 105-year-old veteran playing the anthem serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring appeal of faith, flag, and country.
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