104-Year-Old WWII Veteran Sparks ‘USA’ Chants With Inspirational National Anthem [WATCH]

A 104-year-old World War II veteran brought an NHL crowd to its feet Saturday night after delivering a national anthem performance that turned a routine pregame ceremony into a moment of remembrance and patriotism, as reported by the Gateway Pundit.

Dominick Critelli, a longtime New York Islanders fan, took center ice at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, holding a soprano saxophone rather than a microphone.

Instead of singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Critelli played it, recreating a tradition he once carried out overseas during World War II, according to News 12 Long Island.

As the final notes echoed through the arena, the crowd erupted into sustained applause and chants of “USA,” a moment that was captured on video and quickly spread across social media.

104 year old World War 2 Veteran Dominick Critelli performed the National Anthem on the saxophone at tonight’s game! pic.twitter.com/m0v0WT6L2Y

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 28, 2025

Critelli later explained that the performance was not about personal recognition but about honoring the men he served with during the war who never returned home.

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“That’s why I go to these places, I want to do it, I want to represent them, to do something for them. That’s all I can do for them,” Critelli told the news station.

Critelli said he has been playing music for more than 90 years. His military service, however, remains the defining chapter of his life.

According to the NHL, Critelli spent 151 days in combat during World War II and survived some of the war’s most dangerous operations.

He lived through the Battle of the Bulge and flew missions behind enemy lines, delivering critical supplies to American troops who had been cut off from support.

His service earned him the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, as well as the American Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.

According to the New York Post, Critelli was born in Italy, a background that gave him a personal view of the war’s consequences in Europe.

“I love this country,” Critelli told the outlet.

“If I hadn’t come home to this country, I’d be stuck with Mussolini,” he added.

Critelli now lives in Floral Park, New York, and continues to make public appearances to honor fellow veterans and fallen service members.

His anthem performance was met with an emotional response inside the arena, with fans standing, clapping, and chanting as he finished the song.

The tribute also appeared to set the tone for the Islanders on the ice. Following Critelli’s performance, New York defeated its cross-state rivals, the New York Rangers, 2-0.

The moment served as a rare instance where sports, history, and patriotism converged in front of a national audience.

For many in attendance, the performance was a reminder of the sacrifices made by members of the Greatest Generation and the enduring legacy of those who served.

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