(Gray News) – A World War II veteran had the honor of performing the national anthem Saturday, before the New York Islanders hosted the New York Rangers.
At 104-years-old, Staff Sergeant Dominick Critelli wowed the crowd as he played the national anthem on his saxophone.
The crowd began chanting, “USA!” for the veteran when he finished, and he saluted the fans before leaving the ice, NHL.com said.
Critelli served in the 95th Infantry Division and was a member of the 378th Infantry Regiment in an artillery aviation unit, according to Mission Margraten Plus.
FILE — U.S. World War II veteran Dominick Critelli is greeted by the crowd during an American Airlines veterans parade in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Normandy, France, Wednesday, June 5, 2024. World War II veterans from across the United States as well as Britain and Canada are in Normandy this week to mark 80 years since the D-Day landings that helped lead to Hitler’s defeat.(Daniel Cole | AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
He spent 151 days in combat and survived the Battle of the Bulge. Critelli was one of the men who flew behind enemy lines to drop needed supplies to American troops.
During his time in service, Critelli earned the Air Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, the American Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
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