{"id":2680487,"date":"2026-10-10T07:44:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T11:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-hockey-crowd-goes-wild-when-wwii-vet-105-who-fought-under-patton-performs-natl-anthem-on-ice\/"},"modified":"2026-10-10T07:47:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T11:47:55","slug":"watch-hockey-crowd-goes-wild-when-wwii-vet-105-who-fought-under-patton-performs-natl-anthem-on-ice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-hockey-crowd-goes-wild-when-wwii-vet-105-who-fought-under-patton-performs-natl-anthem-on-ice\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch: Hockey Crowd Goes Wild When WWII Vet, 105, Who Fought Under Patton Performs Nat&#8217;l Anthem on ICE"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">36<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwatch-hockey-crowd-goes-wild-when-wwii-vet-105-who-fought-under-patton-performs-natl-anthem-on-ice%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2680487&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A 105-year-old World War II veteran named Dominick Critelli performed the national anthem on the saxophone during the New York Islanders\u2019 home game, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. Critelli, a decorated staff Sergeant who served in the 95th Infantry Division and participated in key missions such as the Battle of the Bulge and supply drops behind enemy lines, is a beloved figure among Islanders fans. He has previously performed the anthem at NHL games, including a notable performance against the Rangers, where he held a long note prompting the crowd to chant \u201cUSA!\u201d Critelli\u2019s military honors include the Air Medal, Bronze Stars, and other medals, recognizing his bravery and service. He said he performs for fallen comrades and expressed pride in playing \u201cThe Star-Spangled Banner,\u201d emphasizing its emotional significance. During the performances,he was honored with custom jerseys commemorating his age.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>World War II veteran Dominick Critelli, 105, played a saxophone rendition of the National Anthem during the New York Islanders\u2019 home opener Saturday, and the crowd went nuts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c105 year old World War II Veteran Dominick Critelli is back to perform the National Anthem on the saxophone at tonight\u2019s home opener!\u201d the team\u2019s official X account read.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">105 year old World War II Veteran Dominick Critelli is back to perform the National Anthem on the saxophone at tonight\u2019s home opener! https:\/\/t.co\/Ka6wD8bhTP<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NYIslanders\/status\/2106533708018892962?\">October 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The decorated Staff Sergeant is no stranger to the National Hockey League. He is an Islanders favorite who had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/news\/topic\/short-shifts\/wwii-veteran-us-national-anthem-new-york-islanders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">previously performed<\/a> the anthem for a 2025 game against the rival New York Rangers.<\/p>\n<p>During his most recent performance, he was sitting down getting ready to play and had to signal for the audience to stop applauding him so he could start the show.<\/p>\n<p>The crowd began to sing the lyrics as Critelli played and exploded into applause when he wrapped up.<\/p>\n<p>Some fans saluted him, others cheered, and he received a standing ovation. He responded by simply tipping his cap to the crowd.<\/p>\n<p>Critelli <a href=\"https:\/\/www.missionmargratenplus.org\/dominick-critelli.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">served<\/a> in the 95th Infantry Division and was a member of the 378th Infantry Regiment in an Artillery Aviation Unit.<\/p>\n<p>His <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >main job included gathering flying intelligence<\/a>, surveillance, and carrying out reconnaissance missions. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge under the leadership of Gen. George Patton.<\/p>\n<p>In November 1944, Critelli flew behind enemy lines for a supply drop to help American troops stuck on the enemy side of a bridgehead.<\/p>\n<p>For four days, he flew 14 missions to carry out precision supply drops to aid U.S. troops.<\/p>\n<p>His plane was even hit with dozens of bullets that pierced the wings. His heroism under fire earned him the Air Medal.<\/p>\n<p>Critelli spent a total of 151 days in combat, and was also awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, the American Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.<\/p>\n<p>During his 2025 performance against the Rangers, Critelli held the last note so long that the crowd broke out into a chant of \u201cUSA!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He saluted his fans before leaving the ice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI lost a lot of friends,\u201d he <a href=\"https:\/\/eyesonisles.com\/ny-islanders-bringing-back-105-year-old-wwii-veteran-to-perform-national-anthem-01m41s0mr9t3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> last season, referring to fellow soldiers who didn\u2019t make it home. \u201cI\u2019m doing this for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI mean, is there any better song to play than \u2018The Star-Spangled Banner\u2019?\u201d the veteran added. \u201cBeautiful, you put your heart in it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>During both performances, Critelli was given a custom jersey by the team that listed his age of 104 and 105 respectively.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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