Wed Dec 31 16:50:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli, a saxophone player, honored fallen comrades by performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a New York Islanders hockey game. The performance was a deeply personal tribute for Critelli, who survived the Battle of the Bulge and immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. He practices an hour a day and feels immense pride and patriotism when playing the anthem.
News Article:
104-Year-Old WWII Veteran Stuns Islanders Crowd with Saxophone Rendition of National Anthem
Long Island, NY – In a moving display of patriotism and remembrance, 104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli brought the crowd at the Islanders-Rangers game to its feet on Saturday night. Critelli, a decorated Army staff sergeant who survived the Battle of the Bulge, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” on his soprano saxophone before a roaring audience of over 18,000 fans at UBS Arena.
Escorted by the Islanders’ Energy Team, Critelli, who immigrated from Italy at the age of 8 and has been playing the saxophone since he was 13, delivered a powerful and precise rendition of the anthem. He explained the performance held a profound personal meaning.
“I lost a lot of friends,” Critelli said, referring to his fallen brothers-in-arms. “I’m doing this for them.”
Critelli, a resident of Floral Park, NY, practices his instrument an hour each day. His dedication and passion were evident as he flawlessly played the challenging piece. He emphasized the importance of the anthem’s message, stating, “I want the kids to remember that [the land of the free], because that’s very important to them.”
While chants of “U-S-A” echoed through the arena, Critelli was so focused on his performance, he said he almost missed hearing them. He focused on the beautiful lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
First Piper 