Dominick Critelli went with a standard arrangement. The 104-year-old World War II veteran from Floral Park wasn’t looking to mess with the notes as he played the national anthem on his soprano saxophone before Saturday night’s Islanders-Rangers’ game at UBS Arena.
“You can’t add to that,” Critelli said. “You can’t touch that.”
But Critelli said one thing was paramount as he performed.
“I’m trying to give it a heart,” said Critelli, who still performs with his Sound of Music Orchestra. “I’m trying to give it something that you love, like I do. I was born in Italy. I came here when I was eight-years-old. I love this country. This is my country. There’s no other country in the world like this country. This is what you’re trying to give.
“As you’re playing, you’re trying to make it as beautiful as possible because it’s a beautiful country.”
Fans of both teams sang the national anthem as Critelli performed his instrumental rendition, which ended with the crowd chanting, “USA, USA,” and giving him a rousing ovation.
Critelli served in the U.S. Army from Oct. 28, 1942 to Nov. 21, 1945 and rose to the rank of staff sergeant. He was part of the 95th Infantry Division and notably the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign of the war.
Critelli called it, “something special,” being asked to play the national anthem at UBS Arena.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.