There are moments in life that remind us what perseverance really means.
One of those moments came not long ago at a New York Islanders hockey game. The crowd was buzzing. Cameras rolling. Then, from the tunnel, came 104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli.
He lifted his soprano saxophone and began to play the national anthem.
Critelli shows us how perseverance works.
- It’s more than endurance.
- It’s quiet strength.
- It’s showing up again and again with purpose, with grace, and with heart.
A family of support
Critelli commits his life to his family, his country, and his music. Hence, they commit to him.
He lives in New York and has a close family that includes children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
His family often accompanies him to events and has spoken proudly of his energy, gratitude, and love of music.
In interviews, Critelli has mentioned how his family keeps him young and that spending time with them, along with playing music, gives him “something to look forward to every day.”
Media coverage around his 104th birthday and the Islanders’ national anthem performance showed his family cheering him on from the stands.
As a young soldier, he fought at Normandy and in the Battle of the Bulge. He saw the cost of freedom up close.
Those experiences shaped him and forged the resilience that still shines in him today.
A few days ago, that strength showed up not in battle, but under the bright lights of a hockey rink. He arrived in his wheelchair steady, proud, and calm.
The same determination that once carried him through war now carried every note through the anthem.
Perseverance never stops giving
Perseverance isn’t just about surviving. It’s about continuing to give.
Continuing to share your talents long after others have stopped.
At 104, Dominick Critelli could have chosen rest.
Instead, he inspires us to never quit.
As the last note faded, the crowd rose to its feet, reverent, grateful, and in awe.
For just a moment, that anthem became something more, a living reminder of endurance, sacrifice, and pride.
The greatest rewards at 104
Dominick Critelli’s story is proof that perseverance doesn’t fade with age.
- It deepens.
- It matures.
- It becomes something truly beautiful, a legacy that echoes through time.
From the beaches of Normandy to the ice of Long Island, his spirit hasn’t changed.
It’s steady. It’s humble. It’s full of heart.
In a world obsessed with quick wins and instant results, he shows us the truth.
The greatest rewards come to those who simply refuse to give up.