96-year-old WWII veteran performs national anthem on harmonica for excited crowd
Pete DuPre, a 96-year-old World War II veteran known as “Harmonica Pete,” performed the national anthem on a harmonica in a fitting tribute to mark Memorial Day.
DuPre performed before the start of a friendly soccer match between the U.S. women’s national team and Mexico on Sunday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. (U.S. won 3-0.)
Wearing a “World War II Veteran” hat and USA soccer shirt, he tipped his cap to the enthusiastic crowd and played a beautiful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Watch the performance:
❤️?❤️?
we love Pete so much. pic.twitter.com/Lxd3Xqo9eu
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) May 26, 2019
The U.S. women’s national team tweeted that they met DuPre in January when they visited Normandy, France.
? WHOLESOME NEWS ?
Before tomorrow's game, 96-year-old WWII vet Pete DuPre, who we met when we visited Normandy in January, will perform the National Anthem on his harmonica. pic.twitter.com/E6euvkSkxE
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) May 25, 2019
NJ.com posted a statement from USWNT: “During WWII, DuPre served as a medic in the 114th General Hospital Unit in Kidderminster, England. At age 17, both of his parents had already died, making him the acting patriarch of a five-person family. Within a year, Pete had enlisted in the Army serving three years overseas during which time he treated wounded servicemen from all areas of Europe. “
After the match DuPre greeted and hugged each member of the team as they got on the bus.
@notthefakeSVP @StanfordSteve82 Best thing we saw today! pic.twitter.com/t2ejq2GuJg
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) May 27, 2019
Frank Carnevale is the TribLive multimedia editor. He started at the Trib in 2016 and has been part of several news organizations, including the Providence Journal and Orlando Sentinel. He can be reached at fcarnevale@triblive.com.
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