A 103-year-old World War II veteran created one of the most unforgettable moments of the Baltimore Orioles’ season when he stepped onto the field at Camden Yards and performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before nearly 29,000 fans.
Corporal Wilbur J. “Jack” Myers, a Maryland native, was invited to sing the national anthem as part of the Orioles’ celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary. Wearing a special Orioles jersey displaying the number 103, Myers confidently approached the microphone before the game.
His appearance carried an extraordinary history. Myers served during World War II as a corporal gunner with the U.S. Army’s 692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service.
Before walking onto the field, Myers admitted that he had asked for a little help getting through the performance. He later recalled praying beforehand and said that when the moment finally arrived, he felt he delivered one of the best performances of his life.
The stadium quickly fell behind him as he worked his way through the anthem. During one particularly meaningful moment, Myers pointed toward the American flag as he sang about it still being there, drawing an enthusiastic reaction from the crowd.
The visual surrounding him made the occasion even more striking. A massive replica of the historic Fort McHenry flag was lowered during his performance, connecting the anthem to the Baltimore location where the song’s history began.
When Myers reached the end, the crowd erupted.
Fans gave the 103-year-old veteran a standing ovation, but Myers had one more surprise for everyone watching. Rather than simply walking away from the microphone, he celebrated by dancing with members of his family on the field.
Even the Orioles themselves appeared to feel the energy he created. Manager Craig Albernaz later said the atmosphere inside Camden Yards was among the strongest the team had experienced all season, specifically pointing to Myers’ anthem performance as the moment that helped ignite the crowd.
The Orioles went on to defeat the Kansas City Royals 6-1, with pitcher Kyle Bradish carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Bradish also spoke afterward about the unusual energy inside the stadium and how much the players fed off it.
For Myers, however, the night meant far more than baseball. More than eight decades after serving during World War II, he was standing in the middle of a Major League ballpark representing a generation whose numbers grow smaller every year.
He later described the experience as possibly the best evening of his life, a remarkable statement from someone who has lived for more than a century.
And when the final note ended, it was not only Myers’ voice that stayed with the crowd. It was the sight of a 103-year-old veteran smiling, dancing with his family and receiving a roaring standing ovation — proving that even after more than a century of life, there can still be completely new moments worth remembering.
