It is my distinct honor to call Joe Cantafio my dear friend. A Hero, US MARINE, one of the chosen laid down his life for all of us on Thanksgiving Day, 2004. Ryan Cantafio joined the Marines on September 11th, 2001 after our way of life was attacked. I met Joe when he performed at a special concert at the Seminole Hardrock Cafe. I learned about the sacrifice of Joe’s cousin and, as the father of a serving US Marine, I was personally touched by this brave young man’s story. I was asked on an appearance on Neil Cavuto’s show on Fox TV by Joe on Thanksgiving, the anniversary of Ryan’s death, to mention his name. I did much more than that!….And as a picture appeared on National TV with Ryan’s name across the screen in a tribute to him the family, his dad, and all who knew him shared a very special moment together. I feel truly blessed to have been able to do something special in support of this young, heroic man’s sacrifice and pay tribute to his life….. Please read the following narrative as provided by Joe which include the naming of a street in Ryan Cantafio’s honor…. GOD BLESS YOU RYAN… GOD’S SPEED…..
Joe’s Daily Thoughts published a new entry entitled “Ryan J. Cantafio - Honored by His Hometown” on 10/17/2008 6:46:40 PM, written by Joe Cantafio.
Ryan J. Cantafio - Honored by His Hometown
Many of you know about my heroic cousin Ryan Cantafio. He joined the Marine Corp on September 11, 2001. On Thanksgiving night 2004, after volunteering for a special assignment near Fallujah, Iraq, Ryan’s Humvee was ambushed and as Ryan fought to save himself and his brother Marines from behind his 50-caliber machine gun mounted on his Humvee, Ryan was killed in action … his brother Marines, although wounded, survived.
I’ve said it many times … Ryan’s funeral was the most beautiful and saddest funeral I have ever attended and the events of that cold December day inspired a song I wrote, Brave Warrior. My childhood buddy and fellow songwriter; Herb Weinand, helped me with some of the lyrics and the song has received critical acclaim from every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Firefighter and Police Officer who has heard it. (To hear the song, look up Joe Cantafio - Brave Warrior on You-Tube.)
This past Tuesday my cousin Joey Cantafio (Ryan’s Dad) informed me that on Thursday, October 16th, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin city-fathers named a street after Ryan; “Ryan Cantafio Way.” Below is the Resolution from the city. It reads …
A RESOLUTION RENAMING MADISON STREET FROM SOUTH CENTER STREET TO BEAVER STREET TO RYAN CANTAFIO’S WAY
WHEREAS, the Operations Committee has recommended that Madison Street from South Center Street to Beaver Street be renamed to Ryan Cantafio’s Way in honor of Ryan’s military service and sacrifice for our country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the recommendation is approved and Madison Street from South Center Street to Beaver Street is renamed “Ryan Cantafio’s Way”.
LCpl. Ryan Joseph Cantafio, USMC
I know my cousin’s are so proud up in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Hat’s off to Beaver Dam city-fathers who also named a street after another brave warrior who paid the ultimate price, Sgt. Kirk Straseskie, USMC Ryan’s fellow Beaver Dam High School alum who served with Ryan in Iraq.
Our family was concerned that if the “Troops Surge” wasn’t funded and America pull out of Iraq without completing the “mission,” Ryan and all other brave warriors who have paid the ultimate price for American freedom, would have died in vain. Today we were thrilled to learn that the US Marines are closing shop in Fallujah, the town where Ryan was kill in action, stating “mission accomplished.” The Marines won! The Iraqi’s won, … Evil lost! Ryan did not die in vain, his legacy and the legacy of the over-3,000 American warriors who died in battle for American and Iraqi freedom is now official and set in history. Now on to Afghanistan with prayers from America.
God bless our Marines, who dug in against all odds; protected the Iraqi people and beat evil.
Personally, I can’t wait to walk down “Ryan Cantafio Way” with my cousins. Their biggest fear was that a great patriot, Ryan J. Cantafio, would be forgotten … now he has been immortalized by his hometown.
If you happen to visit Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to take a drive down “Ryan Cantafio Way” … look up my cousin Joey at “Ryan’s Auto” and read all about my great cousin on the huge billboard out side of the auto body shop named by his father, in his sons honor.
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ONE OF GOD’S ANGELS WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ALL OF US, MARINE RYAN CANTAFIO. PLEASE LETS MAKE SURE THAT HIS SACRIFICE WAS NOT IN VANE….
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