October 31st, 2006
This entry was posted on October 31, 2006 5:38 AM and is filed under Heroes.
October 31, 2006 ... Veterans Rally For Roskam
Last Thursday I received a call from my friend Brian McCarthy who has worked with Peter Roskam for years. Brian asked if I could help organize an event for Peter, complete with music, people and Veterans. I asked Brian when the event was, thinking I would have at least ten days and Brian said, "It will be Monday morning Joe, sorry for the short notice."
Brian explained that Peter's opponent has been making false accusations (translated from the political jargon, that means Peter's opponent has been lying) that Peter doesn't care about veterans, and that all veterans support her, simply for the fact that she is a vet.
Well, you all know that it's not the uniform that makes a patriot, but rather what's inside the uniform. Plus the fact that I know Peter Roskam and I have witnessed time and again, his support for the troops and first responders. The reason for the short notice is that America's Hero, Veteran and former POW, Arizona Senator John McCain, was stepping up to support Peter.
I told Brian that I would do my best to "get the word out." I called Jim VanNatta and together we created a call chain. Jim then designed the ad that we emailed and posted on this blog. My next call was to Dave Wentz, son of the 6th district and former classmate of Peter Roskam. I called every veteran I knew and asked them for support and at first I believed the short notice and the morning time period would hurt us. Dave and Jim did the same thing and we began to gather a little momentum.
I called former Cheap Trick bassist, former 101st Rock Division bassist and dear friend Jon Brant and asked him to perform with me. I know Jon loves John McCain. Jon asked his father-in-law, USMC Korean War Veteran (one of the heralded "Frozen Chozen) James Bender; if he'd like to go to this event. Jim supports Peter and McCain and promised to come to the event with Jon.
I was out of town over the weekend, but checked in frequently with Jim, Dave and Brian and on Sunday afternoon I met with Brian, and Eric from Peters staff. They asked me how many veterans did I think Jim, Dave and I were going to have at the rally. I told them twelve for sure and possibly 24. I then asked them how many veterans were expected and what would be a good number to show their support? We figured 12 to 24 would be a good number.
Sunday night I came home, turned off my cell phone and went with my daughter to the Yellows Ribbon Support Group meeting and helped her and her Confirmation class make "care packages" for the troops. I figured everything we could do had been done at this point and prayed that a large group of veterans who know Peter and have witness his kindness, support and leadership over the years would be there for him this time.
After I drove Danielle to school, I went back home to shower and shave. I decided to wear the Army jacket gifted to me by the 1st Armored Division in Balad, Iraq in 2004. The only difference is instead of saying "ARMY" on the name patch over the pocket, it says "101 ROCK."
SIDEBAR - We were all thrilled to get our uniforms in Iraq, ... what an incredible honor. As we were walking through the dinning facilities some of the troops would see our jackets and say, "101 ROCK! I love your radio station!"
As I was driving to the event, I remembered I had my phone on "silent" from the night before, so I switched it back to "high ring." I had 11 calls from veterans saying they would be there with some of their veteran buddies who also supported Peter, and the phone rang all the way to the event.
While Jon and I brushed up on a few tunes, a large group was gathering outside the room. When they opened the doors, people started to fill the room. Brian and Eric asked all veterans to stand up on the stage but there were at least 100 veterans, 85% of them from Peter's 6th District. Some had their uniforms other in their VFW hats."The veterans filled the stage three deep and then spilled over on to the floor and surround the stage. Jon was suppose to stand next to me, but ended up standing on his amp in the back of the room!
Jon and I played about 3 songs when I was given the "five-minute" warning. I decided that it was time to honor the soldiers that never came home from war, so I introduced "Brave Warrior," the song written for my cousin, Ryan Joseph Cantafio. USMC from Beaver Dam, WI, who paid the ultimate price for freedom in Baghdad in 2004.
As I was telling the story about Ryan, I noticed Roy and Georgette Frank in the audience. Jon and I entertained their son Phil in Iraq six-weeks before he was lost to us. I dedicated the song to them and to their late son Phil.
With about one minute to go, I wanted to get everyone singing. I could hear all the veterans humming behind me anyway, so I decided to do a song everyone in the room knew. I asked the press if they could turn off their camera's and join the veterans in singing "God Bless America." The whole room started singing and about 65% of the press joined in (The other 35% must have been terrorist or illegal alien's and couldn't understand English!) I will say I did get chills seeing all those veterans singing along with me.
Roskam's people had lined up some very impressive speakers. Master of Ceremonies and fellow West-Sider Jim Durkin introduced some very interesting guests. Ed Derwinski was there to support Peter. Ed served in the Ronald Reagan Administration and was the very first Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the George H. W. Bush administration.
SIDEBAR - More importantly to me, Mr. Derwinski was a friend of my late great father. He was classmate of my Dad's at Loyola. My father being 100% Italian and Mr. Derwinski being 100% Polish, they would feel left-out on St. Patrick's Day, so every year they would send each other St. Patty Day cards. I had the honor of share a few stories with this great American after the event and he passed on well wishes and hello to my mother.
Jim Durkin introduced two women who both graduated from West Point and served our country. They both live in the 6th district and were very powerful speakers, but the next three guest brought a gasp from the audience and I'll be honest, I have seen a lot in my life, but my jaw dropped at their introduction. Durkin introduced three veterans who served with Tammy Duckworth, Peter opponent, and they were in full support of Peter. One of them lived in the 6th district (and pointed out that Tammy did not!) Not only did they serve with Duckworth, they actually rehabbed her home and made it handicap accessible. These three men had a lot of class and did NOT say one negative word about Duckworth, but all gave their support to Roskam.
Then it was my turn, I got to introduce Peter and John McCain. I will say that telling everyone about Peters support of first responders and soldiers came easy. I didn't write a speech, I spoke from my heart and I talked about Peter's heart. If you have met him, you know he is a down to earth, honest guy who has served his district well as a State Senator. He'll always do what's right and being from the district and living in the district his whole life, you know the man loves this area and will support it from his heart.
What I loved about Peter is he took the opportunity to talk about his great parents. His father is a decorated Korean War Veteran and Peter thanked him. The incredible story of how his Mom and Dad were on Vacation in Vietnam a few years ago and noticed American G.I. "dog tags" for sale, as if they were some kind of trinket. His Mom and Dad gathered all those tag and as of last week, personally delivered the last tag to a family in Ohio. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Peter inherited their hearts as well.
Peter then turned the microphone over to John McCain. I have to admit, John McCain is one of the funniest speakers I have ever seen, yet he made his points and honored every veteran in the room. Before he left, McCain shook the hand of every veteran. That was impressive.
Duckworth is a veteran, and I know Peter and every veteran in the room thanks her for her service, but as I said earlier, it is NOT the uniform that makes the patriot, it is what is underneath it, and Roskam has more heart and compassion for the people he grew up with his whole life than Duckworth could ever possibly have. How could she feel that way about the people of Du Page County? She's not from the 6th district and doesn't even live there now! She's from the 6th district the same way Hillary is from New York!!!!! When I was a kid we called that cheating, ... but after seeing the number of people supporting Peter in an early morning event, I am convinced it will be Roskam representing the 6th district in the US Congress next Tuesday night. In the long run, the people of Du Page County can't be fooled.
During the event I saw Dave Wentz with his red,white and blue tie, smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. Jim VanNatta was taking photo's and smiling. (Those photo's will be posted soon.)
I love the fact that Peter and Elizabeth have stopped the negative ads on TV. Trust me, people are sick of it, class wins all the time and Peter, you are one classy guy. Keep fighting brother. One week until Washington!
Last Thursday I received a call from my friend Brian McCarthy who has worked with Peter Roskam for years. Brian asked if I could help organize an event for Peter, complete with music, people and Veterans. I asked Brian when the event was, thinking I would have at least ten days and Brian said, "It will be Monday morning Joe, sorry for the short notice."
Brian explained that Peter's opponent has been making false accusations (translated from the political jargon, that means Peter's opponent has been lying) that Peter doesn't care about veterans, and that all veterans support her, simply for the fact that she is a vet.
Well, you all know that it's not the uniform that makes a patriot, but rather what's inside the uniform. Plus the fact that I know Peter Roskam and I have witnessed time and again, his support for the troops and first responders. The reason for the short notice is that America's Hero, Veteran and former POW, Arizona Senator John McCain, was stepping up to support Peter.
I told Brian that I would do my best to "get the word out." I called Jim VanNatta and together we created a call chain. Jim then designed the ad that we emailed and posted on this blog. My next call was to Dave Wentz, son of the 6th district and former classmate of Peter Roskam. I called every veteran I knew and asked them for support and at first I believed the short notice and the morning time period would hurt us. Dave and Jim did the same thing and we began to gather a little momentum.
I called former Cheap Trick bassist, former 101st Rock Division bassist and dear friend Jon Brant and asked him to perform with me. I know Jon loves John McCain. Jon asked his father-in-law, USMC Korean War Veteran (one of the heralded "Frozen Chozen) James Bender; if he'd like to go to this event. Jim supports Peter and McCain and promised to come to the event with Jon.
I was out of town over the weekend, but checked in frequently with Jim, Dave and Brian and on Sunday afternoon I met with Brian, and Eric from Peters staff. They asked me how many veterans did I think Jim, Dave and I were going to have at the rally. I told them twelve for sure and possibly 24. I then asked them how many veterans were expected and what would be a good number to show their support? We figured 12 to 24 would be a good number.
Sunday night I came home, turned off my cell phone and went with my daughter to the Yellows Ribbon Support Group meeting and helped her and her Confirmation class make "care packages" for the troops. I figured everything we could do had been done at this point and prayed that a large group of veterans who know Peter and have witness his kindness, support and leadership over the years would be there for him this time.
After I drove Danielle to school, I went back home to shower and shave. I decided to wear the Army jacket gifted to me by the 1st Armored Division in Balad, Iraq in 2004. The only difference is instead of saying "ARMY" on the name patch over the pocket, it says "101 ROCK."
SIDEBAR - We were all thrilled to get our uniforms in Iraq, ... what an incredible honor. As we were walking through the dinning facilities some of the troops would see our jackets and say, "101 ROCK! I love your radio station!"
As I was driving to the event, I remembered I had my phone on "silent" from the night before, so I switched it back to "high ring." I had 11 calls from veterans saying they would be there with some of their veteran buddies who also supported Peter, and the phone rang all the way to the event.
While Jon and I brushed up on a few tunes, a large group was gathering outside the room. When they opened the doors, people started to fill the room. Brian and Eric asked all veterans to stand up on the stage but there were at least 100 veterans, 85% of them from Peter's 6th District. Some had their uniforms other in their VFW hats."The veterans filled the stage three deep and then spilled over on to the floor and surround the stage. Jon was suppose to stand next to me, but ended up standing on his amp in the back of the room!
Jon and I played about 3 songs when I was given the "five-minute" warning. I decided that it was time to honor the soldiers that never came home from war, so I introduced "Brave Warrior," the song written for my cousin, Ryan Joseph Cantafio. USMC from Beaver Dam, WI, who paid the ultimate price for freedom in Baghdad in 2004.
As I was telling the story about Ryan, I noticed Roy and Georgette Frank in the audience. Jon and I entertained their son Phil in Iraq six-weeks before he was lost to us. I dedicated the song to them and to their late son Phil.
With about one minute to go, I wanted to get everyone singing. I could hear all the veterans humming behind me anyway, so I decided to do a song everyone in the room knew. I asked the press if they could turn off their camera's and join the veterans in singing "God Bless America." The whole room started singing and about 65% of the press joined in (The other 35% must have been terrorist or illegal alien's and couldn't understand English!) I will say I did get chills seeing all those veterans singing along with me.
Roskam's people had lined up some very impressive speakers. Master of Ceremonies and fellow West-Sider Jim Durkin introduced some very interesting guests. Ed Derwinski was there to support Peter. Ed served in the Ronald Reagan Administration and was the very first Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the George H. W. Bush administration.
SIDEBAR - More importantly to me, Mr. Derwinski was a friend of my late great father. He was classmate of my Dad's at Loyola. My father being 100% Italian and Mr. Derwinski being 100% Polish, they would feel left-out on St. Patrick's Day, so every year they would send each other St. Patty Day cards. I had the honor of share a few stories with this great American after the event and he passed on well wishes and hello to my mother.
Jim Durkin introduced two women who both graduated from West Point and served our country. They both live in the 6th district and were very powerful speakers, but the next three guest brought a gasp from the audience and I'll be honest, I have seen a lot in my life, but my jaw dropped at their introduction. Durkin introduced three veterans who served with Tammy Duckworth, Peter opponent, and they were in full support of Peter. One of them lived in the 6th district (and pointed out that Tammy did not!) Not only did they serve with Duckworth, they actually rehabbed her home and made it handicap accessible. These three men had a lot of class and did NOT say one negative word about Duckworth, but all gave their support to Roskam.
Then it was my turn, I got to introduce Peter and John McCain. I will say that telling everyone about Peters support of first responders and soldiers came easy. I didn't write a speech, I spoke from my heart and I talked about Peter's heart. If you have met him, you know he is a down to earth, honest guy who has served his district well as a State Senator. He'll always do what's right and being from the district and living in the district his whole life, you know the man loves this area and will support it from his heart.
What I loved about Peter is he took the opportunity to talk about his great parents. His father is a decorated Korean War Veteran and Peter thanked him. The incredible story of how his Mom and Dad were on Vacation in Vietnam a few years ago and noticed American G.I. "dog tags" for sale, as if they were some kind of trinket. His Mom and Dad gathered all those tag and as of last week, personally delivered the last tag to a family in Ohio. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Peter inherited their hearts as well.
Peter then turned the microphone over to John McCain. I have to admit, John McCain is one of the funniest speakers I have ever seen, yet he made his points and honored every veteran in the room. Before he left, McCain shook the hand of every veteran. That was impressive.
Duckworth is a veteran, and I know Peter and every veteran in the room thanks her for her service, but as I said earlier, it is NOT the uniform that makes the patriot, it is what is underneath it, and Roskam has more heart and compassion for the people he grew up with his whole life than Duckworth could ever possibly have. How could she feel that way about the people of Du Page County? She's not from the 6th district and doesn't even live there now! She's from the 6th district the same way Hillary is from New York!!!!! When I was a kid we called that cheating, ... but after seeing the number of people supporting Peter in an early morning event, I am convinced it will be Roskam representing the 6th district in the US Congress next Tuesday night. In the long run, the people of Du Page County can't be fooled.
During the event I saw Dave Wentz with his red,white and blue tie, smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. Jim VanNatta was taking photo's and smiling. (Those photo's will be posted soon.)
I love the fact that Peter and Elizabeth have stopped the negative ads on TV. Trust me, people are sick of it, class wins all the time and Peter, you are one classy guy. Keep fighting brother. One week until Washington!