November 23rd, 2006
This entry was posted on November 23, 2006 8:20 AM and is filed under Thanksgiving.
November 23rd, 2006 ... Happy Thanksgiving
Last night I had a lot of fun. I performed at The Village Inn in Skokie, Illinois. I rarely will perform in a bar/pub anymore, but owner, Randy Miles, a huge supporter of "First Responder" and "The Troops" has a heart as big as Skokie. It was fun and an honor to perform there and hangout with him and his "local's for a night.
The place was packed and the audience was very receptive, ... I was surprised to meet many of the people that read this blog. I have no idea who reads this. It was great seeing old fans/friends and "catching up" with them.
I brought my 14-year old daughter Danielle and she just had a riot! She was even "hit on" and few times. I was watching her from the stage as she told one "wanna-be" suitor that she was only fourteen and that I was her dad, ... and as he peered up to look at me as she told him, he could see, by the laser beams shooting out of my eyes, that he was gonna get "hit on" by me, ... only in a different way. (It was all in fun and Danielle and I laughed all the way home about it.)
I'll be back at The Village Inn on December 21st.
Today is a very bittersweet Holiday for our family. It is a day to give thanks for everything we have here in America, ... lot's to be thankful for. It is also the day that Ryan Cantafio was lost to us in Iraq. For me, it's not bad at all, but for Ryan's dad and mom, it's a nightmare every year. My dear friend, Ground Zero firefighter Vinny Forras and his son Michael are making today very special for our family by mentioning Ryan and showing his photo on national television. That program will air today on FOX News Network's Neil Cavuto's show. It will air in the Chicago/Wisconsin area between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.
I have said so much about Ryan and when I think of Joey and Sandy and my cousin Cathy, I just get a bit choked up.
My friend Ryan Jazak, who doesn't live too far from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was asked to say the family prayers at two family functions today. He promised that we will all be in their prayers today.
This morning Ryan wrote me and asked me to post the following, ... I could not have said it better.
Ryan writes:
Thanksgiving day is a joyous occasion for all of us today. Sitting down with family and enjoying their company and the great food that God has provided us. But for one family from Wisconsin, it reminds them of the hardship and sacrifice that sometimes comes with the price of freedom. The family of LCpl. Ryan Cantafio USMC is reminded of the death of their hero just two years ago this day. I have never met Ryan or his family, but I feel as close to them as a family can be. The Marine Corps family is a tightly niched bond. We are all one big family. So, I feel today that I lost a brother as well. Ryan Cantafio died a hero, and I will forever remember this young man, for the unselfish sacrifice he has made for me, my family, and my country. Sadly, I will never be able to repay the Cantafio family for their sacrifice, but I want them all to know that my thoughts and prayers will be with them today and beyond.
Thanksgiving is a day for giving thanks to whatever one wishes, and today I give thanks for men like Ryan Cantafio, who laid it all on the line to protect the greatest country on earth. Thanksgiving Day will forever have a different meaning to me. All gave some, some gave all.
God Bless you Ryan, and I thank you with all my heart. Please keep the Cantafio family in your prayers today, and ask God to help to ease their suffering. And please keep the rest of our brave heroes overseas in your prayers as well.
With his brother Eric proudly serving in the United States Marines, I am so honored that Ryan is even thinking of the Cantafio family today, especially Joey, Sandy and Cathy.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. You will all be in my thoughts today. I am very thankful to everyone for your kind words, prayers and well wishes. To those of you serving overseas, ... we all love you and Thank You, ... to the Jazak and Forras Families, you have really brightened our day, ... you have no idea! To all first responders, thank you for all you do.
God bless America!
Last night I had a lot of fun. I performed at The Village Inn in Skokie, Illinois. I rarely will perform in a bar/pub anymore, but owner, Randy Miles, a huge supporter of "First Responder" and "The Troops" has a heart as big as Skokie. It was fun and an honor to perform there and hangout with him and his "local's for a night.
The place was packed and the audience was very receptive, ... I was surprised to meet many of the people that read this blog. I have no idea who reads this. It was great seeing old fans/friends and "catching up" with them.
I brought my 14-year old daughter Danielle and she just had a riot! She was even "hit on" and few times. I was watching her from the stage as she told one "wanna-be" suitor that she was only fourteen and that I was her dad, ... and as he peered up to look at me as she told him, he could see, by the laser beams shooting out of my eyes, that he was gonna get "hit on" by me, ... only in a different way. (It was all in fun and Danielle and I laughed all the way home about it.)
I'll be back at The Village Inn on December 21st.
Today is a very bittersweet Holiday for our family. It is a day to give thanks for everything we have here in America, ... lot's to be thankful for. It is also the day that Ryan Cantafio was lost to us in Iraq. For me, it's not bad at all, but for Ryan's dad and mom, it's a nightmare every year. My dear friend, Ground Zero firefighter Vinny Forras and his son Michael are making today very special for our family by mentioning Ryan and showing his photo on national television. That program will air today on FOX News Network's Neil Cavuto's show. It will air in the Chicago/Wisconsin area between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.
I have said so much about Ryan and when I think of Joey and Sandy and my cousin Cathy, I just get a bit choked up.
My friend Ryan Jazak, who doesn't live too far from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was asked to say the family prayers at two family functions today. He promised that we will all be in their prayers today.
This morning Ryan wrote me and asked me to post the following, ... I could not have said it better.
Ryan writes:
Thanksgiving day is a joyous occasion for all of us today. Sitting down with family and enjoying their company and the great food that God has provided us. But for one family from Wisconsin, it reminds them of the hardship and sacrifice that sometimes comes with the price of freedom. The family of LCpl. Ryan Cantafio USMC is reminded of the death of their hero just two years ago this day. I have never met Ryan or his family, but I feel as close to them as a family can be. The Marine Corps family is a tightly niched bond. We are all one big family. So, I feel today that I lost a brother as well. Ryan Cantafio died a hero, and I will forever remember this young man, for the unselfish sacrifice he has made for me, my family, and my country. Sadly, I will never be able to repay the Cantafio family for their sacrifice, but I want them all to know that my thoughts and prayers will be with them today and beyond.
Thanksgiving is a day for giving thanks to whatever one wishes, and today I give thanks for men like Ryan Cantafio, who laid it all on the line to protect the greatest country on earth. Thanksgiving Day will forever have a different meaning to me. All gave some, some gave all.
God Bless you Ryan, and I thank you with all my heart. Please keep the Cantafio family in your prayers today, and ask God to help to ease their suffering. And please keep the rest of our brave heroes overseas in your prayers as well.
Ryan Jazak
With his brother Eric proudly serving in the United States Marines, I am so honored that Ryan is even thinking of the Cantafio family today, especially Joey, Sandy and Cathy.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. You will all be in my thoughts today. I am very thankful to everyone for your kind words, prayers and well wishes. To those of you serving overseas, ... we all love you and Thank You, ... to the Jazak and Forras Families, you have really brightened our day, ... you have no idea! To all first responders, thank you for all you do.
God bless America!
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November 23, 2006 5:17 PM
mark wrote:
I saw the Thanksgiving Day tribute to your son on Fox News. I'm sorry for your loss. Thank God for men like your son!
Mark Jennings
Canton, MI
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November 23, 2006 6:29 PM
Joe Cantafio wrote:
Mark,
Ryan Cantafio was the son of my great cousin Joe from Beaver Dam, WI. I will be sure and forward your very kind email to him. On behalf of our family, thank you very much for your kind words. It is very much appreciated.
Happy Thanksgiving brother,
Joe
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