Happy Thanksgiving, Please Remeber Ryan

This entry was posted on November 20, 2007 2:15 PM and is filed under Ryan Cantafio.

        Lance Corporal Ryan J. Cantafio USMC
                                 
   

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.

Please remember my cousin and his family in your prayers. I promised my cousin Joey (Ryan's dad,) that I would never let Ryan's memory fade. With the help of a lot you we have kept Ryan alive in our hearts.

Ryan died a hero, in battle, fighting terrorism and protecting his brother Marines on top of his Humvee with his 50-caliber machine gun. Ryan was a member of Madison, WI-based Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment.

Please include the families of Shane O’Donnell, 24, of Madison,WI, Cpl. Robert Warns, 23, of Waukesha, WI and Lance Cpl. Branden Ramey, 22, of Belvidere, Ill., who were the other company members killed when they were hit by a roadside bomb on that fateful day. Ryan was only 22 when he died on Thanksgiving Day 2004. (November 25, 2004)

Since 11/25/04, My cousin Joey renamed the auto body shop that both he and Ryan owned; "Ryan's Auto," It's located in Beaver Dam, WI. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and visit Joey and read about Ryan on the huge sign in front of the shop and ask to see the truck that Ryan bought before he was deployed, and that Joey restored for Ryan. It has become a beautiful tribute to Ryan and other fallen heroes from Wisconsin.

Write to Joey and his wife Bobbi at; ryansauto@charter.net

Write to Ryan's mom Sandy, and her husband Scott at; sandyandscotth@centurytel.net

Make sure you eat an extra piece of pumpkin pie (I am) and all the turkey and dressing you can handle, and be thankful of how great we have it here in the "good old" U.S. of A. because of the efforts of our troops over the ages.

If anyone is alone, or needs company to talk to over this Thanksgiving Holiday, call me at 847-322-3777 and let's talk!

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Comments

• November 20, 2007 3:03 PM Debbie Argel-Bastian wrote:
  Dear Joe,
  I promise to remember Ryan on this Thanksgiving Day. Please send his parents my thoughts and prayers. I have just printed out his picture for my "Hall of Heroes" in my home. He will be on the wall with my own beloved Derek. God bless your family.
  Deb
  Reply to this
  1. November 21, 2007 12:21 PM Joe Cantafio wrote:
     Deb,
     
     Thank you so much for the kind words. You are always there to support our awesome troops. We will never forget the great personal sacrifice you and your family have made for our great nation. I am thankful for people like you and I am thankful for the gift of your son Derek.
     
     God bless you and your family on this Thanksgiving Day.
     
     Love,
     
     Joe Cantafio
     Reply to this
• November 20, 2007 7:16 PM Lisa wrote:
  Rest assured that Ryan and his company will not be forgotten. God bless our troops this Thanksgiving.
  Reply to this
  1. November 21, 2007 12:25 PM Joe Cantafio wrote:
     Lisa, Lisa, Lisa,
     
     I am so blessed to know you. You are always there for our great troops. Thanks for the very kind words and prayers for Ryan and the brave warriors in his company.
     
     I hope to see you again soon,
     
     Much Love,
     
     Joe Cantafio
     Reply to this
• November 21, 2007 12:13 PM Brian Ivers wrote:
  Ryan,
  
  I was with you the night that you gave your life for our country. It was a cold November night on a desolate highway in Iraq. You rode in the back of a humvee manning your gun, protecting your brothers.
   
  A few days earlier you saved your squad in a fire-fight by taking out an enemy mortar position and kept a squad pinned down.
  You were a quiet achiever who never complained. It was an honor to serve with you and to have known you. Bravery and courage are forever yours. My heart goes out to your family and to all those that you knew. Thanksgiving shall never be the same for me, I am thankful that you you were a part of our team.
  
  Sleep well Ryan, God bless you and your family.
  
  Semper Fi from your brother " Lucky. "
  Brian Ivers of Fort Collins CO.
  Reply to this
• November 21, 2007 9:47 PM Ryan Jazak wrote:
  As always Joe, you know we will be thinking of Ryan and his entire family on Thanksgiving. God Bless him and his Marines.
  
  Ryan Jazak
  Proud brother of GySgt Eric Jazak USMC
  Reply to this
• October 30, 2009 10:45 AM Dennis Nelson wrote:
  Joe, I just was reconnected with you through the OPRF webpage, and am thankful for who you are, and the faithfulness and sincerity that you share in representing true American values. My prayers go out to your family, and especially your brother's-in mourning the passing of your cousin Ryan. It's coming up on 5 years, and although I never knew him, will remember Ryan and all of our other American "heroes" that are serving this great country- especially on “Thanks”giving Day. Oftentimes we don't appreciate the magnitude and tremendous personal loss and sacrifice that our soldiers and their families have endured, but with your assistance, we can all keep them alive in our thoughts and prayers. I'm proud to have known you and appreciate everything that you've been doing to help us remember those who are serving our great country. May God continue to guide you in your efforts to keep the true spirit of the USA alive. Take care my friend. Dennis
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