I want to let you all know about the awesome time I had during Armed Forces Week.

Monday, May 12

I witnessed Rick Kolomay being sworn in as Carol Stream Fire Protection District's new Deputy Chief. It couldn't happen to a better man.

Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Ray Orozco and Chicago Fire Department Assistant Deputy Commissioner Bob Hoff, both spoke to the Carol Stream Board of Directors that night, saying, "I don't know how you did it, but you just won the lottery." I sat there in a room filled with the "Who's Who" of American firefighting and thought to myself; how did the Schaumburg Fire Department let this guy go without a fight?

Chief Mike in Carol Stream seems to be one of the greatest guys I have ever met, and along with Rick, the Carol Stream department is going to be one of the best in America ... mark my words.

To Rick Kolomay; Good luck brother. You deserve all the "good" that has been heaped upon you. I can't think of anyone who deserves it!

Tuesday, May 13

My daughter Laura Cantafio joined me at Medinah Country Club for the Blind Veterans Golf Outing. I can't count the many times people have commented to me, "blind Veterans golf?" My only answer is, "Yes, and quite well, as a matter of fact."

I entertained during lunch, but at about 9:00 AM, Laura and I joined about 30 other volunteers and drove our heroic Vet's out onto the course, pointed them in the right direction and watched them hit the ball down the fairway, (usually straight-on,) then onto the green, and into the cup. We managed to play five Holes before we had to get back to the luncheon. Laura and I were part of a foursome. A Vietnam Vet named Gene teamed up with me and a World War II Vet named Emel was Laura's partner.

My hat's off again to Chris Vaia and the "Golf Swing Club" for getting me involved with this annual event 4-years ago.

Wednesday, May 14

I headed down to Springfield, Illinois to speak/entertain at the Korean War National Museum Gala. I met the Board of Directors and was very impressed and excepted by them almost immediately. Larry Sassarossi; Executive Director of the museum gave an outstanding PowerPoint presentation showing the new location and how being next to the second most popular presidential library in the country will benefit the Korean War National Museum. Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, who is a HUGE troop/Veteran supporter, spoke and lent his support to the Veterans and their project a day before he headed off to Korea to help raise funds for the new state-of-the-art museum, which will be located within a block of the new Lincoln Library and Lincoln Museum.

The head of the Illinois National Guard and my friend General Dennis Celletti, came by during the cocktail hour and we shared a Diet Coke together and talked about entertaining the troops overseas. The Illinois National Guard is in the process of the largest deployment of troops since WWII. I spoke with General Celletti about joining us in Afghanistan this fall when we entertain those the Illinois Guardsman. He smiled and said ... "that is very possible."

Col. Jack Amberg-Midwest Office of Army Public Affairs came down to the event as well, and after the show, we drove to Downtown Springfield and shared some great conversation about our up coming tour. Although Jack is retiring from the Army on June 6th, he will continue to support the tour, and that is good news for everyone.

Thursday, May 15

After joining Jack Amberg and my childhood agent, Al Curtis (who is also on the KWNM Board) for breakfast, I headed over to the Springfield Vet Center on Ninth Street in Springfield to entertain WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans. I was suppose to entertain for an hour, but once I got started, and once the WWII Vet's realized that some of them served with my Uncle's John and Oliver Fulgenzi, born in Riverton, IL, 7-miles North of Springfield, we had a lot to sing and talk about.

Two and half hours later, a WWII Veteran handed me his "Victory Medal" that was awarded to him after the war. At first I couldn't accept this gift, but after he explained that once he died, his medal would either be sold or buried with him, and that he wanted the younger troops to see the medal that was given to every deployed member of the US Armed Forces who fought during WWII and saved the world, I accepted it.  I am working on having it put into a two-sided-Plexiglas frame and I will keep it with me on tour and show our troops.

I stopped by my cousin John Fulgenzi's resturant for lunch ... I know John serves an awesome pizza, but the new sign in front of his place state's "The Worlds Greatest Cheeseburger" ... now mix in the fact that the WWII Vet's told me he also serves the best chili they have ever tasted ... I ordered the cheeseburger and the chili. John bought me lunch, but I don't think that fact made it taste any better ... the burger is awesome and I want a bowl of his chili right now! Yummmmmmmmmmy. He's located on the corner of Sangamon Avenue and Ninth Street, across from the State Fair Grounds.

After lunch I headed up to Milwaukee to meet Allison Kitzerow: SGT, US ARMY and Gerrold "Jammin J" Johnson: Master SGT, US ARMY (retired) for dinner. Allison's mom and Dad and beautiful (hot) sister (good looks run in the family!) joined us for after dinner drinks.

Friday, May 16

My adopted brother, Ryan Jazak, setup an interview and joined "J," Allison and me at Milwaukee's NBC-TMJ4 studio. Thanks to Ryan's friend, "News at Noon" host; the lovely and talented Diane Pathieu, we talked about my late cousin Ryan J. Cantafio; USMC, the Welcome Home Celebration and I performed "Brave Warrior."

To see the short interview, promoting the Welcome Home Celebration on Milwaukee's Lake Front, click on the link > http://www.todaystmj4.com/features/seenontmj4/19011024.html

At 5:00 that evening Ryan's wife Karla and his Mom and Dad Jim and Sandy Jazak joined us at Zablocki VA Hospital in the Spinal Cord Unit.

I was impressed as retired Vietnam era Veteran, Sandy Jazak, picked up where she left off as an Army nurse, and help feed one of the great Veterans who was having a hard time eating. Karla, Jim, Allison, "J" and Ryan helped wheel in Veteran's to the "show."

Again I was suppose to entertain for an hour .... 2 1/2-hours later I opened the floor to Q & A and I was amazed at what I had heard.

I asked the Veteran's, who all had spinal cord injuries, if they had life to do over again, ... would they change anything. I expected most to say, "I would have never join the military," but NOT ONE said those words ... in fact. they all said, they wished they would have done more ... or ... I wished I would have listen to my Sgt's better ... or ... I would have pretty much lived my life the same and served my country!

Carol, one of the disabled Vet's, had a wish; she wished everyone in her family could take a pill that would put them in the same disabled situation she is now in for a few days. She explained that nobody seems to understand what it means to never walk again. Of course she added, once they understood what her life was really like, the pill would wear-off and they would be normal again.

I went to dinner with the Jazak Family and we were all taken back a bit by our great Veterans. I can't stop thinking about these outstanding America's who seem to still be fighting battles everyday. God bless our forgotten heroes.

Saturday, May 17

One of my dearest friends, Jonathan Brant, joined me on Milwaukee's Lake Front in the first Welcome Home Celebration in Veterans Park. We performed for about an hour.

I want you all to know that when Jon joins me on event's like this, it's usually on his dime, taking away from his family, but I can see that Patriot-Brant loves every minute of giving himself to the troops as he did when he volunteered to go to Iraq with us in 2004.

"Jammin J" made his live singing debut with us, taking charge of the second verse of "God Bless the USA," and he was awesome, ... and with no rehearsals!

My cousin Joey Cantafio, his wife Bobbie and children made it in from Beaver Dam, WI to see us and to hear the song that was inspired by his son Ryan; Brave Warrior. It's very special for me to perform that song in front of my Wisconsin cousins, but I never tire from singing the song. I find something new in the song every time. (Allison became the prettiest music stand for Jon during Brave Warrior)

Sunday, May 18

I had the opportunity to perform at the retirement party of Rick McCoy. Rick retired from Special Forces last week after serving his country for 4-years in the Marine Corps and 16-years in Special Forces. It was also Rick's mother, Pat McCoy's, birthday. Pat and her husband Mac began the Yellow Ribbon Support Group out of Palatine, Illinois.

The weather was a bit chilly on Sunday night, but the sentiment was very warm. I met some of Rick's team ... his "brothers," who he said were as much family to him as his own mother, father and brother.

As my head hit the pillow Sunday night, I was spinning, thinking of all the great troops and Veterans I had met during the week. I enjoyed meals with great, patriotic American's and I sang for the most honorable men and women. Thank you all sharing the week with me and for listening. I hope to see you all again very soon.

On a sad note. Karla Jazak great father passed away suddenly Saturday morning.

Karla, everyone at Forgotten Heroes, Patriot Entertainment and the members of the 101st Rock Division, send our love and prayers to you, your brothers and your family. May he rest in peace.

 

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