Ryan J. Cantafio - Honored by His Hometown
This entry was posted on October 17, 2008 10:00 AM and is filed under Heroes.
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 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
LCpl. Ryan Joseph Cantafio, USMC
I know my cousin's are so proud up there 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 kid and patriot, Ryan J. Cantafio, would be forgotten ... now he has been immortalized by his hometown.
Our family now shares an honor that my friend Cliff Russell and his family share. The street where Stephen P Russell, (FDNY Firefighter-Engine Company 55, who was killed in the cowardly attacks on September 11th, 2001,) was raised, is named after him. I thought of the Russell's when I learned Ryan would be honored the same way.
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 outside of the auto body shop named by his father, in his sons honor.
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October 17, 2008 10:01 PM
Lisa wrote:
I hope you get to travel down that street sometime soon. What an honor for a great American -- thanks for sharing this story. It does a heart good.
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October 20, 2008 8:26 AM
Cliff Russell wrote:
Joe,
It is with deep gratitude and affection that I salute Ryan.
The Russell’s are among the chosen that can actually understand, grasp and appreciate the meaning and the honor.
We are one,
Cliff
PS Thanks for the honorable mention in your blog.
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October 20, 2008 9:36 AM
Vinny Forras wrote:
Joe,
The love both Monica and I feel for you is beyond words as is our love for your heroic family member who gave his life for all of us on that tragic Thanksgiving Day....
Sharing the love of Ryan and his dedication to our country is a common bond that we will treasure forever and a day.... We continue to be inspired by the sacrifices of such great men who show us the way in our often clouded paths.
God bless you Joe and all of yours....
Vinny
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October 22, 2008 9:00 PM
Ryan Jazak wrote:
I happened to see the street named after Ryan a couple of weeks ago. I was looking at a friends real estate listings and happened to see that she had one listed on Ryan Cantafios Way. I was gonna call you but it slipped my mind during all the hustle and bustle.
The Heartland of America has stepped up once again and remembers one of its fallen heroes. This makes me even more proud to be a Wisconsinite. Everytime I travel to Beaver Dam, I stop and say hi to Ryan at his headstone, and after a few tears and a thank you, I feel like a better man. My parents, my wife, and my little boy visit Ryan every Memorial Day, along with some of my Fathers friends who gave their lives in the jungles of Vietnam, and we lay flowers by them all and some random Veterans that we pick out at each cemetary.
I promise you Joe, and promise all of Ryans family, that as long as the good Lord allows me, I will visit Ryan, and never forget what he did for me and my country.
Please keep all of these brave warriors who paid the price in your thoughts always. My brother has been to so many funerals that even he has lost count. He has lost a lot of good friends and brothers. We as Americans must never forget the cost of freedom. Our brave warriors and their families know that cost all to well. God Bless them all, and God Bless Ryan Cantafio.
Semper Fi Ryan.
Ryan Jazak
Proud brother of GySgt Eric Jazak USMC
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