Honoring the Lives and Legacies of American Heroes

A promise made and an unwavering purpose has evolved into an event that honors not only the heroes who have given their lives for their country, but also the heroes in every community who put their lives on the line every single day. The American Hero Music Festival, in its third year, is an event celebrating the troops, veterans, first responders, and Gold Star Families.

It is fitting that music is the focus of this event and the link to draw so many people together over the two days of September 9 and 10. Music is a big part of the lives of the people who are at the heart of this story, and music has connected them together in an exceptional way.

For Sandy Hautamaki, the 2004 Thanksgiving holiday took on a completely new significance. That is the day when her only child, her son, Ryan Cantafio, was killed in action. Ryan, just 22-years old, was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq's Al Andar Province, south of Baghdad on November 25, 2004. He was a member of the Madison-based Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines. Ryan was a Beaver Dam High School graduate with strong family ties to the community.

Joe Cantafio of Barrington, Illinois is a musician and president of the nonprofit organization Forgotten Heroes, Inc. The 9/11 tragedy had a huge impact on Joe, and with his musical background, he turned to the music to help make a difference. Joe Cantafio and the 101st Rock Division began playing worldwide for the troops. During the month of February 2004, the 101st Rock Division set out on a world tour. The group performed concerts in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, Africa and Bahrain, highlighted by performing on the steps of Saddam Hussain's Baghdad palace.

Sandy first met Joe Cantafio (who is also known as "Chicago Joe" to help distinguish this Joe from Ryan's father) at Ryan's funeral. It was at this memorial event where Chicago Joe first told Sandy that her son and his cousin, Ryan, that his sacrifice would not be forgotten. Because of Ryan and his friend, Kirk Straseskie, the first Wisconsin casualty of the Iraq War, the American Hero Music Festival was created. Through music, food, stories and a gathering of people, the life and legacy of all local heroes remains alive.

"A lot of people think this event is only for the fallen, but it's not, it's for the fallen and our first responders," Sandy said. "People don't realize that there are so many first responders out there in our everyday lives that are real heroes. It does revolve around the military, 9/11, and certainly our veterans. They really try to touch every branch of service."

Just as Joe Cantafio turned to music as a way to honor the Americans who have fallen on home soil and overseas, music has been a way for Sandy to keep her son's memory alive. Sandy, who lives in the Markesan area, is in her 22nd year as a state correctional employee, but when she takes the stage, she is part of Alexis, a classic rock band.

In 1978, Sandy joined the band, Whiplash, now known as Alexis. Although the band went through some transformations over the years, Sandy and her brothers, Jim, Tom and Al Muenchow have been the foundation of this group.

"Al started playing in high school," Sandy said. "I just started tagging along because I loved the music. Then I was carrying equipment and going to concerts. They needed a bass player and singer, so Jim and I kind of started at the same time."

Sandy took a hiatus from Whiplash when Ryan was a baby, and the band, with a new lead singer, was renamed Alexis. Later Sandy joined a band in the Juneau area, but when the singer for Alexis moved out of the area, Sandy rejoined her brothers once again.

"It's fun and once the music is in your system, it's hard to get out," Sandy said. "I just love the music. Ryan always loved music, too and he played a little bit of guitar himself."

When Chicago Joe approached Sandy about his idea for the American Hero Music Festival, she immediately thought the proposal was a perfect way to get the community involved and raise money for scholarships in both Ryan and Kirk's names.

"When Joe said he wouldn't forget Ryan, he's made due on that promise and followed through," Sandy said. "He wanted us to be a part of it. He had heard about Alexis, heard comments about us locally and he thought it was a great way to keep alive Ryan's memory."

When first asked to participate with the band Alexis in the Festival, Sandy said there was no hesitation on her part. She had not quite imagined though how big the event would be and how emotional her reactions that day.

"That first year when I got to the park and saw all the patriot flags and how tastefully everything was done, I thought it couldn't have been better," she said. "All those people who stepped up and got involved and volunteered their time, I was so impressed. When I'm up there singing, mostly I'm just having a good time because we don't perform together as much anymore, and I get really pumped. I do think about Ryan during certain songs, ones that I know he liked, and I think, 'I know you are up there listening.'"

She added, "I draw my strength from Ryan, seeing what he did going over there. But, I'm not always so strong, I have my moments. We can't question God's plan, I guess, we have to figure out how to go on. Ryan was a great kid, he had a huge heart and a good head on his shoulders."

Sandy is hoping that with the tenth anniversary of 9/11 being recognized this year, even more people will attend the American Hero Music Festival. Whether they are coming for the music, the food, the parade, or something else, the important part is that they are in attendance.

"People can be split on political views and the elections and the budget, but that shouldn't affect our support for the everyday heroes," she said. "Because regardless of which party line you take, or if you don't take one, you should remember the people who are there for you every day."

The American Hero Music Festival will be held at Swan City Park in Beaver Dam on Friday, September 9 from 5 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and winds through the downtown Beaver Dam area with an ending at Swan City Park.

"We have our sad days," Sandy said. "We have Memorial Day, we have Thanksgiving Day, obviously for me, because it was the day he was killed. Then the following month he had a birthday. There are so many sad days in the year and this is a day to celebrate his life and the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. So, that is a good thing for me, because it is a fun time and it isn't another sad day."

There is free admission, food, fun, music, and military displays. Music is a big part of the event and will feature Alexis on Friday at 6 p.m., Oil Can Harry on Friday at 8 p.m., Elwood Lee Band, Saturday at 3 p.m., Crystal Waters at 5 p.m., and Joe Cantafio and the 101st Rock Division, at 7 p.m.

"It's especially important this year since it's the tenth anniversary, that people not forget," she said. "Not to forget what happened, so that our kids didn't die in vain. It doesn't matter whether you agree with why they are over there, what does matter is that you support them -- the ones that are serving, the ones that have served and the ones we lost."