Since September 11, 2001, Joe Cantafio has made a difference in the lives of thousands of Americans through his music and his politically incorrect comments.  He has been asked to speak to schoolchildren on the subject of “Making a Difference in Their Communities,” with huge success.  “Step up and make a difference! Dare to be different when different is right!”

This new chapter in Joe’s life started in October 2004, when he received the “American Patriot Award” from the Naperville, Illinois Exchange Club.  His honest, frank observations about America before and after September 11th, deeply touched the members of the Naperville club.  Some members wrote to the National Exchange Club and suggested that Joe be the keynote-speaker at their national convention’s annual “One Nation Under God” breakfast in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

On July 15, 2005, Joe entered a sold-out grand ballroom in Salt Lake City.  Before his presentation only about 1% of his audience knew who he was.  After his forty-five minute talk and four standing ovations, Joe stayed in the ballroom for 3 ½ hours and spoke, hugged, signed autographs and took photos with every single person who wanted to meet and embrace him.

Joe is not your everyday speaker.  He doesn’t wear a three-piece suit or stand at a podium reading a speech.  Joe sits on a stool with his guitar and speaks from his heart, telling and singing his life story.  He makes you feel as if you are sitting in his living room and he’s an “average Joe,” just talking to you, telling you the most incredible stories you have ever heard.  You see, he does not just “talk the talk,” … he “walks the walk.”

His stories about the brave firefighters and family members of FDNY Engine Company 55 are first hand, because Joe toured the USA with them during his first “Let Freedom Sing Tour.”  Joe slept on the couch in their firehouse during his visits to New York.  Joe relays his promise to family member Cliff Russell, who lost his brother Stephen in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, … “I promised Cliff and his family that as long as I can speak, I will remind people of September 11th and let them know that Stephen Russell, one of the 343 firefighters that sacrificed their lives, were true American heroes.”

Joe speaks frankly about the troops in Iraq and wonders why the “real story” of their great work has not been told.  Joe knows the truth because he was in Iraq and the Middle East entertaining our troops in 2004.  “Why do we only hear about Americans dying? Why don’t they report about the new schools, homes, water, electricity, and for God’s sake, the free and happy Iraqi people that the American troops have embraced?  Why don’t we see the troops with their 'adopted' Iraqi families?  I have seen it with my eyes, and it is the most beautiful sight on earth.  There is nothing like witnessing an oppressed people enjoying the first taste of freedom in their 5,000 year history, … courtesy of the red, white and blue.”

Joe touches your heart. He makes you proud to be an American.  Listening to Joe, you’ll laugh harder than you have laughed in years, and cry tears for the brave Americans who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

US Air Force Col. Patrick “Bull” Sheets, commander of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, sums it up best by saying, “A true American hero – selfless and compassionate.  Joe is an inspiration.  He's not afraid to share his God-given gifts with the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our nation.  He is the Man!”