3 men rally for recovery in nation's capital

SANDUSKY — Leaders in the local recovery movement decided to spread a sobering message from a place much bigger than their hometowns.Three area men and friends — Curtice resident Nate Kehlmeier, Sandusky resident Antonio Lopez and Clyde resident Richie Webber — recently traveled to Washington, D.C.They filmed themselves near landmarks — including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol — for an upcoming music video, titled "Dear America."The video, set for a release on June 28, represents the next chapter in Lopez's ongoing "Dear" series. These lyrical compositions spotlight the drug epidemic ravaging communities, such as Sandusky and Norwalk.All three spoke about why they made the trip and what they hope the upcoming video can accomplish:• Kehlmeier: I feel like it's a message to the people to know what is going on in the country, and that it's all right to talk about it. Americans needs to open their eyes and see what we are doing isn't working. It's going to take everyone coming together to fight this. It's time for everyone to change and start making a difference. If you aren't part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.• Lopez: We had to grab the heart of the nation. We wanted to go where all the lawmakers and the movers and shakers are and get a feel for the gravity of the letter and what is at stake.• Webber: "Dear America" is so important because the topic is the biggest issue we, as a nation, face today. We have lost as many people in 2016 (to addiction issues) than the entire Vietnam War. Think about that for a minute. We have lost as many people to this heroin epidemic as one of the biggest wars in our entire nation's history. It's time we, as a nation, come together and fight for recovery.Want to go?What: Screening of "Dear America" video, filmed and produced by three locals: Curtice resident Nate Kehlmeier, Sandusky resident Antonio Lopez and Clyde resident Richie WebberWhere: Norwalk Reservoir, Old State Road near Woodlawn CemeteryWhen: 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 28Cost: FreeFrom left to right, Clyde resident Richie Webber, Sandusky resident Antonio Lopez and Curtice resident Nate Kehlmeier pose for a photo in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. They recently traveled to the nation's capital to film themselves near landmarks — including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial — for an upcoming music video spotlighting the drug epidemic.From left to right, Clyde resident Richie Webber, Sandusky resident Antonio Lopez and Curtice resident Nate Kehlmeier pose for a photo with a White House security guard, who's from the Toledo area, when the three men recently visited Washington, D.C. They filmed themselves near landmarks — including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial — for an upcoming music video spotlighting the drug epidemic.