Langenfeld to be Emcee for Event

Everything is set for the Hastings Area Rotary Club’s 5th Rivertown Live; A Concert for a Cause to be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021, along the Mississippi Riverfront. Tickets remain, although reserved seating is limited. The Rivertown Live committee is excited to announce that this year, the event emcee will be Hastings native Todd A. Langenfeld. While the Langenfeld name is quite recognized in Hastings, Todd may not be as well-known, at least, until now.

Langenfeld, a 1985 Hastings High School graduate and 1989 College of Saint Thomas (now University). During his time at St. Thomas, he was part of the Air Force ROTC unit, receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1989 as well. The next 21 years were spent in the United States Air Force where he retired at the rank of Major. His military work was as a Special Agent with the OSI (Office of Special Investigation). This would be the Air Force version of NCIS. “I was the Air Force Leroy ‘Jethro’ Gibbs, you might say,” said Langenfeld with a smile. The irony of the reference to the popular television series character is that Langenfeld is also an actor. Reference to his work is found at www.imdb.com, which is the world’s most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV, and celebrity content. If you choose to check this out, look up T. Alloy Langenfeld. If you are a fan of the Die Hard movies, be sure to check out “Die Hard with a Vengeance” from 1995.

“A lot of my experience in the military provided a background for certain roles that I have been fortunate to be given,” he explained. “Speaking various languages, having actual life experience and understanding of things that most people only see in the movies and being able to realistically portray those sort of things have led to some incredible opportunities and experiences.” Since retiring from the Air Force, Langenfeld more time to focus on his acting career. His roles have varied from being a White House Doorman in the 2012 movie Lincoln, a Russian Newscaster in the 2013 movie Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and an Oxford Professor in the 2014 television series, Sleepy Hollow. He will also be in the upcoming upcoming See RIVERTOWN LIVE Page 3

Todd A. Langenfeld Rivertown Live From Page 1

“Cobra Kai” series on Netflix and “Welcome to Flatch,” a new television series on Fox.

With Rivertown Live being held on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, the committee wanted to make sure that the event allowed for various opportunities for people to stop and remember the importance of the terrorist attacks on our country. There will be a special flyover featuring antique military airplanes around 6:50pm, right before Gabby Barrett takes the stage. There will also be a very special performance of the National Anthem by Hastings native and Super Bowl Champion, Ben Utecht at that time. Various artists will also include “moments” in their performances as time for reflection. “Rivertown Live is a celebration, but we also felt the need to include remembrance and reflection in honor of those whose lives were lost 20 years ago,” Tom Montgomery, Rivertown Live co-chair said. It was this focus and being in the right place, at the right time that made it possible for Langenfeld to agree to being the emcee.

“Obviously, being in the military on 9/11/01 as an officer was a ‘call to duty’ moment for me,” he explained. The entire country went on high alert when the Twin Towers were hit in New York. All military personnel where positioned and ready to defend our country at all costs. As an officer that worked directly with things such as counter terrorism, try for a moment to put yourself in Langenfeld’s shoes. “I can’t really describe the feelings; I can only say that I was where it was intended for me to be.” Langenfeld felt the same way when event co-chair Brian Schommer reached out to him to meet for coffee and discuss being the emcee for Rivertown Live.

Langenfeld is a resident of the east coast and while he still calls Hastings his “home,” he is more of a visitor than a resident. Most of the time, his visits include visiting his 92-year old mother at Regina, spending time with his siblings and maybe taking in a beverage with an old classmate. That is where this connection was made. Schommer is also a 1985 graduate of HHS and a longtime friend of Langenfeld. Noticing on Facebook that Langenfeld was in town and at the State Fair assisting his brother Paul (Founder of the Langenfeld Foundation) who recently announced his candidacy for Mayor of St. Paul, he reached out asking if he would be around on 9/11. Langenfeld responded with a yes and, “what do you need?” From there and a cup of coffee, Langenfeld decided that once again, he was in the right place at the right time. “I do not believe that any of this is just by chance,” he said. “We are put in places for a reason.” The Langenfeld family is a “service oriented” crew who in most cases will give you the shirts off their back. United States Air Force Major (Retired) Todd A. Langenfeld is no different. Additional concert information, artists, schedule and tickets can be found at www. rivertownlive.com.