Merry Christmas 2008

What an exciting year we’ve had. And such excitement brings with it a good share of challenge. Hank and Dale started the year with a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. Neither had ever been to the Big Island. But, over the years Dale has taken all three of the kids to Hawaii. The highlight of the trip was a day trip to Pearl Harbor to the Arizona Memorial.
On March 14, Dylan Joseph Szmyglewski arrived, 7 pounds and 20 inches. Sara is attending Hillsborough Community College part time. She is such a good Mommy. Great Grandma Schumacher now has six Great Grand Children – all boys.

Patti and Dale headed to the Pacific Northwest in May, spending time with Dale’s parents (Harold & Marilyn), as well as sister, Jill, nephew Jason and his family (Alison & Kyron). What a beautiful time of the year to be there.

The end of June brought the entire family (Dominique, Sara and Hank) together on the beach in Sarasota FL. The picture at the right (and below) was taken at that time. We are very proud of our kids and our three grandsons (Connor, Carson & Dylan). It appears that Patti and Dominique could be beach combers without too much persuasion.

The time together was bitter-sweet. It was great to have everyone together. But, at the end of the time, Hank was off to basic training in the US Navy at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center – just north of Chicago. He says he’s following in Dad’s footsteps. We’re very proud of him, as we were of Sara when she entered the US Air Force a few years back. Hank finished basic training and the whole family invaded Northern Illinois. We had a great weekend and Hank was off to San Antonio TX for military police training. Patti and Dale journeyed there for his 21st Birthday, on October 3 – a birth date he shares with his namesake.

Another big event that occurred this summer - Dale turned 60. He didn’t want a surprise party, so he planned a party of his own. We had a whole house full of people participate in our celebratory open house. Dale realized a dream. Because of the generosity of his friends, he has been able to establish the Dale Schumacher Scholarship Fund at the University of South Florida, focusing on the children of employees of Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union. He is very pleased and proud.

Then along came the end of October. The entire family, except Hank, headed to Central Illinois for a special Family Reunion. Faye opened her house to us. Dale’s Mom and Dad traveled from the Oregon Coast with Jill. What a weekend. We were able to see Aunts, Uncles and Cousins we hadn’t seen in ten years. Hope we don’t wait so long to do that again.

Right after Thanksgiving, Patti and Dale headed to the Western Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea on a cruise ship. The weather wasn’t all that good, but the cruise was very relaxing. We visited Belize, Guatemala and Coasta Maya Mexico. What a great week.

Dale and Patti returned home to a visit from one of Dale’s Viet Nam comrades - Ken Smith (pictured above). They served on River Patrol Boat 125, River Division 521 in northern South Viet Nam (1969-1970). They had not seen one another in nearly 39 years. Ken has kept the lines of communications open and Dale is grateful for that. There is still a Lot of catch up to do.

We’ll all be together again in Southern Illinois this Christmas with Dominique, Grandma Ann, and our three precious grandsons, Connor, who’ll be 6 in January, Carson will be 4 in June and Dylan is 9 months old. We really look forward to this special time with them every year! We can’t wait.
We thank God for all of our blessings, including the health and safety of all of our family and friends and we pray that God will extend these blessings to all of our troops serving here and abroad at this holy time of year.
Wishing you all the joys of celebrating the holiday season with your family and friends…with LOVE,

Dale