I have heard it said often from family, friends and co-workers, "When one door closes, another door opens!" I must say the last two years have made me realize just how true this adage really is.

First however, let me thank each and every one of you who came for an overnight or two or three or more during the 9-1/2 years that the Tudor Inn Bed & Breakfast was open and I was your Innkeeper. I hope the memories you took from here and the friends you met will always be with you as part of a wonderful overall experience of your time on this beautiful Peninsula, the Authentic Northwest! I know you made memories for me and long lasting friendships that will be special forever.

The doors to the Inn closed on October 1, 2010 and as I moved into 2011 (figuring out where I would work and live for the next decade of my life) I had no idea that my life was about to change drastically. My only son, Captain Joseph Schultz, a Green Beret in the Army, was killed in Wardak Province, Afghanistan on May 29, 2011. He was here often between deployments and assignments so many of you may have met him personally or knew of him through me. Needless to say, I miss him terribly and without the closeness of family and friends, including those here in Port Angeles, this past year would have been unbearable.

Captain Joseph House doors will open in the spring of 2013 to provide comfort and a home away from home for the families of the Fallen. Not only have many military men and women given their lives, their families too have made the ultimate sacrifice. To that end, I have created a Foundation that will allow these families to come to the Pacific Northwest and experience the wonder, the beauty, the peace, the healing powers that this scenic wilderness offers; so much of what you too might have enjoyed while visiting. The men and women of Port Angeles have also embraced the opportunity to give back to the families of the Fallen and I will be forever grateful for their generosity. There will be some extensive remodeling to the House to accommodate one to three families for a five-night retreat / respite, including an elevator!

You may read more about the Foundation at www.CaptainJosephHouseFoundation.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/CPTJosephHouse, as fundraising and remodeling takes place. Photos of the progress will soon be showing up on both!

I invite you to help me close the doors of the Tudor Inn chapter of my life and open the doors to Captain Joseph House as I, too, Honor, Respect and Remember not only Joseph but all of those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the loss of their loved one.

Sincerely,