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The year was 1922, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., Warren G Harding was our President, Reader's Digest debuts, King Tutankhamen's tomb is unearthed and Insulin is isolated and used for the treatment of diabetes. But the biggest news of that year was that on October 21, 1922 a baby boy was born in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. He was Pete Santibañez, the fifth child of Francisca and Jerónimo Santibañez.

The family unit continued to live in Mexico until Pete was about 4 years old, then uprooted to Illinois, then Colorado. In 1927 Charles Lindbergh makes the first nonstop solo transatlantic flight. Popular vaudevillian Al Jolson astounds audiences with his nightclub act in The Jazz Singer, the first feature-length talkie. Pete started school at the age of five in Orchard, Colorado but his first schooling came much earlier. Little boys who could walk could also do chores and his mother, Francisca, ran a loving but disciplined household. In 1929 a seven year old Pete was probably trudging to school through a cold February snow storm, meanwhile in Chicago, Al Capone and Bugs Moran got a little upset with each other resulting in the St. Valentines Day Massacre. The Santibañez family would move at least four times in order to find work to support and raise this large hard working family. Some of the jobs Pete held at age 15 include hitching and driving a full team of horses and working in the fields harvesting hay. He was paid 75 cents a day for the work.

In 1937 the Santibañez family moved to California, the zeppelin "Hindenburg" explodes at Lakehurst, New Jersey, the Golden Gate Bridge is completed, the Glenn Miller Band debuts in New York and Walt Disney's first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, hits theaters. Pete attended high school in Ventura, California through 1940. In 1941, another move was underway. This time the family moved to Anaheim where Pete began work for the Blue Goose Packing Company in Fullerton.

On December 7, 1941, Japanese carrier-based planes swept in without warning over Oahu and attacked the bulk of the U.S. Pacific fleet, moored in Pearl Harbor. On December 8, the United States declared war on Japan. Pete was drafted into the United States Army at age 20 where he served his country from December 23, 1942 until his honorable discharge on October 16, 1945. His talent for management and leadership were confirmed as Pete was promoted to Heavy Weapons Platoon Sergeant. Pete's responsibilities included the supervision and instruction of 50 soldiers, 4 machine guns, and 6 non-commissioned Officers. Stationed in the Philippines, Pete's unit operated under severe combat conditions. For his bravery and gallantry in action, Pete was awarded the Silver Star. Other decorations and citations bestowed upon Pete were:
o Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
o Purple Heart
o Good Conduct Medal
o Distinguished Unit Emblem
o Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Metal with one bronze arrowhead for landing at Lingayen Gulf January 9, 1945 and three bronze service stars for participation in the New Guinea, Northern Solomons, and Luzon Campaigns.
o World War II Victory Medal
o Combat Infantryman Badge

After his discharge from active military duty, Pete sought to receive US Citizenship. The year was 1946 and, although Pete was granted his Naturalization on July 10th, his most cherished memory of the year was while playing a baseball game, he met Connie Martinez. They fell in love and were married on October 17, 1948.

Pete worked various jobs from the oil fields, packing house truck driver to Douglas Aircraft before his employment with the United States Postal Service in 1951. There he worked his first five years as a Mail Carrier. In 1953 General Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated President, and Lucille Ball gives birth to Desi Arnaz, Jr. on the same day the fictional Little Ricky is born on I Love Lucy. Not to be upstaged, Connie gave birth to their first child. Socorro Beatrice Santibañez was born on May 29, 1953. Pete and Connie were thrilled.

After bobby socks and sock hops there came the emergence of Elvis Presley as one of the world's first rock star and the grand opening of Disneyland in Anaheim. Pete and Connie were busy sharing their own news with everyone they knew. On June 5, 1955 they were blessed with their son, Ronald Peter Santibañez.

Pete received a promotion to Postal Clerk in 1956 holding that assignment for another five years. During those years The Wizard of Oz had its first airing on television, West Side Story debuts on Broadway bringing violence to the stage, Leave it to Beaver premiers on CBS, ushering in an era of TV shows that depict the ideal American. The movie The Bridge on the River Kwai earned an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1958. Pete and Connie were once again overjoyed with the birth of their son, David Patrick Santibañez on October 2, 1958.

In 1959, Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th States. John F Kennedy became the first Roman Catholic president in 1960 defeating Richard Nixon in a closely fought battle. Most of America tuned in and rallied during the Summer Olympics and now 90% of U.S. homes had a television set. But the real highlight, to Pete and Connie's delight, came on December 1, 1960 with the birth of their youngest child, Sandra Marie Santibañez, making their family complete. Pete's strength in management was once again recognized with his promotion to Assistant Station Supervisor of the U.S. Postal Service.

Being a family is important to Pete. His fondest memories include the time spend together during vacations. They would all pile into the family station wagon (and later with a tent trailer) driving off for days, camping, hiking and sightseeing thru sometimes stormy weather as well as warm, summer days. The Santibañez family enjoyed each others company and the time spent with Uncles, Aunts and cousins. There were large family gatherings for picnics, holidays and reunions to be celebrated. Good food, good company, good fun and lot's of laughter!

A lot happened in the years that followed: The Beatles, a presidential assassination, the advent of desegregation and affirmative action, the wars in South East Asia, political upheaval, we did make it to the moon and space exploration continues, the Women's Liberation Movement, the celebration of our nation's bicentennial, "Star Wars," an end to the cold war and the break-up of the Soviet Union, cable TV, fiber optics, satellite communications, surround sound, compact discs, personal computers, the information super highway, "Star Wars" again, DVDs and most important of all, the Santibañez family continued to grow and flourish with love. Pete has two daughters, two sons and seven grandchildren.

Connie and Pete moved to Lake Elsinore in 1986 where Pete still resides today. In 1990, Pete accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

Dad,

You have our love, respect and admiration. And since Mom is now with us in spirit only, you are the "strongest tree in the forest." Your dignity, integrity, generosity, wisdom and all of the other facets of your character have influenced our lives and the lives of our children and, continue to do so.

You are always there and we find great comfort in your concern for our well being. Our gratitude is immeasurable and we extent to you the same as you have always made available to us, and that is, that our homes and our hearts are always open to you. Thank You for being who you are and what you are.

Happy Birthday!