Published in the July 19 – August 1, 2017 issue of Gilroy Life

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Morgan Hill resident Chad Martino is one patriotic dude. For the past five years he has flown a huge 25-feet by 15 feet American flag on the front of his house for five days during the Fourth of July holiday. The flag is taller than his two-story condo off W. Dunne Avenue.

He said he flies the flag every year to honor our troops, show his patriotism and celebrate Morgan Hill.Morgan Hill resident Chad Martino is one patriotic dude. For the past five years he has flown a huge 25-feet by 15 feet American flag on the front of his house for five days during the Fourth of July holiday.

The flag is taller than his two-story condo off W. Dunne Avenue. He said he flies the flag every year to honor our troops, show his patriotism and celebrate Morgan Hill.

“I love America,” he told us. “Especially here in Morgan Hill the Fourth of July is one of the most patriotic and most fun places to celebrate the holiday that honors this great country.”

This is likely the last time his flag will flutter in the winds of Morgan Hill as Martino, who was honored as the Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Philanthropist of the Year, is moving to Florida. Our loss will be your new neighbors’ gain, Chad.

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James Allen Taylor

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient James Allen Taylor, the Grand Marshall of the 2015 Morgan Hill Independence Day Parade, returned this year to watch our annual festivities. He told us he enjoys the Patriotic Sing the evening of July 3 and stays overnight to watch the parade. In fact, this year he skipped a parade in Sacramento to visit Morgan Hill.

While he was here, he presented Dan and Kathy McCranie, owners of Ladera Grill, with a plaque for all they do for veterans. The plaque, which hangs in the restaurant, reads: In Recognition of Your Support of Our Veterans — “Others Before Self.”

Taylor, 79, joined the U.S. Army in 1956 and was commissioned an officer in 1965. By Nov. 8, 1967, he was serving as a First Lieutenant in Vietnam.

When his commander was wounded in action, Taylor was ordered into the combat zone to take command. During a battle the next day, Taylor repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue crewmen from damaged assault vehicles and personnel carriers. He was promoted to captain and awarded the Medal of Honor Nov. 19, 1968. Taylor reached the rank of major before retiring from the Army in 1980.

We thank James and all veterans who keep all Americans safe for their service. And we thank South Valley residents like the McCranies and others who support our veterans.

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A shout out to the Morgan Hill Pony Shetland All-Stars, who during the weekend of July 8-9, won the NorCal Shetland World Series in Seaside. This is a first for Morgan Hill Pony Baseball in the Shetland Division (5-6 year olds), manager Ryan Realini told us.

Eight teams qualified for the World Series from throughout Northern California by way of winning or placing second their section tournament. The Morgan Hill All-Stars qualified by winning the section tournament, defeating Blossom Valley. Morgan Hill went undefeated in the World Series Pool play.

Morgan Hill advanced to the Championship game against the two-time reigning champions Tara Hills (San Pablo), beating them 17-8 to win the Shetland NorCal World Series.Realini said the team of youngsters, with an overall record of 15-0-1, will compete in the Shetland World Series in Simi Valley the weekend of July 15-16. Congratulations and good luck, Shetland Pony All-Stars