Old Glory Relay Heads Through Gilroy :
Local Veterans Run with Honor and Glory
by Mike Sanchez
LEFT : Wes Piatt enroute to Gilroy on Monterey Hwy . RIGHT : ( from left ) Capt . Jesse Sanchez , US Army , Ret ., Edward Sanchez , US Air Force , Ret ., Steve McWilliams , US Army , Ret ., and Wes Piatt , US Air Force , Ret . celebrate completing the South County leg . LOWER LEFT : Jesse Sanchez turns the corner at 6th and Monterey . LOWER RIGHT : Ceremony at the Gilroy Vets Hall .
On April 24 three local veterans took place in the Old Glory Relay , a 4,000-mile relay from Seattle , WA to Atlanta , GA . In partnership with Team RWB , a National nonprofit group focused on promoting health and well-being for veterans of all ages , the local vets carried “ Old Glory ” from South Morgan Hill to the Veterans ’ Memorial Building in Gilroy .
At 10:30 am Steve McWilliams , US Army , Ret ., took the hand off just south of the old Uesugi Pumpkin Patch on Monterey Hwy . He proceeded south to Gilroy on his electric bicycle .
At 10:45 am McWilliams arrived at the intersection of Monterey Hwy and Day Road in Gilroy , where he rendezvoused with Wes Piatt , US Air Force , Ret . The two exchanged salutes and Piatt took possession of the flag . Piatt , owner of Coast Range CrossFit in Gilroy , hit the street , running south into Gilroy .
At 11:05 am Piatt rendezvoused with Captain Jesse Sanchez , US Army , Ret . at the intersection of Monterey Hwy and Leavesley Rd . After a brief hug , salute , and flag exchange , Sanchez embarked on his run south on Monterey Hwy into the heart of Downtown Gilroy . He proceeded to 6th Street and headed west towards the Vets Hall on 6th and Eigleberry St .
Upon arriving at the hall , Sanchez presented Team RWB with a salute and transferred the flag . Hugs and high fives were in order , as were photo ops with the participants , their families , and members of Team RWB . Taji100 , a major supporter , presented Team RWB with a check during a brief ceremony . After a few short speeches , Old Glory on the road again , heading west over Hecker Pass to Carmel Sunset Beach , completing the South County leg .
“ We are honored to be included in the Old Glory Relay ,” said Gabe Perez , board president for the South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District . “ Organizations like Team RWB provide such vital services for those who served our country . We are happy to support them .”
Reflecting on the relay , the participating veterans vacillated between pride , humility , honor , and joy . There was no doubt in anyone ’ s mind that these veterans had been a part of something special .
To learn more about Team RWB and the Glory Run , visit : www . aboutreamrwb . org .
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