Al Schmidt, U.S. Navy veteran and Morgan Hill resident, has been
selected as grand marshal for the 2011 Gilroy Memorial Day Parade.
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Al Schmidt, U.S. Navy veteran and Morgan Hill resident, has been selected as grand marshal for the 2011 Gilroy Memorial Day Parade.
Schmidt, 78, currently is the chaplain for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6309, located in Gilroy. He also has served the American Legion Post No. 217 in Gilroy for 22 years, five as the commander.
VFW trustee Bob Diaz, who has known Schmidt for about 10 years, said Schmidt was a good choice for grand marshal because he was dependable.
“He’s served his country just like everyone else,” Diaz said. “He’s out there when we need him.”
Diaz said Schmidt often assists fellow veterans as a member of the organization’s honor guard.
“He’s a good man,” Diaz said. “He’s a very active member. He helps set up, he helps serve.”
Schmidt was born in Illinois and raised in North Dakota before joining the U.S. Navy in 1952.
In October 1955, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Toledo CA-133 heavy cruiser out of Long Beach.
As a petty officer second class, he was in charge of a duty section, missile guidance and surface radar.
He was part of a six-week deployment to Japan joining Task Force 77 for patrols off Korea and the South China Sea in 1955. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in June 1956.
Joe V. Gonzales, VFW District 12 commander, said Schmidt was a “a good joker” and was well-known throughout the community.
“Al’s a good man. He’s a very active veteran,” Gonzales said. “Whenever we have a dedication or a service and call for the honor guard, he’s there.”
Schmidt graduated with a business degree from California State University, Chico, in 1959. While attending Chico he met and married his wife, Rosemary in 1958. They have three children, 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
“He’s a family man,” Gonzales said.
Schmidt is retired from a 30-year insurance career and resides in Morgan Hill.
