Flags Retired in a Blaze of Old Glory

His arms were shot off, yet Pvt. Thomas Plunkett didn't let the stars and stripes of the United States hit the ground in the battle against the South.

The stirring story of Plunkett in the Civil War was perhaps the highlight of the flag retirement ceremony last month at Rancho Santa Margarita City Hall. Although the event took place on Flag Day, appropriately, it's a good reminder heading into Independence Day, which is often watered down as the Fourth of July. 

But July 4 is Independence Day, and it's a virtual certainty that you'll hear Lee Greenwood's "I'm Proud to Be an American" at some point.

But for members of Mission Viejo-based American Legion Post 862, every day is Independence Day, and they led the reverent service in which the flag flying over City Hall—its colors faded by the elements and time—was lowered for the last time, its red and white stripes separated, and placed into a fire.

It was replaced by a new flag.

Under the direction of outgoing American Legion Commander Thomas Spratt and incoming Commander Frank Cook and with the help of local Boy and Girl Scouts, the ceremony put to rest about a hundred flags.

Among the most touching was the penultimate flag, which was placed into the fire by 2nd Lt. Victor Ray of the United States Marines. Ray, of Trabuco Canyon, graduated from local Boy Scouts Troop 623.

Mayor Tony Beall, delivered the last flag to the fire, but spoke to the crowd assembled before him.

"Flag day and what it stands for is very important to Rancho Santa Margarita," Beall said. "When each of us look at the flag, it means something different to each of us. When I look at the flag, one of the first things I sense is pride and thankfulness that myself and my family get to live in a country where we're free, and we have liberty, and it's the greatest country on earth. Quickly it turns to gratitude for the men and women who have given their life to ensure that we always remain free, and then I have a feeling of responsibility to do our part to stand up for those ideals that this country was founded upon in which those brave men and women gave their lives for.

"Ultimately, it's the United States of America. It should unite all of us in pride for our country. We're all one, lucky to live in these 50 united states."