Honoring Old Glory

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- These days, no glory is enough glory for Old Glory.

That’s why Newport Beach businessman Ralph Rodheim has decided to hold a

flag-retiring ceremony every Friday and Saturday evening this summer,

beginning tonight.

And to kick off the event, John Ratzenberger, best known as Cliff

Clavin on the long-running sitcom “Cheers,” will take part in the opening

festivities.

“It’s going to be so cool,” Rodheim said. “This is an opportunity to

show patriotism. It’s a way to take time out and be thankful for who we

are and what we have.”

Beginning about 7:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, three flags

donated by Nikki’s Flags will be retired at 510 Edgewater at the Balboa

ferry landing, next to Balboa Boat Rentals.

For the kickoff festivities, the city flag will be lowered and folded

with the help of Mayor Tod Ridgeway, who will be on hand to say a few

words. Then the state flag will be lowered and folded in official fashion

as the tall ship Lynx sails by with a cannon salute. Then Stars and

Stripes will be lowered and folded by Ratzenberger, wrapping up a

ceremony that will also include patriotic music and coincide with the

city’s Salute to Summer weeklong festivities on Balboa Peninsula.

“Having the Lynx participate is very special too,” Rodheim said.

Residents who want to have their own old flag of special significance

flown as part of the ceremony in upcoming weekends may do so. And

residents who want to take part in future flag-retiring ceremonies are

also welcome to get involved.

“It’s a good time now to take time and say how lucky we really are to

be Americans and also to remember the servicemen who are out there now

protecting us,” Rodheim said. “The flag is more than a piece of material;

it does have meaning, and I believe we should not forget that.”

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .

FYI

WHAT: Flag-retiring ceremony

WHEN: Beginning tonight, every Friday and Saturday evening from about

7:30 to 8:15 p.m.

WHERE: 510 Edgewater at the Balboa ferry landing, next to Balboa Boat

Rentals in Newport Beach

COST: Free

INFORMATION: To participate or have a flag flown in an upcoming

ceremony, call Charlie O’Donnell at (949) 673-7200. For general

information about the event, call Ralph Rodheim at (714) 557-5100, Ext.

13.