Hikers replace torn U.S. flag at top of trail above Sun City

Five local residents, including military veterans and an ex-law enforcement officer, replaced a tattered U.S. flag at the top of a hiking trail above the Sun City community in Menifee Aug. 5.

A group of hikers from Menifee completed the first part of an ambitious task Aug. 5 when they hiked to the top of a mountain trail above west Menifee and replaced a tattered U.S. flag.

Brandon Zundel, Andrew Ross, John Soto, Jeff Black and Shannon Stephenson have pledged to replace all of the several U.S. flags that are planted at the top of hiking trails in the Menifee Valley. The first flag is posted at the top of what is known as “U.S. Flag Memorial Trail” on the website alltrails.com, which lists local hiking trails.

Three of the five men are either active or former military or law enforcement.

“There are several U.S. flags flying over Menifee atop various hills and we intend to replace them all over the next several months,” Zundel said.

Map shows the trail head (green dot) near Ridgemoor Road in the Sun City community and the trail to the top of the hill. Map courtesy of alltrails.com