NATCHEZ &045; A sheer, but venerable American flag hangs in the window facing Canal Street of downtown’s Corner Bar. The banner’s red, white and blue colors are slightly faded due to years of sunlight; however, the tenor or what those colors emblematize clamors loud.

It is what Sgt. Phillip Randall Rugg was shouldering on March 22 &045; the third day of Operation Iraqi Freedom &045; when rocket-propelled grenades transformed his legs useless.

Legs Rugg used to letter in football, basketball and baseball for three years at St. Frederick’s in Monroe, La., were practically rubble. Legs Rugg used to steady himself and hit golf balls growing up.

On July 25 in &uot;A Community Salute to Sgt. Phillip Randall Rugg Golf Tournament&uot; at Calvert Crossing Golf Club in Monroe, Rugg will play his first round of golf since his left leg was amputated below the knee and the right required major surgery and skin grafts.

&uot;It’s going to be good for his mental attitude,&uot; said Corner Bar co-owner Tommy Geoghegan, an amputee victim himself who organizers asked to play. &uot;That’s the main thing. I wouldn’t pick up and go anywhere to play. I want to go to this. When I go up there I want us to win the tournament for him.&uot;

Rugg, who is married to the former Andrea Nicol Freeman of Ferriday, La., joined the Marine Corps in 1999 and graduated first in his class from Tank Mechanic School just months later.

On the ominous day Rugg, Sgt. Eric W. Perry and Master Gunnery Sgt. Guadalupe Denogean suffered direct hits to their M88 Tank Recovery Vehicle from a nearby farmhouse. Rugg, his legs counterproductive, pulled his way out of the hatch only to return with Perry to drag Denogean, who remained inside, to safety.

&uot;This guy has an unbelievable attitude about his injuries and loss,&uot; said friend and co-organizer Andrew Prince, who stood in Rugg’s wedding. &uot;Outwardly he’s dealing with everything great. He’s a very inspirational guy.&uot;

For his heroics, Rugg has been honored with the National Defense Ribbon, Anti-Terrorism Ribbon, Enduring Freedom Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon, Operation Iraqi Freedom Ribbon, Impact Naval Achievement Medal and the sacred Purple Heart.

After spending a week in Ramstein, Germany, and another 17 days in the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. &045; where visitors such as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss.,

who brought an ice chest full of crawfish and even a visit from President George W. Bush &045; Rugg returned home April 15.

Geoghegan, who jumped at the chance to play with Rugg, hopes his presence at the tournament will give Rugg the easement to see life moves on in spite of any impairments.

&uot;We’re all brothers-in-arms,&uot; said Geoghegan, who lost his left leg in 1970 during the Vietnam War at Chu Lai. &uot;It’s been 33 1/2 years ago since I fought. But war is war, and we’re all brothers in it. They (organizers) felt like one day with me on the course, for him to see my attitude and the way I play golf would be a boost for him.

&uot;I’m glad they thought of me. How many people know a person in my condition who plays golf.&uot;

Returning from the war, it took Geoghegan three years just to muster the courage to hit a drive, and another three to play an actual round. Today he is a regular in city events, joking his only handicap is &uot;one leg.&uot;

In the second week of September, Geoghegan heads off to Chaska, Minn., and Hazeltine Country Club to participate in the 2003 National Amputee Golf Championship.

&uot;There’s not a whole lot of us in the country when you think of a nation of 250 million people,&uot; Geoghegan said. &uot;There’s only going to be 120 of us who realistically compete for the national championship.&uot;

Geoghegan and Rugg will meet for the first time early next week at the Waterfront Grill in Monroe. Then, Thursday from 3-6 p.m. the community will get a chance to meet Rugg at the American Legion Hall in Monroe where Barksdale Air Force Base will fly a B-52 bomber overhead, followed by a silent auction and reception.

A $1,000-team sponsorship will get you into the few of the 22 remaining spots for the four-man scramble Friday. Door prize will be available throughout the day, in addition to the chance to win hole-in-one prizes, which include a Lincoln Town Car, a Nissan Frontier pick-up truck, a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV and a Hummer SUV.

While the benefit carries Rugg’s name this year, there are plans to extend the tournament in forthcoming summers in order for all delegations to be encompassed, Prince said.

&uot;We’re honoring all veterans, members of fire and police departments, astronauts and all servicemen,&uot; said Prince, who is encouraging seeking sponsorships for teams representing the military, law enforcement and fire departments. &uot;It’s a community salute to all American heroes.&uot;

Geoghegan played as a youngster, but never got a chance to play in high school at Cathedral, opting instead to run track due to a shortage of athletes.

Geoghegan is hopeful his mere presence in next week’s scramble will give Rugg an impetus he never got.

&uot;I didn’t have an incentive because when I came back I didn’t know anybody in my condition who played,&uot; Geoghegan said. &uot;That’s the great thing about this. They knew me and I that I play golf. It’ll put him miles ahead of where I was. It took me six years to play.

&uot;Attitude is everything as far as life is concerned. You can’t let anything hold you back. If I’m going to play you in pool or golf, or whatever, I’m going to try to beat you. If you beat me then you’ll know you got my best.&uot;