Scott LoBaido is not a veteran, but he is a patriot in every sense of the word. The 50-year-old artist is well known for using his creative talents to support the servicemembers who protect the country. In 2006, LoBaido embarked on a 10-month cross-country tour during which he painted the American flag on a rooftop in every state. In 2010, LoBaido set a recorded by painting the world's largest American flag near Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas.
LoBaido's latest undertaking is called the Fifty State Tour. Once again, he plans to visit all 50 states in the U.S. This time, however, LoBaido will be painting one of his famous renditions of the American flag on a VFW or American Legion post in every state. LoBaido always wanted his art to express gratitude for the service of American military members and veterans and is using this tour as a way to say thanks.
"I became fascinated with preserving the symbols of the countless brave Americans who stood, fought, marched, and sacrificed so much for our livelihood," he said on his personal website.
Every VFW or American Legion gets a different version of the painted flag, and it takes the artist about two to three days to finish each one. As of July 22, LoBaido had completed 40 of the 50 flags and was on schedule to complete his tour by August 2015.