A local July 4th tradition continues. Just days before our community celebrates the anniversary of our nation’s independence, Silvia Madriaga, a local Real Estate Agent at ResortQuest Real Estate and her band of Flaggers hit the streets placing over 1,000 flags in front of homes in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Each year for more than 19 years, Silvia has placed her flags with note cards saying “Happy Birthday America!” in front of mailboxes in neighborhoods throughout the area. Homeowners have come to expect this and even keep the keepsakes year after year to add them to the display. Flags line the streets and bring a sense of community to the area. “We go walking with stacks of flags in our arms. We get cheers and waves from passers by. We look forward to putting the flags out and people look forward to seeing them,” says Madriaga. The flags instill a sense of patriotism around town! It’s a little hot out but worth the work. It’s heartwarming to know that patriotism is alive and well in our area! “We enjoy it every year!,” she said.