The roof of Lamons Gasket Co. near Hobby Airport in Houston TX.

Scott LoBaido, a New York City artist, has been working on this labor of love since Flag Day (June 14th).  Plagued with recent rains, LoBaido said he hopes the weather will let him finish the 150,000-square-foot painting of a waving flag by Independence Day.

"Most people just put a flag in their yard," he said, laughing.

"I want people to fall back in love with America," the artist said. "I just saw our nation start to become divided and knew I had to do something."

"America is the best place to live, and I've been to over 40 countries," said Allen, who's from the United Kingdom. "When I heard about this, I told Scott that whatever it takes, we would help. I'll be up there on Sunday, too, helping him finish this."

While LoBaido considered several locations for the painting, he said Lamons' was best because of its diverse work force, which includes people from more than 23 countries, and because of its building's close proximity to the airport.

"A woman e-mailed me to tell me that her son was flying in this weekend," LoBaido said. "He's going to see this gift for him and all the other troops, and that's why I'm doing this."

Using only 9-inch rollers and an estimated 900 gallons of paint, LoBaido called the project his "gigantic birthday gift" to America.

Very Cool.

"I'm out of my mind to be on a metal roof in Houston, Texas, in June," he said. "The last thing I'm going to do, though, is cower. There's just no comparison to what those soldiers do."

In 2006, LoBaido traveled nationwide to paint Old Glory on roofs in all 50 states. The flag he did then for Texas is in Fort Worth.

LoBaido said he is looking forward to muscling his way to a front-row seat to Houston's fireworks display tonight.

"I want to feel the thunder inside me," he said. "I'll have my iPod and The Battle Hymn of the Republic playing. Tears streaming and everything. You can't explain it.

Hey Scott, how about doing all the WalMart roofs?

– Chron Article