GREATEST ACIEVEMENT:

It seems Louie's greatest achievement is bringing a smile to people all over Queens traveling along the Long Island Expressway. Most visible along pedestrian overpasses near the Queens Center Mall, Louise dresses head to toe in his patriotic regalia: reds, whites and blues and is always with an Uncle Sam-style tove top hat. His custome also includes a dazzling array of flags attached to his clothing, plus one clutched by each hand waving in perpetual greeting to all the encounters.

MOST OUTGRAGEOUS ACT:

His lone act of waving flags dressed in full-length patriotic on a daily over the Long Island Expressway seems outgrageous enough.

COMMUNITY CHARACTERS:

Is this really necessary? Take a look at the photo, not even Frank Skala's colorful, loud, Hawaiian motif can compete with Loud the Flag Man.

WORKING RELATIONSHIP:

According to Louie, making people smile is his goal. And if you talk to someone who sees him on daily basis, he is more than a success.

Photo by Ira Cohen