Stars and Stripes Along Indian River Road
At 8:30 in the morning on July 3, a small crew of Fil-Am CAG volunteers gathered along Indian River Road in Virginia Beach — before the heat, before the traffic — with gloves, hand tools, and a stack of American flags to plant in time for Independence Day.
It was quiet, hot, and deeply meaningful. Filipino Americans, many of them veterans and long-time community leaders, honoring the country we call home by lining our streets with the flag.
On the Ground · July 3, 2026
- Dr. Rey and Elma Pascual
- Ted and Sophie Villanueva
- William dela Cruz
- Mike Larson
- Nony Abrajano — Founder, Fil-Am CAG
A special salamat to Nony Abrajano — the founder of Fil-Am CAG — who treated the whole crew to breakfast at IHOP Landstown after the last flag went in. Thirty-five years since he started this organization, and he was still out there before sunrise on July 3, planting flags alongside everyone else and picking up the tab after. That is exactly the rhythm of our community — work together, then break bread together.
If you drove down Indian River Road on the Fourth and saw the flags lined up along the roadside, that was us. Small effort. Big statement.
Great job, everyone. This is what “Add your voice. Strengthen the community.” looks like on a Friday morning.
— Angelo Reyes
Chairman, Fil-Am Community Action Group