Coldwell Banker Premier agents rally for Fourth

     Special to Real Estate
      Among this week's Independence Day celebrations will be a show of patriotic spirit by the realty agents at Coldwell Banker Premier Realty. Tomorrow, they will hit the streets and place American flags in the yards of neighborhoods valleywide.
      "... Close to 100 Coldwell Banker Premier Realty associates will be delivering over 15,000 American flags in neighborhoods of their choosing over the holiday," Bob Hamrick, owner/broker of the realty firm, said. "Last year, we delivered over 12,000 flags, and I was overwhelmed by the showing of appreciation from our Las Vegas neighbors. We received thank-you cards, e-mails and phone calls from hundreds of thankful patriots."
      Placing the flags is part of the Coldwell Banker nationwide network's "Celebrate America" program, which runs each year from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
      Sales agent Vince Rossetti's beat is his own neighborhood of Los Prados, U.S. Home's golf course community in northwest Las Vegas. For the past 12 years, he has placed an American flag on his neighbors' lawns.
      "Some residents actually call me the Santa Claus of the Fourth of July," Rossetti said. "It started out as a promotion for my real estate business, but it has become a sense of pride. It's my way of showing gratitude to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect this nation's freedom. The first year, I put out 125 flags, and this year we're up to 1,358 flags."
      Among the volunteers assisting Rossetti will be his son, Lawrence, who is also a Los Prados resident and Coldwell Banker agent.
      "We gather everybody at the clubhouse, divide up the flags and determine who's covering what villages, and then we're off and running," Lawrence Rossetti said. "Everybody knows that we really enjoy putting the flags out and they tell us how much they like it, too."
      Also assisting will be Bobby Meagher, a resident who works in the pro shop.
      "It's my job to get the golf carts ready to go for our three-hour trek around the community," he said. "The residents tell me how much they really like it, and it makes me feel good to put the flags out."
      Vince Rossetti said many teen-agers who live in Los Prados also volunteer their time, ensuring that each flag has a note attached. The note says: "Happy Fourth of July. Thirteen colonies found strength in unity. Through this unity, merged our country. From your neighbors, Vince, Lila and Lawrence Rossetti."
      Residents are equally delighted to participate in the program, according to Vince Rossetti.
      "It's not uncommon to see yards with six, seven, even 11 flags from years past," he said. "One lady told me that they hesitated to buy in here, and when they woke up on the morning of (July) Fourth, she said they knew they made the right decision. That makes me feel so proud of our neighborhood."
      Resident and gate guard Bob Hagstrom agreed.
      "Vince's flags match the flag that I put out, and I fly my flags on every special day throughout the year," Hagstrom said.
      Bob Creightdon, who served 30 years in the Marine Corps, also looks forward to placing the flags.
      "It's also my birthday, and I like seeing all of those flags. It's a glorious sight," he said.
      Coldwell Banker Premier Realty has two offices in Southern Nevada, and ranks No. 1 in sales among the network's Nevada affiliates. There are nearly 3,000 independently owned Coldwell Banker offices nationwide.Sunday, July 2, 2000 aPage 1M

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