‘Merica.
Sometimes you gotta love the patriots who refuse to curb their enthusiasm and keep showing their love of the country despite the scolds trying to stop them. The latest example is when Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, a Lebanon-born entrepreneur and star of CNBC’s “The Profit,” found out about an issue in a California dealership concerning the American flag. Although it had been taken down at the insistence of local authorities, he demanded that it be flown again.
It was apparently all about a permit:
A California RV dealership is defiantly displaying the massive American flag that it was told to take down by local officials earlier this year — despite proudly flying similarly sized versions of the Stars and Stripes at its more than 250 other locations across the country without issue.
Camping World on Interstate 5 outside Stockton is well known for the giant Old Glory flying over its grounds — but in April, San Joaquin County Community Development ordered that it be taken down for safety reasons and lack of a permit, Fox40 reported.
It’s back:
Camping World defies county orders to remove their massive American flag, flying it high in a stand for patriotism and freedom.
CEO Marcus Lemonis, an immigrant and proud citizen, underscores the flag’s symbolism and their commitment to the American spirit.
This flag… pic.twitter.com/v9EX3bXG8m
— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld_) August 8, 2024
Yes, I see the Community Note on the above tweet. It doesn’t change that I love this guy’s patriotism, which is what this story is meant to be about.
Officials were worried about safety and noted that the required permit had not been issued. California is famous for its Byzantine regulation systems, but if there’s a danger, then it should be addressed. I don’t blame the officials in this case; they were doing their jobs.
Lemonis said he understands that but feels his flag—like the many others at Camping World locations—is safe and he wanted it to stay up while the issue was resolved:
“If we felt like we were putting people in danger or causing any issues with air traffic, which would absolutely not be OK, then I wouldn’t do it,” Lemonis said to FOX40.
Lemonis argued the flagpole was secure and set deeply in the ground. If it were any other flag but the American flag, he would have no problem taking it down while the permit issues were being resolved. However, he feels strongly about keeping the American flag up, no matter what.
“It’s symbolism about how we feel about this country. We have a lot of veterans who work for us, and a lot of veterans who shop with us,” Lemonis told Fox40. “I happen to be an immigrant. I was given the blessing of being able to enter this country and become a citizen, and I’m grateful for it. It’s been part of my life since I was a little child down in Miami, Florida, where we had the largest flag pole in Miami at our car dealership.”
It appears that the issue has been resolved as of Thursday, and the permit has been issued. Still, I love Lemonis’ insistence on flying the flag “no matter what.”
With too many in our country not appreciating the great nation within which we are honored to live, it’s great to say that for some, Old Glory is still a symbol of hope and freedom.
Camping World proudly raises huge American flag that local officials ordered taken down: ‘Symbolism about how we feel about this country’ | NY Post
The Stars and Stripes is back in business.
A California RV dealership is defiantly displaying the massive American flag that it… pic.twitter.com/FCIT4gI4iz
— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) August 8, 2024
