Ladies and gentlemen, let’s talk about a story that truly captures the spirit of patriotism in action. This one’s about Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Camping World and star of CNBC’s “The Profit.”
Lemonis, an immigrant from Lebanon who’s made a name for himself in America, recently found himself in the middle of a flag-flying controversy in California. And his response? Well, let’s just say it’s a testament to his love for the country and what the American flag represents.
Here’s what happened: At a Camping World dealership on Interstate 5, just outside of Stockton, California, a massive American flag has been proudly flying high for some time. However, earlier this year, local authorities from San Joaquin County’s Community Development Department told the dealership to take down the flag.
The reason? Concerns over safety and the fact that the dealership didn’t have the proper permit to fly such a large flag. Now, California is known for its complicated regulations, and officials were just doing their jobs by ensuring everything was up to code.
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
But here’s where things get interesting. Lemonis, who has a reputation for being both patriotic and passionate about his business, wasn’t about to let this flag come down without a fight. He understood the need for safety and permits, but he felt strongly that this wasn’t just any flag. This was the American flag, a symbol of freedom, hope, and the values that many, including veterans and immigrants like himself, hold dear.
In an interview with FOX40, Lemonis made it clear that if there were genuine safety concerns, he’d comply immediately. But he was confident that the flagpole was secure and safe. He even mentioned that if it were any other flag, he wouldn’t have hesitated to take it down while the permit issues were being sorted out. But for the American flag, he stood firm, saying, “It’s symbolism about how we feel about this country.”
Lemonis’s connection to the flag runs deep. As he shared, he grew up in Miami, Florida, where his family had the largest flagpole at their car dealership. The American flag has always been a significant part of his life, a reminder of the opportunities he’s been given as an immigrant in this country.
And here’s the good news: as of Thursday, the issue seems to be resolved. The dealership got the permit, and the flag continues to fly proudly. But what really stands out is Lemonis’s unwavering commitment to keeping Old Glory flying high, no matter what obstacles came his way.