When it comes to patriotism, size matters.
That’s why Gander RV raised a 3,200-square-foot American flag over it’s store in Statesville, North Carolina.
And that’s a mighty big problem for the city council.
They filed a lawsuit against Camping World, the company’s owners, alleging the sign violates the city’s sign ordinance.
City leaders also imposed a $50 fine per day retroactive to October — meaning Camping World and Gander Outdoors owe about $11,000 in fines. Imagine that, folks, Americans being punished for flying the Red, White & Blue.
An online petition has already generated more than 138,000 signatures, the Charlotte Observer reported. Click here to sign the petition.
“I don’t care if it’s large enough to be seen from space,” wrote Glen Sexton. “I question the morals and honor of the folks who run the city if they want to enforce this.”
How about suing the Statesville City Council for being anti-American, another angry citizen wrote.
Television station WSOC reports flags are not permitted to be larger than 25 feet by 40 feet if they are flown within 100 feet of a highway. Gander RV is located alongside Interstate 77.
Camping World says it really doesn’t matter what the city council does because they are not going to take down Old Glory. They wrote on Facebook:
“Many cities like Statesville have requested that Camping World and Gander Outdoors take down their American Flags. WE WON’T DO IT! Stand with us. This is about more than just the flag. This is about our Veterans, Military, and the men and women that have sacrificed for this great country. They are the reason we fly the flag and they are the reason we will NOT take it down!”
You can’t put a price or a size on patriotism.