Largest RV dealer wins the legal battle over problematic flag 

There are not many countries in the world whose residents respect the flag as much as Americans do. To some foreigners, this may seem strange, but for Americans, it is normal, because the flag is seen as a symbol of freedom and opportunity. 

There’s a thread on Quora that tackles the question: “Why do Americans feel so passionately about the national flag?” 

A number of Americans shared their views. For Nick M., it's about building “unity and a sense of patriotism,” while David F. Prenatt Jr. explains that it stems from how they were raised.

Since 1775, there have been 27 versions of the flag. The current one was designed and officially adopted in 1960. It contains 13 stripes and 50 stars, and it is the only flag to have lasted more than 50 years. 

Those who came to America at a young age in pursuit of the American dream often also embrace the same love for the flag. They are actually paying respect to the country that made their dreams possible. 

Sometimes, when people feel passionately about something, they express it in unusual ways, which can fuel controversy.

Camping World hangs a gigantic American flag, gets sued 

In October 2024, Camping World (CWH) hung a huge American flag, which led to one store closure and a lawsuit. The flag was hung at the company’s location on the corner of Evans Street and Red Banks Road in Greenville, North Carolina. 

Camping World is one of the nation’s biggest retailers of RVs, RV accessories, and RV-related services. It has been operating since 1966 and went public in 2016, raising $251 million.  

It started with a single store in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to become a large RV dealer with more than 130 SuperCenters nationwide and a full-service call center.  

Council members said the flag is roughly the size of a basketball court — 3,200 square feet — and flies on a 130-foot-tall pole, nearly double the allowed height under current regulation. 

City regulators voted to sue over the flag, arguing it violates a city ordinance. They fined Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis $15,000. The dispute affected Camping World’s business in Greenville, as the RV dealer had to close one of its two stores there. 

 The lawsuit was officially filed in June and was costing the city thousands in taxpayer dollars. According to the report from New ABC 12, Camping World faced $27,500 fines in July, as the city was fined $250 per day until the flag met the requirements or was removed. 

Why did Lemonis refuse to remove the flag at any cost? 

For Lemonis, who was born in Lebanon and adopted by a Florida family, the flag plays an important role.

He grew up around his family’s car dealership, where the Stars and Stripes were proudly hung. Lemonis dreamed about flying a bigger flag at his business. 

That’s why he refused to take it down, even at the cost of jail time. 

“Not when they sue, not when I lose, not if they take me to jail, the flag is not coming down,” Lemonis said in March 2025, according to WITN.

Lemonis added that he believes the ordinance is wrong, and that council members have worked to "disparage" his business, which is why he had to consolidate one of the two dealerships in town.   

In August, Lemonis further explained his stance: 

“I will never take it down, and the reason for that, it’s my love letter as an immigrant to this country who, quite frankly, was given a gift. I did it legally. I went through the process. I worked my ass off trying to figure out how to make a living. That flag is my appreciation, my gratefulness to this country for allowing me to do that.” 

Greenville drops lawsuit against Camping World  

On October 6, The Greenville City Council voted 5-0 to dismiss their lawsuit against Camping World voluntarily, reported News ABC 12. 

The decision to drop the lawsuit came after a new House Bill 926, also known as the Regulatory Reform Act of 2025, took effect without Governor Josh Stein’s signature. Essentially, the bill prevents county or city regulators from restricting the U.S. or state flag from being flown on private or public property with owner consent. 

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The regulators are still allowed to restrict the flag, but only with “evaluation of and written findings of fact to document the public health safety and welfare concerns.”

City of Greenville Attorney Emanuel McGirt said the council authorized the city to take a voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit and cancel civil penalties. 

As of late September, Camping World had $37,500 in fines from the city, which will be abated. 

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