Despite initial resistance, San Joaquin County officials have granted Camping World a permit for its towering U.S. flag display, following a year-long standoff and public outcry in support of the patriotic display.
Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Camping World, has secured a permit for his towering U.S. flag display in French Camp, California, after a year-long standoff with local authorities. The company's initial decision to erect the 130-foot-tall flagpole without a permit sparked a public outcry and drew support from veterans and former boxer Tom Patti, a member of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
After more than a year of back and forth, the county has received documentation from Camping World and approved the company's plans. The flag is already flying above the sprawling lot once more.
Camping World CEO's Patriotic Display Receives Permit Approval After Standoff with Authorities
Patti praised Camping World for its unwavering commitment to patriotism, despite the initial permitting setbacks. He attributed the company's success in securing public support to its bold defiance against local ordinances.
"These guys go forward, they put big flag poles into the ground, but they don't go for advanced permitting in any capacity," Patti said. "If it becomes an issue, the company winds up getting massive public support – and potential new customers."
Camping World CEO's Patriotic Display Receives Permit Approval After Standoff with Authorities
Patti's own support for the flag was rooted in his personal connection to veterans and his belief in honoring those who have served their country. He pushed for the county to commemorate Flag Day with the POW/MIA flag alongside the American Flag above its headquarters.
"We'll have to assume that it was either a fantastic marketing opportunity, or they didn’t do the research that a permit would be required," Patti said. "Once we got the info we requested, we issued a permit, and it’s a done deal for us."
Camping World CEO's Patriotic Display Receives Permit Approval After Standoff with Authorities
County zoning rules were meant to address concerns about the safety of the flagpole's underground base to ensure it wouldn't be at risk of toppling over. The county had requested a site plan back in June 2023 and received it roughly a year later. The numbers checked out, and the country granted a permit this week.
The county requires permits for structures above 30 feet tall. San Joaquin officials denied claims that they ordered the retailer to take down the flag or issued any citations.
Camping World CEO's Patriotic Display Receives Permit Approval After Standoff with Authorities
Lemonis has defended the massive American flags at Camping World lots for years, sometimes in defiance of local ordinances. He told Fox News as far back as 2019 that he'd rather get locked up than shrink the scale of his patriotic displays.
"When veterans show up at the stores for the flag-raisings, and when they come on Saturdays and do their veteran rides, and they weep at the bottom of the flag pole, that's the conviction that I need to say it's just not going to come down," he said. "I would rather go to jail."
Camping World CEO's Patriotic Display Receives Permit Approval After Standoff with Authorities
Camping World has similar large flags at many of its 250 locations around the country.
