‘God Bless America’ banner gets nationwide support

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The fax machine is ringing off the hook at Crumpton’s Furniture.

Among the many phone calls in support of the “God Bless America” banner at the Fayetteville store, there are people like Leonard Thompson of Maryville, Tenn., who told Ronnie Crumpton that he and his brothers, all Vietnam Veterans, were willing to come down and “defend” the banner with their rifles.

City officials have told Ronnie and brother Eddie Crumpton that the banner must come down because it has been up longer than the 60 days law allows. Eddie Crumpton was issued a ticket several weeks ago citing him for violating the sign ordinance, and he is due to answer the charge in court March 15.

The Crumptons appeared on the Fox News show “Hannity and Colmes” earlier this week, but they turned down a limo ride to whisk them to the television studio. It wasn’t their style.

So many troops and relatives of military members have told the Crumptons to keep the banner flying that Ronnie can’t even think about taking the banner down now.

“I could not get up there and cut a strand down,” Ronnie Crumpton said. “I feel I’d be letting down so many people who’ve been let down.”

When Ronnie goes to the bank, complete strangers recognize him from seeing his photo in the newspaper or on TV.

“They ask me, ‘Are you Ronnie Crumpton? Do you have a petition? I want to sign your petition.”

City officials have told the Crumptons they can move the banner inside the window of the store and it would be within the law. But the windows are tinted and the banner wouldn’t be as visible, Ronnie Crumpton said.

The city would also allow the Crumptons to add “God Bless America” to one of its permanent business signs,

The Crumptons have contended they don’t want to disobey any city ordinances and they are not doing this as a publicity stunt for their business.

The store was closed for several hours last weekend when J93.3 Christian Radio Station held a petition signing drive at the store.

The flap began after another business owner complained about the “God Bless America” banner when that owner’s store was ordered to take down a temporary sign.