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.

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