The owners of a Michigan bed and breakfast have removed the Norwegian flag from their property after several people in the town mistook it for the Confederate Flag.
Greg and Kjersten Offenbecker have been flying the Norwegian flag next to the American flag at their inn, The Nordic Pineapple, for 2 years to honor Kjersten’s heritage, the Lansing State Journal reported. They decided to remove the flag last week after getting hateful emails and comments from people who thought it was a Confederate Flag. (RELATED: Norway To Ask The Pentagon To Double US Presence On Russia’s Front Door)
“We hang the Norwegian flag because I am a 4th generation Norwegian-American,” Kjersten told the Daily Caller. “I am very proud of that heritage and wanted to share a piece of it with the people who come to visit our bed and breakfast.”
“The Norwegians are a peaceful people who love family and that is what our inn really is all about,” she said. “We just want people to come stay with us and experience a wonderful getaway.”
Kjersten said that it was a difficult decision to take down the flag. The couple had received around “2 dozen hateful emails” from people who thought she was flying the Confederate flag, but they had gotten more hateful recently. “We have 4-5 really nasty ones that are much more hurtful,” she said.
Greg Offenbecker served in the Navy during Desert Storm, and the couple has 2 adopted black children.
“Many people have told us we should rehang it and not give in to the hatred and prejudice out there and we absolutely see that point but for now feel that until we can find a way to display it that help eliminate the confusion we should leave it down,” Kjersten said. “Hopefully it will be back up soon.”