WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. (WPTA 21) – A Whitley County man’s opinion is reflected on a flag he displays outside his home.

Dean Graham, a veteran, bought the flag after a recent encounter at a grocery store.

Graham said he bought the flag after a couple, speaking Spanish in the store left him upset.

He said he understands that English might not be an easy language to learn, but that he want’s people to at least try.

Graham said when he visits foreign countries he doesn’t expect to be accepted if he isn’t speaking their native language.

“I’m not offended, like I said, by Spanish speaking people. I just wish they would feel what I am trying to say, and say you know what here in America we will at least attempt to learn English,” said Graham.

However, not everyone in Graham’s community agrees with him.

“My question would be, if he bothered to ask if there’s a reason. I mean if he’s bold enough to say, people should speak English if they are going to live here, aren’t you bold enough to ask do you have a problem with English,” said Charles Owen who lives down the road from Graham.

Earlier this summer, Zimmer Biomet moved about 200 skilled workers from Puerto Rico to Columbia City. Zimmer Biomet decided to move workers and their families to work at the Warsaw campus, and have them reside in Columbia City. Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel said, at the time, he would make sure Columbia City would be welcoming to the Puerto Ricans. Mayor Daniel said Graham’s flag does not represent what his community stands for, “We’ve been very happy to welcome people from lots of different places, lots of different countries. We have three or four different countries represented in new businesses here this year,” said Mayor Daniels.

Graham also said he doesn’t plan on taking his flag down, but says he is prepared for people to disagree with it.