ROCHESTER, N.Y. — American flags will once fly along 490 Tuesday morning. The new York State Department of Transportation is re-installing two flag poles it look down just days ago. 

“It's about the American flag. That's our freedom. This is our freedom. I don’t care where you came from. If you're in the United States be proud of that flag because you came here for some reason”," said Jeremy Lamb, a Vietnam veteran.

Veterans and some political leaders were outraged after the flags were removed. The DOT says the three flagpoles were taken down because of maintenance issues. A spokesman saying the timing couldn't have been worse as the American Legion will hold its 100th anniversary celebrations in Rochester starting Thursday. The DOT has since apologized for the move.

Lamb is proud to have an American Flag posted outside his home in Ontario County. The veteran took a stand against the state's transportation department for removing all American flags from along Interstate 490 in Rochester.

 “What’s this country built around? I believe part of it is the stars and stripes,” he said. “The only thing I can say is, why did you take them down?”

And he’s not the only one with questions.

 “My question is, and my disappointment is, why couldn’t it be fixed?” asked State Senator Rich Funke. “Why couldn’t we come to a reason compromise to be able to maintain these flag pole going forward?”

According to the DOT, they chose to take three flagpoles down because of safety concerns. A statement released by the office specified lighting and rigging as the deciding factors.

“Timing is everything and the timing couldn’t be worse,” Funke said.

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the American Legion, with a convention set for Rochester on Thursday ready to welcome delegates from across the state.

“Where’s the flag to welcome them if they are coming up 490 or 390,” Lamb asked.

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said Monday she also was concerned about the missing flags. She said she’d be taking her concerns straight to the DOT.

Within hours, her office confirmed that the flagpoles will be replaced, and that her office was pushing to have them back in their rightful positions by Thursday, in time for the American Legion convention.