Armed civilians guard York-area recruiting center
Video: Group of armed friends keep watch on recruiting station.
(York) — Sawyer Robinson’s parents and some relatives dropped him off at a U.S. Army recruiting station in Manchester Township.
After Robinson went inside the office Monday morning, his family turned to five people, all wearing jeans and black T-shirts, standing outside the center. Robinson’s family hugged them, shook their hands and thanked them.
The five people — four men and one woman — had handguns at their side. They said they were there to show support for the military members and offer protection in response to the shooting deaths last week of four Marines and one sailor in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“We’re just basically standing here to protect them, because they do it every day for us. They’re not allowed to be armed in the facilities,” James Fitzgerald, 47, told Robinson’s relatives, as they stood outside recruiting offices for multiple branches of the military. “It’s our way of showing thanks.”
People have stood guard in front of stations in other areas of the country, according to news reports.
Fitzgerald, who said his late father and late brother both served in the military, said he and the others came up with the idea Friday evening. Fitzgerald and the others there Monday morning belong to a group called the III%ers, which Fitzgerald described as a patriot group.
“We’re not some crazed militia,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re patriots that believe in our rights, our constitution and our country.”
They showed up at the Armed Forces Career Center around 8 a.m. Monday, Fitzgerald said.
They had some motorcycles out front and wore different types of black shirts.
Elizabeth Kehr, of York Township, wore a Harley-Davidson shirt. Matt Snyder, of Springettsbury Township, had a University of Alabama shirt.
On the back of Brian Frazier’s shirt there was an image of an American flag wrapped around the lower half of a skull. The text said: “I’m The Infidel Allah Warned You About.”
Frazier, who said he served 16 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, said he wears the shirt to send an anti-terrorism message.
“It’s not anti-Muslim at all, not in any way, shape or form,” Frazier said.
Fitzgerald said they aren’t sending a message to any race or religion, and he said they aren’t looking for trouble. He said they are trying to put themselves in the line of fire first to protect members of the military.
“If it does happen, God forbid, we will be prepared to defend ourselves,” Fitzgerald said.
Dr. Zarar Bajwa, president of the local group for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, condemned the attacks in Tennessee, and offered prayers and condolences for those killed.
“Terrorism has no religion,” he said.
Bajwa said he understands that emotions are running high right now, but he questioned what civilians are accomplishing by standing guard outside military recruiting offices.
“I think we must maintain peace and patience,” Bajwa said.
Officials at the recruiting offices referred comments to military spokespeople.
Sgt. Pedro Cardenas, a spokesman for the U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Pittsburgh, said the corps appreciates the support “during this hard time.”
Cardenas said even though people are allowed to stand guard outside the recruiting offices, the Marine Corps is generally asking them not to.
“We continue to trust our trained first responders,” Cardenas said.
Bill Irwin, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion, said: “We respect the rights of these individuals to gather in a lawful manner.”
Northern York County Regional Police Chief Mark Bentzel said the department hasn’t received any complaints about the people standing guard. He said it’s legal for them to openly carry guns.
Fitzgerald said the feedback they received has been positive and no one asked them to leave. He said they hope to recruit others so they can increase the amount of time they can stand guard at the offices.
Many people showed up to the Manchester Crossroads shopping center along Route 30 to thank group members for what they were doing.
Harriet Gray, of Springettsbury Township, saw a friend post on Facebook about what the group was doing. Gray showed up with her 2-year-old and 6-month-old boys, and she gave doughnuts and water to Fitzgerald and the others.
“Oh my goodness — more,” Kehr said.
Gray thanked them for what they were doing, and they thanked her for the refreshments.
Gray asked her 2-year-old, Samuel, if he wanted to say hi. He seemed reluctant at first.
“You are not shy!” Gray said and laughed, then turned to the group. “Actually, I think he’s wondering what he can get into.”
He ended up giving a wave, but no high fives.
Scott Robinson said his 18-year-old son, Sawyer, always wanted to join the military. On Monday, Sawyer arrived at the station to then head to boot camp in Missouri. Fitzgerald and the others thanked Sawyer Robinson before he entered the office.
“We weren’t expecting it,” said Scott Robinson. “It’s very nice.”
Other civilian outposts
Civilians and others have stood guard in front of stations in other areas of the country, according to news reports:
· Man with AR-15 stands guard at Virginia military recruiting offices.
· Hiram, Georgia, residents hold watch at recruitment center.
· Wayne County, Ohio, Sheriff Deputies stand guard at recruitment center.
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This article comes to us through a partnership between York Daily Record and WITF.
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