Veterans Now Protecting Recruiting Personnel

Michael Swinford and his wife, Patricia Neal Swinford, decided to make sure what happened in Chattanooga last Thursday doesn't happen in Paducah. 

Swinford is a Vietnam veteran, and since those who work at the Armed Forces Career Center on Village Square Drive can't carry weapons to defend themselves, the couple is exercising their right to openly carry weapons, and stationed themselves at the front door Monday. 

By Tuesday, several others had joined them, and a notebook on a patio table has a list of names that is growing. It contains volunteers who have contacted Swinford in the last 36 hours because they are willing to help stand guard. 

He said something might happen somewhere else, but, "they're gonna have to go through all of us to get inside, and that's not going to happen."

Swinford said he believes the community understands that someone should defend these soldiers if they can't defend themselves. People have stopped by to say hello, or have honked and waved while driving by the entrance.

Swinford said, "I appreciate those people - maybe they weren't even in the military - but yet, they feel like they want to be a part of this because they don't want anything to happen here that's happened in Chattanooga."

Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez opened fire at a Chattanooga recruiting center and a Navy and Marines Reserve Center on July 16, killing four Marines and wounding three other people before he was shot by police. One of the three injured - a Sailor - died the next day.

Swinford said none of the volunteers have a round in the chamber of their weapon, to avoid any accidents. And no more than two people can stand outside the entrance, or they could be charged with loitering, so Swinford said he got permission from the owners of Spicy Ginger Restaurant for two people to stand near their entrance, too. 

Swinford said the volunteers are not trying to interfere with anyone who is a customer - they just want to keep a watchful eye and protect the ones who are serving our country.

A recruiter who works inside the office was asked how he felt about the volunteers, but said he was not allowed to comment.