Sullivan County Man Dons Knight Costume to Protect Recruiting Stations

The Chattanooga, Tenn. murders of five service members inspired a Jeffersonville man to don a Knights Templar outfit and stand guard at Hudson Valley military recruiting stations, the Times-Herald Record reports.

Joseph Frye told the newspaper that he was tired of the government failing to protect its military servicemen and women:

"Service members should be protected," Frye said. "They volunteered to protect us, so I’m just trying to put heat on the issue."

Frye, who served in the Marines, stood guard at a Monticello Marines Recruiting Office last Thursday and plans to be at the Armed Forces Recruiters Station in Middletown this Thursday, according to the Times-Herald Record.

In addition to a Knights Templar flag and a 10-pound helmet, Frye brought a bow and arrows because he doesn't have a permit to carry a gun, Raw Story reports.

Frye advised those who would join him on the Hudson Valley recruiting station "Fire Watch Across America" to leave weapons at home unless they were authorized to carry:

****Please be sure not to bring a weapon unless you are licensed to carry in your area.****
We are not trying to incite civil disobedience, but to demonstrate we are able to defend our service men & women lawfully, by the rights given us by the Constitution.

Frye said on Facebook he would contact the recruiting stations he was looking to protect to ensure his actions didn't put them in danger:

I am going to call my recruiting station to find out if my actions May actually endanger the stations by making them more of a visual target, if they ask me to stand down I may follow that order.

Frye told the Times-Herald Record he hoped his actions would inspire a nationwide movement to protect service members.