Marine veteran stands guard at Crown Point recruiting center

CROWN POINT, Ind. (WLS) -- After the deadly shooting at two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., Indiana Governor Mike Pence allowed National Guardsmen to be armed in his state. But that order does not extend to all branches of the military. Now one Indiana Marine veteran is using his concealed carry privilege to watch over his comrades.

Heightened security around the Crown Point Indiana Marines recruiting center is largely obvious, but some may not notice an armed Marine veteran nearby on a self-defined mission.

"I feel like I need to do something," says Tom Willoughby. "If sitting out here and showing my respect and showing maybe I can protect something then that's what I'm going to do."

"I praise him and hope to keep him safe sitting out there," says resident Pat Shields.

Tom Willoughby was 17 when he signed up for the Marines in North Carolina. He would also later be assigned as a recruiter in Illinois.

Willoughby's service was long behind him when he heard about the tragedy in Tennessee.

I'll be honest with you, and I'm not one to say this much, but I sat and cried in my shop when I heard it," Wiloughby said.

In other parts of the country, citizens have taken up similar posts around recruiting centers.

The Marines have not asked for this civilian security detail. Instead, they are asking people to leave security to first responders.

"We greatly appreciate their support during this tragedy but we just kinda ask citizens not stand guard at our recruiting offices," says Sgt. Tyler Mitchell, Marketing and Public Affairs, Recruiting Station Indianapolis, US Marines

Barb Young, a business owner and resident of Crown Point who had three Marine brothers, is concerned about civilians taking on the role of security.

"You think of all the things that have already happened in the country," Young says. "Someone could be trigger happy. I'm not saying anyone here but it could be anywhere in the country."

For now, Willoughby says he will stand his ground and continue his volunteer service.

"Them guys don't need no help," he says. "They are Marines, they are the toughest guys around. But somebody needs to be out here to show they care."

The Lake County Sheriff says he does not condone this activity and urges anyone who notices suspicious activity near a military center to call 911.