(SHREWSBURY) - Hundreds of Maryland National Guard troops in tanks and armored vehicles stormed over the Mason-Dixon line and into this York County community overnight, seizing the borough, nearby New Freedom and three surrounding townships in the name of Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley.
For many locals, the incursion brought back memories of the 1991 Battle of Glen Rock, when members of a local militia fended off a similar takeover attempt from the south.
"You've got to give them credit," said New Freedom resident Gary Fardlewood of last night's attack. "They seemed much more organized this time." Fardlewood said he "thought something was up" when he emerged from Lamotte's Corner Bar around 1:45 a.m. and saw a tank on the street corner.
When asked about the attack by reporters at the Capitol today, Governor Ed Rendell said he was not told of the incident until several hours after it happened in a phone call from Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director James Joseph.
For many locals, the incursion brought back memories of the 1991 Battle of Glen Rock, when members of a local militia fended off a similar takeover attempt from the south.
"You've got to give them credit," said New Freedom resident Gary Fardlewood of last night's attack. "They seemed much more organized this time." Fardlewood said he "thought something was up" when he emerged from Lamotte's Corner Bar around 1:45 a.m. and saw a tank on the street corner.
When asked about the attack by reporters at the Capitol today, Governor Ed Rendell said he was not told of the incident until several hours after it happened in a phone call from Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director James Joseph.
