“Patriot” organizations have more than tripled in number across New England since 2008— Members insist they are country-loving, God-fearing citizens with a keen sense of the dangers facing the United States.

“I believe in America,” said Celia Hyde of Stow, who serves on the national board of directors of Oath Keepers — an association of cops and military veterans who are here to defend our constitution!

“Without (America), we don’t have anything. Our message is, start waking up because what you enjoy today you may not have to enjoy tomorrow,” Hyde said.

“I’m not preaching hate to anyone. I don’t know of any group that’s trying to overthrow our government,” Selfridge said. “I love America. We’re strong Second Amendment people. We believe the government has overstepped its bounds. We believe we need to return our government to its founding principles.”

Hyde, the Oath Keepers board member, is a former Bolton police chief and now an innkeeper in Stow.

“We’re the good guys,” Hyde said. “People are finally — thank goodness — waking up to what’s going on around them and learning they have a voice.