Keith Wilkes did all he could getting the word out about the Western Lancaster County 9.12 Group he was forming.

Even so, he had no idea what kind of turnout there would be at the inaugural meeting earlier this month.

But to Wilkes' surprise, 60 people showed up at the July 17 gathering in Mount Joy. "It was a great start," he said.

What came through at the meeting loud and clear, he said, is that "people are very concerned about where the country is going."

The local 9.12 group and others across the country have grown out of the 9.12 Project conservative radio and TV commentator Glenn Beck started last year.

The stated mission of the 9.12 movement is to restore the national unity felt after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Wilkes said most of those present were more worried about their children's and grandchildren's future than their own.

They ranged in age from 18-93, with many in their 50s and 60s, he said. Quite a few were from the Landisville, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, Marietta and Manheim areas, said Wilkes, a Mount Joy resident who's president of Fear Knot Martial Arts For Kidz.

Though individuals who join the grass-roots organization "aren't going to agree on everything," there was a lot of common ground, he said.

That included widespread concern about the expansion of government — which some view as socialism — and increasing property taxes, Wilkes said.

The trend is toward less personal liberty, he said, "and we don't want that to be the norm."

Another problem that needs to be addressed, Wilkes said, is that the younger generation is growing up with a feeling of "entitlement."

In addition, attendees expressed a desire to see religious faith play a greater role in how community and government decisions are made, he said.

"I believe in God, and he is the center of my life" is one of the nine principles of the 9.12 movement.

The group also wants to learn more about local political candidates by inviting them to speak, Wilkes said.

The next meeting will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, in the clubhouse of The Orchards development, 421 Glenn Ave., Mount Joy.

A representative of the York 9.12 Group will address the gathering, Wilkes said, and members may discuss formation of a political action committee.