Man Takes Mower To National Mall During Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) -- One man has taken it upon himself to mow and clean up the grounds around the Lincoln Memorial during the government shutdown.

Chris Cox tells WNEW Radio he felt obligated to help while National Park Service workers are furloughed. He says he's not motivated by politics but wanted to clean up the National Mall before a veterans march.

Cox, who lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C., came armed with a chain saw and lawnmower. He cleared away a large 12-inch-thick branch that fell on a path. He carried with him the state flag of South Carolina.

Cox says "these are our memorials. Do they think that we're just going to let them go to hell? No."

Park Police let Cox work at first but later asked him to move on.

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