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Athens, OH: Oct 31-Nov 1

Started by MeanStreaker, November 02, 2009, 03:16:39 PM

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MeanStreaker

The Athens magic is still going strong.  Guy always points out that, "When every Appleseed is like an Athens, Ohio Appleseed... this country will be a lot closer to where it needs to be."

The force is strong with this one.   :~

Cold, torrential rain pounded us Friday night.  Which made for several interesting wake-ups for yours truly.  Not from the wind pushing the tent around, but from Mrs. MeanStreaker wondering if a large tree limb would fall on "Camp Snuggly" and crush us.  





It was her first time sleeping in a tent.   ;D   We survived.   O0




The weekend began with some unfinished business from the Osage Beach Rifleman Boot Camp a few of us attended last week.  Julia has served as our on-staff medical personnel  at each of the Athens events.  She's become quite a marksman and toughed it out with us gruff guys in MO for ten days.  While there, she persisted through equipment issues and a grueling curriculum and earned her Rifleman patch.  However, since Red Hats are devious like this, they didn't tell her until Saturday morning at Athens, her home club, surrounded by friends and family.  Congrats Nurse Ratchett!  You're truly a Rifleman who knows very well what she is about!  I know that Orange Hat is in great hands.




The weather Saturday morning was dreadful and the cold rain continued to pound us.  Rather than have everyone be absolutely miserable and get burned out first thing, we safely set up a Dry Fire line under the clubhouse patio's roof pointed down range.  Initial lessons were given and Instructors worked with students to firm up positions and work on NPOA.  After a very short time, the rain let up a little and it was time to turn those clicks into bangs!

Instruction continued at the firing line and either these shooters were already great shots, or that bit of dry fire practice really paid dividends!   :~

As we were blessed with many Instructors, Guy and I ran the firing line and slim and Hooters Billy took some of our newest IITs and held a mini-IBC inside the Clubhouse.  This rotation really seemed to work well.





After a tremendous (!) dinner Saturday night provided by GeorgeT, Bill, Nurse Ratchett, D.O.M., and others... 18 Instructors and students piled into the back of Dinky Dao's pickup truck for a Halloween recon mission to the haunted.... Moonville.... Train.... Tunnel a few miles up the road.  

:-\     :'(





I always noticed in Ghostbusters that the boys never got their elbows under the proton pack.  Lacking their equipment as well as silver bullets, we left our rifles locked at camp.   I did grab a few extra XD45 mags though, just in case.  ^-^   <:)

It was a fun ride and a nice little hike to the tunnel.  Most important, we all made it back safely, despite seeing one of the most terrifying sights imaginable!     :o

No Rifleman knee would be able to keep from wobbling.  The girliest of screams would emanate from under every Red Hat if ever you were to see what I saw....









Women and children beware!  

And here I thought pitch dark could only help his looks.   **)







Back at the clubhouse we enjoyed each other's company until sleeping bags were filled, one by one.

Sunday morning came bright and early.  After an inspirational voluntary service and a delicious breakfast provided yet again by Bill and D.O.M (biscuits and gravy!!!)... it was time to make more Riflemen.  

And make more we did.  











I love seeing repeat Appleseeders that I've gotten to know and can truly call a friend receive that hard earned patch.





Almost as important, everyone on the line improved.  






This includes several energetic Junior Shooters!  Nothing like seeing six or seven young lads and lasses still sprinting down to the target line late on a Sunday afternoon after a long weekend.   O0  They did a great job during Ball & Dummy as well!





I think both Ishy and D.O.M discovered what they want for Christmas this year. :)








Slim's contribution of a Jeep full of pumpkins certainly added to all's enthusiasm!  Great job teams!  Missions accomplished!!!




All pumpkins within the sound of my voice have hereby been warned!




By far, the highlight of the weekend was experiencing DryFire do a great job at reacquainting us with our American Heritage and then both him and arpjoe earning their Red Hats.  Congratulations Gentlemen!  Both promotions are very well deserved!  Ohio is much better off having you help steer her back to this nation's Founding Principles.  










All in all,

Great Shoot.
Safe Shooters.
Can't wait for the next one.






"When every Appleseed is like an Athens Appleseed, this country will be a lot closer to where it needs to be."

Indeed.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
--Thomas Paine

Used to ride a Kawasaki Mean Streak motorcycle.  I'm not an angry, naked runner.  :)

DryFire

#1
You will have to excuse me if this post is a bit sappy but this weekend was one that I can never forget.  O0

Athens, the place I first put my dryfire practice to work, my first AQT, my first Rifleman's score, first time I met The Guy and Meanstreaker, the place where I received my orange hat, and now the place where I recevied my red hat.  O0 Athens Fish and Game will certianly hold a dear place in my heart and mind. This weekend I watched my wife work up to a score of 189 and then followed it up with a 181. I saw as an old friend, future family member, and former serviceman scored a 208 and he found the desire for more. My cousin a regular "Mother Bathrick" in stature enjoyed a weekend with family, and with her fiance laying on a cold wet ground shooting rifles and gaining the bruises to prove it. This weekend is beyond description. The fun we had, the fellowship with friends new and old. I see this program bringing American's back together to talk, and communicate, and it gives me hope.

Of all the things this weekend that stick in my mind isn't a hat, or even the shooting, but the kids. The young Americans on the line participating in a sport that there forefathers participated in. There were quite a few families in Athens this weekend. Afterall we know Appleseed is a family thing, and this weekend in those families were a number of young American's too young to shoot. These kids playing in a field by the club house, they are young and innocent, having fun by running about, releasing some of that youthfull and boundless energy. It makes me think, about them and about the future. They are not only the posterity of our founders but more importantly these kids, and all those that come after them are our posterity. What will we leave them, what will I leave them? Will they have to worry about iceburgs, what about their kids? It makes me wonder if I truly am doing all I can, what more can I do, what can I do to get others to do more? I know with Appleseed I am at least doing and it feels good, but there is a part of me that doesn't just want to do, I want to suceed, to win. I don't want to win for me though, no, it is for those kids and their kids. I have learned our history so that I may hope to never have a part in repeating it. Now what can I do so others may learn it. For the sacrafices that our forefathers made, and that their posterity has made in all the conflicts since, should never have to be repeated.

Those men on the green in Lexington, at the north bridge in Concord they did not want war, but they realized that at times Liberty must be fought for and that fighting was necessary to preserve it. These men didn't relish war, or hold it up as something to be admired. Instead they dreaded it, they knew what war ment in terms of death and destruction, yet they also knew that from time to time it was necessary to preserve Liberty. May we never reach that point, may we only be required to fight for Liberty with the pen and the voice and not the rifle. I am doing my part as are so many others in this program, I just wish I could make all see what we see, and know what we know. Until that day comes I will go forth teaching men and women to to know very well what they are about, and from where they have come. All of this in the hope that those children and their children will never know an iceburg for the climate is such that an iceburg can not form.

DryFire
"I believe there is great need for such a book, a book which will help to make us again what we were a century ago before commercialism and life in cities robbed our young men of most of their primitive virtues -- a Nation of Rifleman.
Maj. Townsend Whelen
The American Rifle

Hooters Billy

Athens and Magic are two words that you will almost always hear together in the same sentence. For those that haven't been there yet, sorry, but it is the only way for those who have come in from the outside to describe it. I sometimes call it a little slice of heaven on earth. Kinda like a "Sneak Peak" of what's to come.

I just can't explain how filled with joy I get when ever I get down there and get to see the most wonderful people in the world all in one spot. This time around, a few more instructors then normal where there, most all now good friends of mine. This made it even better. But.... the best part was all the new orange hats that have come off the firing line this past summer. It was great to see all of them still there, showing up, wanting to learn and help.

The rainy start and high number of instructors made it ideal for a mini IBC type weekend with the new orange hats. So I decided to help out Slim with some of the instruction and overview of our little patch of pumpkin heads going through and demonstrating steady hold factors, 6 steps, IMC, and a few other things. They did a very very good job and I think I can speak for Slim when I say we where both very proud of them.

Just a few comments on the wonderful weekend:

The over abundance of food almost made me feel like a glutton, almost! Thanks Bill, Nurse Ratchet, Richardson's, and others.

I was so happy to see that several of "My Girls" where already there when I pulled in through the gates at around 7pm Friday night.

A special recognition was given to Bill and George. Even though they both say it is more then just them, those two have done so much for all of us and the Appleseed program that there will never be a way to show them enough thanks or find a way to repay them in kind.

I had broke my safety/sun glasses the very last day of the RBC one week before and did not have time to run out and replace them before I headed out again toward Athens. Well... pretty much ALL of my girls noticed I didn't have my cool shades with me and did point it out. I have to say thanks twice: 1- For reminding me I broke them. It opened up the wound that was just starting to heal :'( :'(   2- For noticing how cool they where!  <:) <:) <:) <:) <:) <:) I'm going to try and fix them first, then replace them with new ones if it doesn't work out.

Sun morning had a small church service before breakfast. It has been half a lifetime since I have attended one. It was very cleansing emotionally, spiritually, and physically. No one knew(I think), but my eyes where filled with tears from start to finish. I had kept lowering the bill of my hat to hide it and the slow wiping of them.

Congratulations to the 2 new red hats. You're good instructors and are going to do great things.

Congratulations to the new orange hats. It's not a job, it's an adventure.

Junior(Butt-Stock), It's a job, not an adventure!

New Riflemen & Riflewoman, great job! I'm proud of you all.



Well time to go and check all my email that are all piled up. Hope to see YOU at the next Athens shoot O0



"There is no greater evil then willful ignorance," ~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Advice on life from Fred himself to me on 6-21-09:
"If you hope to be a good looking corps, you better hurry up and die soon!"

CQ CQ CQ de KC9MTP

MeanStreaker

As Hooters Billy said, many folks are involved in a lot of work to make Athens the special place that is.  Instructors can sure get spoiled!!!

None work harder than GeorgeT and Bill.  From cleaning the clubhouse days in advance, starting breakfast each morning at 5:30AM, setting the firing line, and everything in between, these two gentlemen continuously go above and beyond and truly personify what it means to be a Rifleman.

I was honored to recognize them and give a very small token of appreciation on behalf of the Instructor Corps.

After all, GeorgeT is just one man.  And because of that one man, Athens is now a shining jewel for The Appleseed Project that is leading the charge for Returning America to a Nation of Riflemen.



Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
--Thomas Paine

Used to ride a Kawasaki Mean Streak motorcycle.  I'm not an angry, naked runner.  :)

Ishy

I apologize to everyone that I did not take any pictures!!!   :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(  I snapped a few on Dinky's camera though.

Yes, another magical AS in Athens.  RWVA's greatest instructors (in my mind!) all in one place.  The only thing that could have been better is the WEATHER!  I guess I'm just a sissy....   ::)

The mini IBC indoors was PERFECT!  Inside, out of the cold, sitting in a nice chair, drinking a frappuccino (thanks, Slim!  O0), learning how to present points of instruction...all under my favorite red hats.   ;)  Well, three of them.   <:)  The instruction was very helpful for my sibs and me, and I'm sure for the others too. 

The pumpkin shoot was so much fun!  We demolished those things!    >:D  It gave a whole new meaning to "pumpkin on a post...."   **)

Yeah, Billy, you have GOT to replace those shades...or get them repaired IMMEDIATELY!    <:) <:) <:)  Thanks again so much for driving all the way out here to be with us.   O0  It means a lot!

Mrs. James' and Mr. Robe's Sunday morning presentations were wonderful and challenging as usual.  Thank you for keeping us focused on what really matters....

I am sad there won't be any more Athens shoots this year.   :'(  But I must say it's getting way too cold.    :)) ::)  What am I going to do during the IBC in February???   ++) 

Congrats new Riflemen, orange hats, and red hats.  Huzzah!!!   :~

Thank you, Athens Fish & Game, for freely letting us use your amazing range and for feeding us.  Thank you, GeorgeT and RimFire (Bill) for all your hard work.  You are truly appreciated!!!   ;)

I am very blessed to be able to participate in such an event.  Just five months ago I was standing on the line on my one leg--with Billy standing behind me in case I did that hot brass boogie--plopping down into those positions.  Receiving that patch was so encouraging.  As an amputee I am not disabled...just physically challenged.  It was so rewarding this weekend to lie down beside a couple young shooters giving them the same tips I received at my first Appleseed.  "Don't drag wood!  Relaaaaaaax!!!"   ;)  Being an IIT is such a rewarding privilege.    I'm so happy to be a part of saving the country. 

Those of you who haven't been to an Athens shoot...you don't know what you're missing!   ^-^

Ishy
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  ~2 Chronicles 7:14

"The proof of desire is pursuit."  ~Kirk DeVinney

sixgunsal

  Thank You to everyone,
                                          I would like to start out by apologizing for my bad language on Saturday, got some bad personal news the night before and should not have shared my misery/disappointment with everyone.  Now for the fun stuff !!  I think the thing that touched me the most about this Appleseed were the children and there enthusiasm for the history and shooting. It reminds me of my first 22, then my first shotgun. Definite thanks to all the instructors and IITs for the excellent instruction and encouragement. I will be joining the Athens club both Bill and George are great fellows and Rocky has enjoyed shooting with them. To top it all off. I shot a Riflemen score on Sunday , by the seat of my pants!!
This is something I will never forget !!  Come spring I would be interested in being an IIT.

                                                                                                                                                    Thank You,
                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                         Gene Salvino ( Sixgunsal )

Starbuck

My hubby MeanStreaker had talked about the magic of Athens and I was fortunate enough to get a taste of some of that this weekend.  I don't always feel like I fit in with the Appleseed world and am not quite sure where I belong. I don't have that burning desire to be an instructor and my teensy tiny attention span sometimes makes two full days of shooting a challenge for me. Top that off with our two crazy dogs at home that need cared for (one of which sometimes eats things that aren't food when her man leaves for Appleseeds), and there is the tendency to feel a little left out of the Appleseed loop.  That really changed for me in Athens.  I never really paid much attention to the word "fellowship" before.  Never really used it in conversation, never really thought about it much, never really appreciated its significance before. That's really what Athens was for me.  The people there are just SO AWESOME! Everyone made me feel so at home and so a part of everything that was going on.  So a part of something. Of that fellowship. Call me crazy, but I could easily skip all the shooting just to spend time with the people (don't get me wrong though, I still want to get over my 191 hump and make Rifle"woman"). The instructors that I have met, some of which only a few times are trusted friends.  I have only met the Richardson family three times now, twice in Athens and once in Miamisburg, but the impact this one family can have on one's life is just astounding.  I would love to have six kids too if they all turned out like the Richardson kids! Each member of that family has their own special place in making Athens the shining star of Appleseed and giving hope for what our country can be. They epitomize the family value and spirit of giving that our country is sorely lacking.  So thanks for that.  This weekend meant a lot for me and even for my relationship with my husband.  I think it will be a little easier to let him leave for weekends now.  While it's never easy to be apart from someone you love, I am so thankful he will have that second family when he is gone on the Appleseed trail.  

Thanks to the DryFire family as well.  From my very first time at Athens him and his wife took me in and were just so darn nice to me.  MeanStreaker was instructing at my first Appleseed in Athens and so I thought I would be alone on that firing line.  I wasn't.  Not for one minute.  Interestingly enough I have only shot at two Appleseed's and both were in Athens.  I think maybe there is a reason for that.  

So, its getting late and while some of you really like to see all the pictures of the fun shooting, my contribution is the pictures of all the people I have met.  There are more, but hubby has only downloaded a handful so far and I still have some sleep to catch up on so they will have to wait for another day.

Oh, and Luna, I just love your dog.  Maybe if I can get a tranquilizer gun I can Appleseed with my pooches as well.  Until then, I will just enjoy petting yours.  

Okay, I am done.  Enjoy some pics.
















Starbuck

MeanStreaker did the labor and downloaded and re-sized some more pics for me so here ya go.  I take full credit for snapping them all though!














Luna

What a special place, Athens.  It was awesome to see George and Billy reconized for all thier efforts.  Through thier hard work people have had their lives impacted forever.  Thank you guys, you have affected my life in a very positive way.

This program has taught me so much more than just shooting.  I see passion and emotion from shooters and instructors alike.  I was blessed to be there to see Dryfire and JoeArp get their red hats.  I know I wasn't the only one who felt the passion, weight and emotion of that moment.   Congrats guys.

The Dangerous Ole Family and all their friends provide proof that we have many young Americans ready to spread the voice of freedom and liberty throughout this country.  I am inspired each time I have an opportunity to talk with these passionate, young Americans.  God bless America.

Congratulations to all the new Rifleman.  You achievement is well earned.  Help spread the passion you felt by encouraging others to participate in the Appleseed program.  You saw the impact one man (women) can have on history.  You saw the impact this program had on you.  You felt the emotion of your acheivement and the acheivement of others.  Share that experience with others and help spread the word.

Thank you Guy, Meanstreaker and Slim for the impact you have had on my experience with Appleseed.  See you all again soon on the trail.
 

Doc

Hello everybody, incase you don't know who i am, i am dryfire's friend Mark. I am proud to have been a part of this past weekend. I will be honest i was very hesitant about coming but not only did i enjoy myself I want to continue to be a part of this wonderful group. I learned alot more than i thought which was alot more in depth and helpful than what i learned in the Army. Thank you to Slim for allowing me to use his rifle and Guy for pushing me a lil harder to correct my mistakes. I already plan on bring my father and my uncle in the spring.

OH and 208 to me is no better than 108...i strive for Rifleman and will not be happy till i do!!  !@#)

But aside from getting better and more experienced in marksmanship and not so much about combat shooting, learning the history of the birth of our nation and learning about those who made the choice that 9 years ago i decided to make myself in joining the Army and defending our nation and our liberties and freedom just deepened my patriotism. I love my country and i'm proud to have served and to have been a part of something that our ancestors strived so hard for is amazing!

I do want to say that now i KNOW that after serving, training hard, sweating in the hot sun of Iraq, risking my life, and fighting our enemies i did for people like all of you. You all are what make this country so great! Thank you again for a wonderful weekend and i hope to see you all again soon.

MeanStreaker

Mark, it was a pleasure having you and Jill at Athens.  Hopefully I'll see you this Sunday in Miamisburg and we can hand you that patch!
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
--Thomas Paine

Used to ride a Kawasaki Mean Streak motorcycle.  I'm not an angry, naked runner.  :)

dond

I wish I could have been at this fantastic Appleseed. And I take a great pleasure in seeing arpjoe and DryFire get their well deserved Red Hats. I've got to get back to Athens next year.
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add "within the limits of the law" because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.  Thomas Jefferson

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.  H. L. Mencken

arpjoe

What a great Appleseed Shoot weekend at Athens Fish & Game Club!!!  Congrats to the five shooters who qualified as Riflemen.  George and Bill from Athens Fish & Game hosted this shoot and spoiled the instructors.  Thank you to the Athens Fish & Game Club members for letting us have Appleseed Shoots at your fine facility.  It was great to share fellowship with old and new instructor friends.

Athens was my first Appleseed at the first Appleseed in Ohio on Memorial Day weekend 2008.  dond was Shoot Boss and Dinky was there as one of the instructors.  It was nice to be promoted to Red Hat at Athens and presented my hat by Dinky.  Lots has happened on the Appleseed Trail since that 2008 Memorial Day weekend at Athens Fish & Game Club and I am proud to be an instructor for Project Appleseed.
Starve the collective (Ref: Starving the Monkeys, Tom Baugh) and
restore the Constitution.

He is a fool who knows not that swords were given to men, that none might be slave, but such as know not how to use them..
Algernon Sidney
Discourses Concerning Government
Ch. 2, sect. 4, p.343

The Guy

Whenever I need to get closer to God, and I can't make church, I get to an Athens Appleseed.  Seriously.

So many wonderful things hapen there.

On Sat am we had rain.  Cold, 35 degree rain.  And wind.  3 broken pop-up shelters.  Only one was fixable.  Cardboard wasn't holding up, and the targets were melting.

So we set up a dry(er) dryfire line, and instructed the prone position, 6 steps and NOPA (laZer pointers ROCK!), then did mass dry fire exercises. Onto lil' pumpkins with even smaller back squares Sharpied on.  I wasn't too sure how it would work, but when the day was over, starting at 1330 or so (actually shooting), we ended up loosing no ground, even having time for a QDAQT at day's end, and afterwards, a NEW Appleseeder surpassed the coveted 210.  Gotta LOVE them farmers!!

While the highlight of the shoot, as always, was seeing folks EARN their Rifleman badges, the pumpking shoot was a BLAST.

Our pumpkins disinigrated quickly (WY Not and I were both using soft points, 5.56 and 7.62 respectively.  We also had Joe Arp and Brickhouse (Spanner's wife) helping out as well, so us winning the shoot prolly didn' count....LOL!  WY Not and I also could be seen providing pumpkin exploding cover fire for those less fortunate who were popping away with .22s.

Not a pumpkin escaped the massed volleys being delivered by the line.  Amazing what massed .22 fire can do to a big one, let alone the smaller ones.

The weekend ended with pizza, and a LONG drive home.

And did it ever feel right.

Thanks esspecially to George T and Bill. George helped to land Appleseed in Athens, and because of that he gets credit for every Rifleman to set foot through there.  Bill, as always, was up early and stayed late to ensure that the Instructors needs (such as breakfast) were met.  Athens Fish and Game as a whole needs to be thanked profusely for the hospitality and care they provide with every shoot.  From behind the scenes to the highly visible Gorge and Bill, they have provided us a home like no other.  THANK YOU!!

I can't wait till next year.  The months stretch long in anticipation.

Keep the Faith,

Guy

BTW, I can never say enough about this shoot, and most importantly, the people!

RedNekEngr

What a joy it is to spend a glorious weekend with my Appleseed brothers and sisters.  Isn't it amazing how committed Americans sharing a vision become a family in a blink of an eye.  I look so forward to AS weekends.  It's like going to a family reunion, only your excited to see EVERYONE there  ;) and you are disappointed it has to end on Sunday. :(  I haven't been to an RBC, but I certainly can see why everyone raves about spending a week with their comrades.

I can't imagine a better state instructor team to be associated with than ours here in Ohio. Dinky, Meanstreaker, and Slim always inspire and challenge me.  It's always a pleasure to have The Guy join us with his insights and enthusiasm.  Thanks to Hooters Billy for sacrificing the time to drive over and spend time with "his girls".  %) 

I know many others have acknowledged GeorgeT's and Bill's (Rimfire) efforts, but I just have to chime in too.  I am so privileged to not only be able to share in the AS project with them, but to also be a part of the Athens Fish & Game Club as a member with them.  These men REALLY spend a lot of time and resources to make sure AS is a reality here.  Words and gestures of appreciation can't begin to recognize the effort they put into this program.  You can see the exhaustion in their faces by the end of the weekend.  They truly love their "neighbors" as the Good Book commands.

It was certainly awesome to have Starbuck and Angie with us this weekend.  You are truly wonderful ladies that your husbands are rightly proud of.  We hope to see more of you on the trail.  My entire family enjoyed the time spent with you.

Congrats to BobS, Josiah, Gene, Christina, and Amy on making riflemen.  (Side note: 4 of the 5 are invites from the DOF O0)

I got sappy when my good friends Nurse Ratchet, RobD and Goldfish took the orange hats.  It was awesome to see a dedicated, honorable, and good man like Dryfire earn his Red Hat.  Congrats to ArpJoe too.

It wouldn't be right not to mention my good buddy Wildcat.  Afterall, he's the one to get the DOF hooked on this crazy concept of spending an entire weekend with all these nut job patriots that love their country more than themselves.  If my calculations are right and you follow the tree of riflemen and instructors that have directly or indirectly resulted from his involvement in AS including himself, there are 19 riflemen and 11 orange hats (including 3 in KY) thus far.  Several are knocking on the door.  Now that is a man that knows well what he is about.  This has all happened since April. 

Well sadly, I probably won't be Appleseeding until the Athens IBC in February.  I'll sure miss my AS family.

RNE

















"If we did all the things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas Edison
"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."- Ronald Reagan

Wildcat

I'll second everyone else's comments - it was a great weekend!  I enjoy doing just about anything with RedNekEngr and his family, but when you throw in the rest of the people on the line and instructing it just doesn't get much better.  Unless of course you add American history and patriotism, then it definitely doesn't get much better.  Unless maybe you add in firearms - always a good thing   ;D  Then it absolutely doesn't get any better. Unless you count the church service and the fellowship between so many of the old-timers (hmmm, old-timers after only a few months, think there could be a common bond between Appleseeders??) and the not-so-old-timers.  Then, I guess it's just plain better  ;)

Thanks to all the red hat instructors who took their time to come out - The Guy, Dinky, Meanstreaker, Slim, Luna, Billy - your time and instruction is most appreciated!!!  Thanks also to the Athens Fish & Game Club for their support.  These weekends get harder and harder to leave.  It's just too much fun spending time with people who love five of the most important things in my life - #1 God, #2 Family, #3 Country, #4 Firearms, and #5 Food - wow the people in Athens (and my lovely wife too!) can sure cook O0

Looking forward to February!!!!  God bless!
Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jm 1:19 ...beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

HippieChick

Nurse Ratchett's daughter, Bekka (or Kesiah's mom), here. As a member of Athens Fish and Game, I want to say thank you to all the Appleseeder's that come down and make the shoots so great. I've only been able to shoot one, but have come out to all of them since last May...and I have Slim and his insisting to thank for that(and for my lovely RWVA Nurse hat)! :P I plan to shoot at the next AS and cannot wait! It's also so nice to know that Kesiah will be in good hands if I bring her with me--Shout outs to Teresa, Becky and Ishy! I sat in on the mini-IBC this past weekend and watched the kids teach each other NPOA, they did an awesome job--watching them actually inspired my husband's communion meditation for church on Sunday (If you close your eyes, RELAAAAAX, breathe in, breathe out and open your eyes; where are you pointed? At the cross??? If not, you need to readjust!!) So, I'm looking forward to April, seeing all of you again and *TRYING* to get that patch!

MeanStreaker

Quote from: Frogger on November 05, 2009, 07:09:31 PM
... seeing all of you again and *TRYING* to get that patch!

Do or Do Not.

There is no Try.




:)
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
--Thomas Paine

Used to ride a Kawasaki Mean Streak motorcycle.  I'm not an angry, naked runner.  :)

Ishy

Quote from: Frogger on November 05, 2009, 07:09:31 PM
I plan to shoot at the next AS and cannot wait! It's also so nice to know that Kesiah will be in good hands if I bring her with me--Shout outs to Teresa, Becky and Ishy!

Oooooh, babysitting duty?  I'm in!!!   O0  Kesiah is ADORABLE.   @)
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  ~2 Chronicles 7:14

"The proof of desire is pursuit."  ~Kirk DeVinney

Panama

I think I will be able to make this one. I think work will slow down by then.
NRA certified Instructor
US Army Veteran

Boba Fett

Gee Wiz Mike (MeanStreaker)!!!  AAR's like this one make a guy want to pack up the family and move to Ohio. :D But then again... it doesn't take much to make someone want to leave the land of Illinoi(Sucks).  **)

Seriously... It sounds like there might actually be some place slightly better than an RBC. I can't wait to come see you guys (and gals Nurse Ratchet) in Athens next year. BTW Nurse Ratchet, I did keep your (Rifleman) secret. ^-^ You'll never know what you phone call on Sunday night meant to me. All the time away from my family. All the money spent. All the sacrifices made for Appleseed. EVERYTHING takes on new meaning when you get hear that you made a difference in someones life. I was on cloud nine the whole drive back to IL. Not just because of the week spent with everyone at the RBC, but because of you earning that Rifleman's patch (and you really earned it, bruises and all  ;)) and the chance I got to "pass on" what I had been given. That's what Appleseed's all about and that's what makes Appleseed so special to me. It certainly sounds like Athens, OH is one of those great places to do just that: PASS IT ON BABY !!!!!  O0 ;D O0

Congrats everyone! I look forward to meeting you all someday on the trail (In Athens). O0

BF

MeanStreaker

You're welcome in Ohio anytime, Boba.  We'd be lucky to have you.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
--Thomas Paine

Used to ride a Kawasaki Mean Streak motorcycle.  I'm not an angry, naked runner.  :)

The_VIKING

WOW!!  Nice write-up!!  Looks & sounds like y'all had a blast!   O0 Sounds like a roadtrip needed for this noob in TX! 
I just got back from my 1st Appleseed in College Station & looking fwd to getting that Rifleman's Patch @ my next event!
"Remember one thing, your government needs you more than you need your government."
USAF '87-'93 Ground Rat
Remover of the Berlin Wall