AAR Myakka City, FL Mar 31-Apr 1, 2012

[oldfudd]

Just want to open this thread on Saturday night.  We had great weather today in the mid to low 80's with a pretty stiff wind coming from behind us -- no problems, but the wind had the entire target line dancing the conga.  After our second QDAQT a quick but violent thunderstorm cooled the temperatures about 20 degrees and gave us a short but torrential "cold" shower.  No riflemen today, but hopefully tomorrow will change that.

Great bunch of shooters, with a lot of dads and daughters, and dads and sons.  Everybody seemed to enjoy the 3 Strikes with great appreciation.  Numerous very positive comments about the value of the marksmanship instruction from some experienced shooters.

We're all looking forward to tomorrow.  Will be back later with more details of this great Appleseed weekend.

Dick

[paco]

This was our first Appleseed event and I'd like to be first to thank Dick, John, Anna, and Seth for their hard work in making this a great experience for my son and me. We both improved tremendously. No rifleman but did shoot a 192 so getting closer. Nathanael shot an 86 -- real good for a new shooter.

Mark and Nathanael

[Johnnyappleseed]

Hi Dick,
Nice to see you furthering the cause of liberty 
Florida rocks ! and even more so with you doing an Appleseed there 

[colycat]

Paco,(Mark),

192 is whats called knocking on the door.  You are almost there, but the hardest part is yet to come.

Persistence,  a Rifleman persist in ever endeavor they take on, and shooting expert is the easiest of a Rifleman's task.

We have a country to save and preserve.  That's the hard part of being a Rifleman.

Thank you for being part of our family of Rifleman

[TomM1Thumb]

Thank You fellow Instructors, for Stepping Up and Teaching this Venue, As a result the Florida Instructors Who normally run this event, Got a chance to learn much about the Correct way to Teach an Appleseed Event, and enjoy the Company of Our far flung Brothers and Sisters of the Blue, Orange Red, and Green Hats. It made for a Fine Weekend! Again Thank You All. God Bless!

Tom

[airplanejoe]

I echo the remarks posted by TomM1Thumb. I, along with 16 other riflemen, was one of the attendees to the Palatka, FL IBC. The quality of events in Florida should now go through the roof!! Thanks again!!

Airplanejoe

[pikid89]

I too want to give a shout out to the crew that ran Myakka this weekend.  You guys stepping up and covering this event allowed the me and the rest of the Florida crew to get to the IBC.  We can't thank you enough.


Tyler

[Sly223]

OL'Fudd,Thank you so very much Sir,
For answering the call to duty,
You are like a fine wine,your value to this program,
aside from affording all of us this incredible opportunity to improve our core,is immeasurable,Clutch play.
I look forward to our paths crossing on the trail yet again!
Also, to the Backbone and the Glue,that performed the duties,
Seth, John, Anna,I do not know you personally yet; :slap:Unless; :shootself:If you are of The 9 happy kidz clan, your Sacrifice afforded us all an opportunity for improvement measured only in leaps and bounds,
not only individual but positive impact to the program and abroad.
I also since becoming a Rifleman, like to repay the debts and sacrifices others have made for me in the program even if forwarded,So ,Dick and Crew if there is anything I can do for you,contact me we can find a way and a solution.

[douglas34474]

+1 with the Thank You to OL'Fudd, Seth, John and Anna for helping out so we could attend the IBC. 

We had a great weekend and it was all because  of your help. 

Thank You again,

Douglas

[DeadEyeRed]

  Great Job Ol Fudd !! Thank you for stepping up to support our Lady Liberty. we appreciate your help. The Florida crew got a chance to become stronger teachers because of YOU. Know that you are appreciated !!!! I can only hope to one day return the help. I saw no rifleman, but I know there was much improvement. and above all else... OUR stories  are now among the minds and hearts of all who attended at both events.

[oldfudd]

Thanks for all the above kind comments.  It took the combined efforts of fellow Georgians John, his daughter Anna, son Seth, and even his youngest daughter Leah (Blue Hat) to make the event successful.  Thanks so very much guys.

Sunday was a fantastic day.  All the shooters from Saturday who were scheduled for Sunday showed up sore but outrageously enthusiastic.  I even had the opportunity to see some friends from a prior Myakka City AS show up to fill out the firing line.  Although we certainly worked the AQTs hard, we were only successful in a number of our shooters being able to knock at the door.  It certainly wasn't for lack of trying, however.  It seems that it just wasn't in the cards for any Rifleman's scores.  Even though they all had the 6 Steps, Steady Hold Factors and NPOA points down cold, it just didn't happen. However at the end of the day I was assured numerous times that it WOULD happen at the next Appleseed.

It was really gratifying for me to see the enthusiasm and interest all our shooters had for the history, and to learn what our forefathers had done to give us our Liberty.  We had the 3 Strikes on Saturday, and on Sunday John gave a great presentation on the Philosophy of Liberty.  Even Anna had a enchanting story of the bravery of one of our Dangerous (young) Women of the Revolutionary War.  At the end on Sunday we also heard additional stories of other dangerous old men and women.

I believe at the end of this Appleseed we had all become good friends who shared common interests in our Country.  We were all dog tired but still hated to see the end of the weekend arrive.  I look forward to seeing my new and old friends again at a future Appleseed.

Dick

[franklinfarmer]

It was a pleasure to meet and work with all you shooters in Myakka City.  Keep up the good work, and remember that a rifleman leaves things better than he found them.  Your means for doing that might be instructing with the Appleseed Program or something else, but you need to find a way to leave a better situation for the next generation.

Think hard and practice.
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oldfudd,

As always, it was a pleasure to work with you.

ff

[panhead]

howdy

"Thanks" sounds so weak when trying to express gratitude for the great service you have done for our state and region. I appreciate all you did for us and the large inconvenience you put up with to further the cause. Especially the understanding and support of your families. I am humbled. I am in your debt.

pan

[jazcat]

This was my first Appleseed and I am so happy I attended. Thanks to oldfudd, Franklin Farmer, Anna, Seth and Leah for amazing instruction, fascinating history and keeping us focused on why we were there. I learned so much, both about history and also about shooting.

The best part, when I got home my sister asked me where I had gone. When I told her she said she would love to attend with a couple of her kids the next time we go. This is great and we are trying to work out a good weekend since she lives down in South Florida. Also trying to figure out who we can borrow a couple 22 LRs from for the course for them. But we will make it one way or another.

Thanks again and I am certain I will see you all at another shoot soon.

[Sly223]

Jazcat,
Awsome Avitar,glad you enjoyed your first AS event, Ol'fudd is a great man all around and a solid mentor for me as well as multitudes of others since he constantly travels the country saving the bacon of this proram in the out lying fledgling, venues. Has a level of professionalism that is so infectious as to sooth the nerves of the greenest of iit's,and shooters.
BTW about securing a rifle for the next event, if you can great if not,Most instructors bring what they have to loan,99.9% chance I will be there if you come back to either of the Myakka venues and I will have at least three loaner rifles.
See ya on the trail remember your dry fire practice even if only with the trigger training devise.

[oldfudd]

Jacki -- what Sly223 says about loaner rifles is true,  but if your sister brings her kids and wants to be assured of having loaner 22s available, I suggest that she (you) contact in advance the shoot boss or one of the red hats who have signed up for the event and tell them of her need.  This way the instructors will go out of their way to make sure the equipment is ready and waiting.

If you're not certain who to contact, I suggest you contact either Phenry or Sly223.  If they're not going to be at the event, they will know who to contact.

Your comments are greatly appreciated, since you and Charley obviously already had a lot of good knowledge and marksmanship experience when you arrived on Saturday.

I hope we meet again on the Appleseed "trail" where it wouldn't surprise me at all to see you wearing a "hat".

Dick

[jazcat]

Sly223, yeah, I love my avatar too. Yes, that is me. Yes, that is a wild Mama Cheetah (we are in Tanzania). And no, there isn't any glass in the hatch of the Land Rover. An amazing experience.

oldfudd, that is great news about the loaner 22s. As soon as we pick a date I will be sure to contact the shoot boss to see what can be worked out.

[Sly223]

There are nine events at Myakka between the MGAR and RCR ranges.
I will be there for all of them and will bring loaners and have instructed the other instructors to do the same!
Let equiptment, not be an excuse, or a reason not to attend.

[paulwoods]

Hey oldfudd,  I had a great time Sat and Sun.  I learned a great deal from you, John, Anna and Seth.  I want to especially thank you for the loan of your Remington and special help.  Sorry I had to leave early.  Did you happen to find a gold Cross pen on the prep table?  I seem to have misplaced mine.

[oldfudd]

Paul -- I haven't found a gold Cross pen, but I still haven't cleaned out all my "stuff" boxes from the shoot.  If I find it I'll either call (I've got your card) or PM (Personal Message) you for your address and send it back.  If anybody finds it, please contact Paul directly to get it back to him.

As I said above, at this particular shoot I felt an affinity with all the shooters that was exceptional.  It seemed to be more friendship rather than just an instructor/shooter connection.  Hope you'll continue Appleseeds.  If you decide to buy a 22, and have any questions that I might be able to help you out on, feel free to contact me via PM (oldfudd).

Hope to see you again "on the trail".  Take care.

Dick