AAR Kaysville UT 17-18 MAY 2013 Wasatch Shooter's Range

[lbsnake925]

With every Appleseed Project event, Utah becomes a better and better
place to live.

The Friday and Saturday shoot was incredible, not just because we had
60% of the participants shoot a Rifleman score, but the weather added a
memorable touch that those who attended will not forget. The group
consisted of a number or repeat Appleseed diehards returning to earn the
Rifleman patch or share the experience with a friend or family member.
As usual several families were represented.  Lynn B. and his son Jacob
B. Bill R. brought his daughter and several family friends. Rich H.
brought his son Chris H. because he can't get enough and Mike R. (RM)
brought his son to the range to pass on the legacy. New Appleseed
Project participants included Elliot C., Chris H., Brian M., Eric O.,
Kim R., Bill R., Eric R., Tyler R., Jory M., Tom R., and Eric J.

Day one, we had 13 participants on the line. The weather forecast was
showing 40% chance of rain on both days with a decreasing chance of rain
as Saturday wore on. The weather was overcast and blustery and the
temperature ranged from 65 to 50 degrees but was generally pleasant.
Instructors Buzz, Taildragger, MorrisNK, lbsnake925, and Rifleman2000
took the participants through the paces.  The shooters were focused and
demonstrated uncanny ability. As instructors we would like to take
credit, but we can't and won't. There were a number of "talented"
shooters on the line as well as a number of shooters that were
bull-doggedly pursuing the title of "Rifleman". By the end of the day we
had 1 RM, Elliot C, and a number of others threatening to take the patch
with intentions to go home and square away their rifles and gear.

Day two was a bear. It does not rain in Utah very often for sustained
periods of time. Saturday morning was a down pour. 14 participants were
on the line. Everyone the day before, plus one.  The first people on the
line took up position under the awning. Rich and Chris H. were the last
ones to report.  We couldn't get any more under cover and watched Rich
and Chris thinking if were me, I would pack it up and go home. But no!,
they plopped their mats down in the rain and took up a position on the
line. Inspiring. A couple of other future Riflemen move to erect some
overhead cover from the rain. The shelter was unconventional but the
safety rules were never jeopardized. The overhead cover became more
necessary as the morning wore on. The downpour became heavier and
heavier until drainage ditches had to be dug around Rich and Chris to
divert the run off! Mud, wet, and cold were our companions as the
project pressed forward. Fortunately, and typical of Utah, the weather
improved dramatically after lunch.  Following a review of the basics,
the AQT grind began and as the day wore on it was obvious something
special was about to occur. AQT after AQT nearly every shooter closed in
on the magic 210. Mike R., a return RM, repeatedly delivered expert
scores like a mailman.  Then it happened at about 3 p.m. the excitement
was palpable as the group returned from the target line with their AQT's
in hand. Guarded smiles on the faces belied the truth.  Then one after
another ... 214, 211, 218, 237, 210, 211, 225.

High fives, big smiles, and handshakes were in order.  In Utah only one
other shoot has produced more RMs in one event. The 4 day April 2013
Camp Williams UT Milseed saw 30 or so senior Sergeants earn 12 Rifleman
Patches!  Our Kaysville event produced 8 out of 14, with 3 or four more
shooters two or three bullets from making Expert.  Closing time ended
the pursuit of those who were so close and we encourage our Appleseed
friends to persist and come back another time.  Our youth shooters Jacob
B. (RM), Tyler R. (RM), Kim R., Wyatt B., and Jory M. were awesome. Not
one groan or moan or complaint was heard, they endured the weather and
grind demonstrating a determination and commitment that brings hope to
the hearts of all the old timers present.

Of course, the more important goal was achieved as well. The legacy of
the founders was shared by the instructors and the hearts of the
everyone felt the spirit of the American Revolution, the principles of
individual liberty, burn brighter.  Some very important community
contacts were strengthened and a new range in Mantua will be the site of
the next Northern UT Appleseed Project shoot in July 2013.

We added one IIT, Bill R. who will make a great contribution to our
North Utah efforts. Wyatt B. took a Blue Hat and will be helping at
Northern UT shoots until he can shoot Expert (2 bullets, just 2
bullets!).  lbsnake925 passed SBIT3 and was given a SB hat by Buzz. 

Utah is awesome, let's make it better and better. Get someone new to the
next Appleseed Project event!

Thanks to those participated, thanks to the instructors who sacrifice
time they will never get back.

Your humble servant in liberty, lbsnake925

PICS in Dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/home/Kaysville%205-17-2013

[morrisnk]

Try this link for the pictures:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mkqgc876m5xfhtl/YZanaIXP05

[Tornado]

Congratulations on a great event and to lbsnake925 on making shoot boss! Great things happening in Utah.

-Tornado