WV Inaugural Appleseed: Stinson DAR, March 21-22, 2009

[The Machine]

On the morning of March 21st, as 11 individuals assembled around the frost-covered firing line, while anxiously awaiting the sun to break over the hilltop; West Virginia's very first Appleseed was officially under way...

On what was once a working farm that produced an abundance of organic products, a new crop of sorts will be produced--Riflemen--as Liberty reasserts herself in the foothills of Appalachia. A steady supply of men and women who "know what they are about" will be flowing from these hills once again.

Friday afternoon brought the arrival of George T, followed later in the day by VAShooter, and finally Slim pulling up the rear. GT was of tremendous help in lending a last minute hand in debris removal, along with marking the firing line, and cutting cardboard backers at the range.

VAShooter gave us a peek at some loaner rifles he brought, a run-down of the itinerary for the next day, swapped some stories, and then slipped off to the hotel. GT stuck around and ate with us, installed some swivel mounts, said hello/goodbye to Slim, and headed off for his warm hotel room. My brother-in-law and I helped Slim get his tent (igloo  ) put up in the dark. I tried to entice him to sleep in the warm house, but he wouldn't have any of that, a test of the "modular sleep system" took precedence--it was 24 F that night.

Sat. morning, after scraping a good layer of frost from the windshield, I started to escort/shuttle folks to the range and 4 X 4 parking area. I was also curious how Slim and his "sleeping system" fared through the frigid night--they apparently made it. [Take note Fred] Slim said he's ready to do any Appleseed...anywhere...any climate. 

The WV RWVA contingent was represented by myself, SuzyQ, and Maryetta. Three participants were from WV: John, Rob, and Tom. Stratoghost and another fella (who's name escapes me, sorry) were from OH.

While everyone was milling around wrapped in winter clothing and sipping hot beverages, VAShooter gave the safety talk and discussed the origins of Appleseed, along with history through the "2nd strike". The group broke at that point and lined-up for some Redcoat shooting.

Shooting progressed with the 1'' square drills, accompanied with Slim's fantastic demos of sling usage and firing positions. AQT's were used to round things out. George T's watchful eye and personable corrections kept things running smoothly throughout the day.

VAShooter added nuggets of knowledge from his experience as an accomplished Navy Marksman and competitive shooter. Overall, they brought the complete "package", and if you couldn't learn from these guys...well, it was no fault but your own. I would venture to say that everyone learned more than expected.

As the day moved on, clothes moved off, and everyone was down to flannels and sweatshirts by afternoon. It turned out to be a gorgeous, sunny day.

When fatigue started to show on the faces and target groups of the shooters, a break was called by Shooter and the "3rd strike" was given, along with some inspiring stories of high-level competition shooters. Everyone was told about the importance that visualization, and dry firing at home, played in the careers of an Olympic marksman and an air pistol Champion. If it works for them, then folks would be well served to translate these techniques into their own practice regimen.

No Riflemen by days end, but 2 or 3 were knocking on the door, and I had a hunch that there would be a patch handed out before the weekend was over.

Slim had 2 camping neighbors that night, and we had a lively talk around the campfire. It wasn't as cold Sat. night--around 28--but nonetheless, there was a hard frost come Sun. morning.

Weather wise, Sunday morning was a repeat of Sat., with the exception that the afternoon was much sunnier and warmer--tee shirt weather. Everyone was echoing how perfect the weather was for an Appleseed.

Only 4 shooters stayed for Sun., but it allowed for one-on-one instruction and a very rewarding experience. Groups improved from Sat., and that hunch I had, manifested itself in WV's first Rifleman patch; presented to a Mountaineer! Congratulations once again, Rob! Stratoghost, you rock too with that 209! I know you'll do nothing but get better.

The shooting was finally over; the vehicles were loaded; goodbyes exchanged; and everyone slowly parted ways down the road...

I believe Appleseeder's are some of the best folks out there, and I am very confident that our "extended family" IS the best hope to save this country.

I will close by saying...None of this could have become a reality without the help of those "behind the scenes" volunteers, along with the first crew of RWVA instructors to ever "set up shop" in WV. On behalf of the entire WV Appleseed team, a big THANK YOU! goes out to all. 

I will be adding some pics when I can get to it. Hopefully in a day or two.

[VAshooter]

Everyone learns new things at an Appleseed. I don't think I have ever attended an Appleseed where I didn't learn something.

I attended an Appleseed in Calhoun County West Virginia near the village of Stinson last weekend and I learned a lot of stuff. I now know where I need to go to pick raspberries this summer. I know were I can find more black walnuts than I can carry. I've meet some new people who are now friends and some really big dogs that are friends too.

I don't need to say much about the Appleseed itself as "The Machine" covered that very well. I will tell you about something else I learned while I was there. I have learned when and where the first battle of the American Revolution took place.

On October 10, 1774 a total of 1100 Virginia militiamen defeated Indian forces led by the Shawnee Chief Cornstalk. The battle prevented an alliance with the British which could have altered the outcome of the American Revolution. This battle took place at Point Pleasant, Virginia which later became part of West Virginia. For years this battle was little remembered but in 1908 the US Congress recognised the Battle of Point Pleasant as a significant battle of the Revolutionary War. 

This event is celebrated by the "Battle Days" Festival. A re-enactment, parades, encampment and general good time which is held the first weekend in October. I think a Battle Days Appleseed would be an appropriate way of celebrating and honouring the brave militiamen who took part in this, the first Battle of the Revolution. It would also be appropriate to collect some water from the Ohio River where it flows past Point Pleasant to be distributed to Appleseed Instructors for anointing future Riflemen.

You guy's from the northeast are welcome to attend the celebration.

VAshooter

[indian4]

TheMachine and VAshooter summed it up pretty well.  I just want to add TheMachine's hospitality combined with VAshooter, George, and Slim's instruction really made a good weekend great.  Thanks again guys, and I hope to make it back to Stinson again this season.   

[Old Dog]

And don't forget the last battle of the Revolutionary War in Sept. 1782 at Wheeling, WV.

"In September, 1782, occurred the last siege of Fort Henry, regarded by some as the last battle of the Revolution. A force of forty irregular British soldiers and 238 Indians, under Captain Bradt, made the attack. Between the former siege and this one the homes of the settlers had been rebuilt, including that of Ebenezer Zane. His dwelling contained a store of surplus ammunition and arms and it had been decided to occupy it in case of another attack. Being notified of the approach of the enemy by John Lynn, a scout, preparations were speedily made for the expected attack. Those who demained within the Zane house were Andrew Scott, George Green, Elizabeth Zane (Colonel Zane's wife), Molly Scott, Miss McCulloch, a sister of Major Samuel McCulloch, a negro slave and his wife, "Daddy Sam" and Kate. From all other homes the occupants had entered the fort. Although Colonel David Shepherd was superior officer in the county it appears that Colonel Silas Zane was again in command.12

The Indians approached carrying the British flag and asked for surrender, which was refused. During the night of attack the garrison of Fort Henry was re-enforced by the arrival of a few men who had come down in a boat from Pittsburgh. They carried some cannon balls, some of which were taken and used in the real cannon which had been substituted for the wooden one, the rest being appropriated by the attackers.

The first efforts of the enemy were toward destruction of the fort by battering it in every way possible. The first day was spent in futile attempts in this direction. The Indians placed their chief reliance upon burning and during the night made many attempts to burn both the fort and Colonel Zane's house. The negro slave detected the approach of an Indian and killed him as he was about to set fire to the residence. The cannon was brought into play, firing sixteen times during the attack. Being impressed by the effectiveness of the cannon, the Indians and soldiers made one of their own out of a hollow tree which they wrapped with chains found in a blacksmith shop and loaded with the balls taken from the Pittsburgh boat. When they fired it the explosion did no damage to the fort but killed and injured several persons who stood about.

It was during the second siege that the ammunition ran low in the fort and a volunteer, Elizabeth Zane, sister of Ebenezer Zane,13 ran to the cabin and returned under fire with a supply of powder, thus doing her part toward defense, and furnishing the background for a much-repeated story of pioneer days.

At the end of three days the Indians were thoroughly discouraged and, soon after, when Captain Boggs arrived with seventy men, they gave up and turned their attention to Rice's Fort, in the vicinity, where they lost heavily again.

Thus Fort Henry not only saved a large proportion of the inhabitants of the young colony at Wheeling, but played an important, though minor, role in the closing days of the American Revolution. The Second Siege was the last formidable raid of Indians into West Virginia."

From http://www.wvculture.org/history/journal_wvh/wvh1-2.html

[SamD]

I'm proud of the lot of ya.
Bringing a new state into Appleseed is a great thing.
Now grow

Sam

[Stratoghost]

I wasn't sure what to expect when prepared to go Friday night. I took way too much stuff for my little car. The only thing I forgot was a stapler. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I learned quite a bit and have a lot to practice. I was a little disappointed not to score Rifleman, but I know I will do better next time. Here are some pics I took (click on the thumbnail to see the full size pic):


BTW, even though I was never a big fan of potato soup, I have to say that Sunday's lunch was the best potato soup I have ever had and I wouldn't mind having it again.
Thanks again to everyone.

[The Machine]

I will tell you about something else I learned while I was there. I have learned when and where the first battle of the American Revolution took place.

I found this very fascinating and surprising as well. We have a group of folks looking into this, and I am going to contact the people who oversee the monument and associated events that VAShooter mentioned.

And as OD pointed out, the site of what is considered the last battle of the American Revolution, happens to be located in WV also.

I guess one could say that WV is the alpha and omega of American Revolution sites--wild and wonderful. 

[slim]

Seems I'm late to the party. I started this post in the other thread but got tired and stopped typing mid-post. Folks above have pretty well summed it up.

The very first event in the Mountain State and I had the pleasure of being there to experience it first-hand. The first of many Appleseed events to come since Stinson is WV's Designated Applseed Range. And what a great range it is! The Machine and SuzyQ (with a little help from their dog MoJo!) are sowing the seeds of Liberty and reaping Riflemen! It is truly a working farm once again!

I was impressed by the persistence Mountaineers (and Buckeyes!) showed at this event. They just kept on improving throughout the day. The shooters who stayed overnight were rewarded with an absolutely gorgeous day to save the country on Sunday.

This weekend I saw a man literally tie a rope onto his bolt rifle to use as a sling and it shrunk his already small groups even more. Drinking from the fire hose indeed! Many worked through physical limitations and still shot well. Everyone paid attention and applied what they learned in one way or another and by the end of the day, it really showed. Sunday we saw AQT target after AQT target over 200 on the right side of the line and The Machine, on the left side, took his from dots all over to small groups of dots inside the green. We enjoyed a day that was more like a picnic (with the aforementioned very delicious potato soup) and a family shooting together than an Appleseed. SuzyQ did her best to shoot with us but played such a good hostess that she didn't get much range time in.

And as was also mentioned, top notch instruction as well. Whenever you get the chance to shoot with VAShooter, you should do it. He doesn't waste range time! I'm blessed to be scheduled with GeorgeT again soon at Athens (and fully expect to be handing Stratoghost a green patch with the word RIFLEMAN on it!) and have no doubts that next time I'm in WV there'll be several Mountaineers with hats on kind of like mine.

I'm already looking forward to returning (when it's warmer!) and taking part in another WV event. Special thanks to both the Machine and SuzyQ for not only making this whole thing happen, but bending over backward to make sure we had everything we needed. It's folks like you, through your selfless dedication to the cause, that are going to right the sinking ship. Hope to see you guys again really soon. (And thanks too to Maryetta for offering dinner. Next time, if I'm not too busy shivering all night, I'll probably take you up on it.)

[Fred]

    Years from now, after we've saved the country and all gone home (or to visit the new Appleseed Museum on the DC Mall), I bet those "initial 11" will have a bond that's still strong: They were the first, the "first strike of the match" in WV.

     From that first small strike came the growing conflagration that eventually set fire to the entire state of West Virginia.

      TM, have you got room for - even picked out the spot - where the concrete spire with the brass commemorative plate will be put? (Did I say "concrete"? Sorry, I meant "granite"...)

      Good job, guys. Let's keep it going...

[The Machine]

TM, have you got room for - even picked out the spot - where the concrete spire with the brass commemorative plate will be put? (Did I say "concrete"? Sorry, I meant "granite"...)

Yes Fred, we have the room and spot. Now, if I can just get one of the Vermont crew to bring some of their famous granite down here...

[Nickle]

You know, Fred didn't even suspect he was walking himself into that one. 

Granite comes from only a couple of places in the world, and most of it comes from Vermont.

When I finally make it down there, I'll have to bring a chunk with me. 

I could argue when the FIRST battle of the Revolutionary War was, though. Some say as early as 1770, the Boston Massacre. It clearly was ONE of the issues leading to the Revolution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Massacre The outrage from the Stamp Act in 1765 was even earlier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_Act_1765

[Dirty Bill]

Well,it seems like the first AppleSeed in West Virginia went well. I'm sorry i didn't make  it,but April 19 will soon be here. I just couldn't be there for the first one due to illness. I guess I have time for some practice before I roll in at the Machines farm. Hopefully,I'll see everyone then. Dirty Bill

[The Machine]

You know, Fred didn't even suspect he was walking himself into that one. 

Granite comes from only a couple of places in the world, and most of it comes from Vermont.

Well Nickle, superficially, it seems that Fred walked into that one--if so--the joke's on him. But, I have a sneaking suspicion Fred (the chess master) might have been a few moves ahead of us. Why? Because all the ingredients for concrete are easily obtained from the Ohio River basin, but granite would have to be imported from Vermont, up north. Since this compelling evidence about the first battle of the American Revolution taking place in the south has come into play, he probably knew it would raise the eyebrows of you northerners. So, knowing all of this, along with the generous and inquisitive nature of Appleseed instructors, he figured an instructor(s) would bring some granite to WV and help run one of our unstaffed events while here. Also, you guys could see first-hand the Point Pleasant battle location, while leaving behind a remnant of the north (granite) as a token of remembrance. 

Of course I could be "all wet"! 

As an aside...when I was stationed in OK, there was a town called "Granite" that once produced a beautiful reddish colored granite, which was used to build a Will Rogers monument outside of Claremore, OK.

[Nickle]

Nah, I know Fred pretty well, and he's a real smart guy. But, I'll wager he missed where this would go. 

Last time I checked, WV was considered to be a "Northern" state, unless you go strictly by Mason/Dixon (some of us up here would gladly give you MD and DC). Check the origins of the state, and the "unpleasantness of 1861-1865", known to some as the "War of Northern Agression" (a much more fitting term than Civil War).

Now, it's going to have to be in my future plans to get down your way sometime in the future (question is when).

[The Machine]

Yes, WV did side with the north in the "war", which is why WV is sometimes referred to as "the bastard child of the Civil War", an undistinguished title IMHO. All that aside, I was referencing it's more southerly geographic location in comparison to the other location of the "first" battle--Lexington/Concord.

Personally, I have seen WV listed as a mid-Atlantic, northeastern, and southeastern state; just to confuse things more. 

As for MD and DC...does anyone really want them? I know WV doesn't. And I believe VA wouldn't either. Hold on, let me check with VAShooter... ...nope, not interested. I guess those pups are on their own! 

All the drama and confusion in regards to WV history, will definitely give us something to talk about, when you finally find the time to venture down here...with your granite of course! 

[Old Dog]

If you read the history of WV you'll see they got together a couple of times and debated whether or not to secede from VA several years prior to the Civil War.  For some odd reason (the usual politics and BS) the "flat" part of VA was treating the prettier part of VA much like the North was treating the south.  The hill folks did not have the same lifestyle or beliefs of many in the south and took the opportunity to finish what they'd started so many years before.

Then it just got downright mean and viscious.  Murder, rape, burning, hanging, ambushes, etc. as people used the "cause" of the war to justify seeking revenge for perceived past wrongs.  That war is best forgotten since it's cause and even it's results don't have much to do with Appleseed.

[slim]

I did a little research on the Battle of Point Pleasant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Point_Pleasant) and it seems that it's celebrated locally as "the first battle of the Revolution" when, in fact, the men of the WV (VA at that time) militia actually fought on the side of the Crown against the Indians.

It took place during what was known as "Dunmore's War" which pitted the British Regulars of Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia, and their Colonial alllies against the Shawnee and other Indians led by Cornstalk, a Shawnee chief.

Basically, there was a Virginian militia leader by the name of Lewis and he and his men pushed West into Cornstalk's territory and drove Cornstalk and the boys back across the Ohio River. The main battle took place where the Kanawha River meets the Ohio and was remembered as the Battle of Point Pleasant.

The Battle took place in October of '74 and the Virginians and Regulars marched into Ohio to compel Cornstalk to sign a treaty. Before they returned home, the American Revolutionary War had begun in April of '75 in Lexington and Concord (Wiki got that one right!) and Lord Dunmore was directed to lead the British Regulars' efforts to fight the Colonial militia in West Virginia. He sought allegiance from many of the Indians he had just defeated and over the years, the story evolved into the Battle of Point Pleasant being fought not as a combined effort to drive the Indians out, but to stop the Indians from joining Dunmore and join the Crown in fighting the militia.

Either way, a very good story and yet another interesting part of our American Heritage. There's definitely a place for this one at Stinson, maybe during lunch? "The noble militiamen of West Virginia assisted the Crown in defeating the Indian adversary, only to have the Crown deceitfully attempt to ally themselves with their vanquished foe in hopes of further tightening the yoke of tyranny the Colonials were forced to bear."