Coeur d'Alene September 12th & 13th overflowing goodness...

[Earl]

Here I am back home and looking for a place to put my comments on the greatest Appleseed I ever have been part of... and looks like Fred thinks I should build it and they will come.

I was really worried about this weekend, seven really nice instructors and almost eighty registered shooters, lots of youth and women and a hot beautiful weekend. That was a bit daunting, but a Rifleman persists. Now we have a place to post.

[Earl]

One of the nice things about blogging format is quick links to add information.

This is what I wrote on my blog earlier today:
http://wmearl-justthelibrarykeeper.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-weekend-and-camera-troubles.html

That is only the beginning; the number of new Riflemen, the number of repeating Riflemen, the number of new ITTs, the number of promotions to RWVA Instructor and higher levels of ITT recognized ability, the great people meeting at the range for a weekend of finer shooting and listening and discussing our heritage and Appleseed's mission, all too much for my current post, I have to eat breakfast and get ready for work, it was a long drive in the darkness last night.

[tdow]

It was an honor to spend my weekend meeting shooters and fellow instructors.  Without fail, they are the best people out there.  I really can't find the right words to describe it.  Getting to help them makes it even better.

Congratulations to all the new Riflemen, IIT's and to Rod for getting his red hat!

I would also like to thank Bob at the Fernan Rod and Gun Club.  He is a truly first class guy.

--Todd

[Pa Rah]

This was truly a great Appleseed. There may have been a few to many shooters for the space that had been dedicated (two full bays) for the weekend but, if any one of the participants had not come some of the richness of this American experience would have been lost.

Everyone I met had come to learn. This was particularly evident the last couple of hours on Sunday.

Everyone was hot, and tired late in day. At this point of an Appleseed I’ve seen people just give up and go home early. Not this group! This is when they buckled down and really worked; practicing each of the six steps and systematically reduced their group sizes. I was very impressed and expect to see a lot more riflemen coming from Idaho in addition to the 20 something percent of the shooters who shot rifleman this weekend.

It was great to work with hawkhavn, Earl, Reformed Redneck, and Western Rose for the first time. RL what can I say, thanks for taking the floor Friday night. tdow it’s always my pleasure, you have a good heart and a dedication to what is good that is apparent to everyone who knows you.

Also, I want to say thank you to hawkhavn for your preparation and communicating your plan in advance of the event. It couldn't have worked out better.

PS. The week end was summed up by Emily age nine on the last Red Coat on Sunday, “OK, this is what we have been practicing for”.   

[Scott]

Alright...here's the inaugural post.  Heather and I want to say a big thank you to all the instructors...especially Earl.  This was Heather's 2nd AS and 2nd time at the CDA range.  I know she wanted Riflewoman, but I did not realize it meant that much to her.  She is still quite ecstatic! 

She worked hard and persevered...even with the hot brass (30-06) burning the small of her back.  Ouch!     She is a tough cookie.

Thanks again and we will be seeing all of you again I am sure. 

[Western Rose]

Hawkhavn, thanks for wearing your green hat. Your the first shoot boss to do so at any of the shoots I've gone to. Thanks for coming out it was great to meet and work with you.


Earl, it was a blast working with you as always. I was looking forward to it since the Lewiston shoot. Thanks for coming down again.

RL, I don't have a picture of you.. Thanks for coming down and then putting up with me for the whole first day.

Tdow, I didn't get a picture of you either. I didn't get to work with you at all this weekend but I look forward to doing so in Nov. 

Pa Rah, it was great doing parking lot drill with you. Thanks for all of the help and advice. 

The group Sat. morning. Thanks for coming out folks!    

The flags at the lower range.


The group at the upper range. We didn't get any pictures of the group at lower range.


Good job, Andy! We don't have a picture but Andy took on the orange hat!


"I told you you not to get a 210" Well, I didn't but someone did. 


 I had a lot of fun working with David, 10, Jamie, 10, and Emily, 9, on Saturday. David didn't once forget anything when he safed his rifle. Emily kept getting Jamie's hot brass and would set down her rifle before jumping back out of the way. I didn't get a picture of you three but I wish I had.

More pictures to follow.

[hawkhavn]

All,

Just got in from the airport...

Thank you to everyone.

What a great weekend!  More later tomorrow tonight...

hawkhavn

[Earl]

This was a great Appleseed, but I didn't take my normal amount of pictures, others will have to post. I do know that my greatest reward and the Shootboss allowed me the privilege of awarding the Rifleman badges won on my line, on Sunday that was rocking. Craig's Crew was knocking off AQTs like they were only made for them.

I know the NPOA works, I was watching the shooters proving it to themselves over and over, I have to thank Ed's POI, it was quick and effective and covered all the things we need to soak the shooters with, and then Todd mentions it could be a good idea to use Fred's yellow sheet for the shooters to figure out their own problems, and that worked well, too.  I always like to learn new tricks.

One wonders having seen the progress on those two days of the young children and the ladies, why everyone isn't coming to Appleseeds, to have a great time learning about their heritage in a safe, friendly environment, ask your neighbor.

[Earl]

One of those "Where's Waldo" pictures, the butterflies landed, the ground squirrels improved their homes all while lots of people perforated paper perfectly.

[patronus of licentia]

Just wanted to say thanks to all the instructors for the donation of their time over the weekend. I figured since I was bringing 4 young kids ages 6-10 and one new shooter I would be spending all my time helping my kids. There was more help from various individuals than I would have thought possible. I was able to shoot almost all day Sunday because of this. Thanks again. For anyone out there wondering what age to start there future rifleman, after this weekend I would say the sooner the better. My youngest shot a Cricket .22 that didn't perform very well but still enjoyed herself immensely. All other children did well started off by not hitting paper on Saturday to scoring lots of hits on Sunday. Not bad for only their second time shooting and first time with rifles. Appleseed is truly what this Country needs not to just learn history and how to shoot but also to get out there, meet all the wonderful people involved and do something! If your still sitting on the fence hop off and get involved. I know time is scarce and most people want to stay off of all the wonderful lists, but no one has ever won any kind of battle by hiding and waiting. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying a weekend outside with some of the nicest and safest people in this great land.

[Cedarpole]

I just wanted to thank all the great instructors for putting on this shoot.  My wife, grandson, and I had a terrific time, and we can't possibly begin to tell you how much we learned (and improved).  You're a great bunch!  And the participants were outstanding as well.  I've never met a better bunch of folks; always kind, helpful, and encouraging.  We've been to lots of matches and shoots over the years, but the Appleseed Shoots are by far the most "family friendly"!

[Pa Rah]

Sunday afternoon tdow introduced a NPOA exercise (using two green AQT targets) that was very effective. He mentioned that he had seen a post on the Appleseed site about this exercise. Maybe we can get him to share the link with us and/or explain to everyone this awesome teaching tool in an Internal AAR post.

[Western Rose]

Saturdays Riflemen and Riflewomen.

Good job, Mike!


Way to go, Bob!


Becky, I told you you didn't need that post for standing.. Good job! 


Brandon (right?), well done!


I don't recall your name, sorry. This is Becky's Dad getting his patch. Good job!

I don't recall your name either, sorry. Well done!

Becky and Father. Rifleman team!! 


Timothy, well done! 


I believe this is Jansen or was it Jonathan... Good job!

Loren, what can I say. Well done! At your first Appleseed without any dryfire before hand and only having shot about 100 rounds ever before. It was a real pleasure working with you. Thanks for coming and bringing that very, very teachable, good attitude. You were the first shooter I have worked with that made the cut and got their Rifleman score. I hope to see you again sometime.

Heather, it looks like we don't have a picture of you getting your Rifleman patch.. Congratultions!

Not only a Father and Daughter Rifleman team.. but also a Father and Daughter Instructor team!!! Thanks for taking on the orange hat!! Becky, I can't wait to be able to work a shoot with you! 


Congratulations, Pa Rah!!

[tdow]

Saturdays Riflemen and Riflewomen.



I don't recall your name, sorry. This is Becky's Dad getting his patch. Good job!

That's Rich.  He always brings a few extra shooters and always knows the best place to find a loaner LTR  .

--Todd

[tdow]

I just scrolled down and looked at all the targets.  Everyday folks- men, women, and children- but then again very special people- Riflemen.  We just need to get more Americans to do that, and I think that Fred just might be right about saving this country.

--Todd

[Reformed Redneck]

Friends,

I really can't add much to what the others have said. As my tribe pondered at dinner last night, we agreed unanimously that this was the best Appleseed shoot we had either participated in or instructed at. Fernan is a great facility, and Bob is truly a magnanimous host. Hawkhavn supported all of us working the line, and it didn't seem like we ever hit a snag. Thanks for all of the organizational work you put into this shoot. RL gave the most coherent explanation of IMC I have heard yet. Everyone seemed to get it. It was good to work with Earl again. I enjoyed getting to know Pa Rah a bit, and am glad to have him as part of our Idaho team for Appleseed. I didn't get to work with Todd, but we're almost 'neighbors' up here, so we'll have plenty of opportunity.

I was well impressed with the shooters. It was my pleasure to meet them all, and there are quite a number of them who will likely get their Rifleman patches on their next try. A couple of the guys that couldn't come back Sunday were looking like they might make the Rifleman score, and hopefully they will be back to do so soon. A fair number of the participants had been to previous shoots and it is always a pleasure to see you all coming back for more.

Congratulations go to all that made Rifleman, and to those who took the orange hats. A special congratulation goes to Andy, who was mostly responsible for getting our first Appleseed in Idaho in 2006. He shot his Rifleman score this time, accepted the orange hat, and has committed to helping our state team in developing the program. Thanks, Andy!

I need to also say thanks to the rest of the instructor staff. Because of your encouragement and allowing my youngest redneckette to help coach some of the shooters, she has decided to pursue a Rifleman patch. We'll have her signed up for the Lewiston shoot in November.

There is much more to say, but I don't want to become overly lengthy here. I look forward to seeing you all again at the next opportunity.

One last item. Craig, if you see this post be sure to tell the Mrs. that those cookies were really, really good!

Happy trails,
Reformed Redneck

[hawkhavn]

BTW, the Inland Empire now has two father/daughter IIT teams!

Great shoot all, I certainly enjoyed working with everyone I met - on the line and behind it.  I can see that in a year or so Idaho and eastern Washington will be doing great things, I believe this was a 'cusp' shoot.  You have hit that inflection point where the snowball is now rolling downhill and picking up critical mass.  One shooter mentioned having 50 home schoolers ready to go now, this is when it really gets fun!

Hawkhavn

[RL]

I don't think I have anything to add. Great shoot, thank you to everyone for coming out, and thank you Bob and the Fernan Rod and Gun Club for hosting.

[Earl]

Got to go, but the best compliment I have had in a long, long time.... "you didn't disappoint" from someone that is doing a fine job of carrying America to its best again. Great shoot and the glow doesn't go away, nor the grin.

[GunslingerGirl]

That was my best Appleseed shoot, for sure. I made so many new friends! Thanks for throwing such a great shoot. Now, to study!

Becky