Despite the wet and windy weekend, 13 folks decided the weather alone was not going to stop them from coming to learn about their American history and rifle marksmanship. The day started as usual with our standard hits count target, followed by numerous instruction blocks designed to help shrink everyone's groups down using proper techniques of sending rounds down range before making sight adjustments. We finished Saturday with one Rifleman with a score of 223. Even though groups improved, the weather Saturday proved very challenging with multiple pop ups being yanked from their stakes and the general wet, damp, and cold. Nonetheless, we returned Sunday with lessons learned about better securing the pop ups and went right back into a full day of instruction and practice after practice, Sunday's weather proved to be more cooperating and we turned out 3 Rifleman with Logan, Brandon, and Fredric each earning themselves the coveted Rifleman patch. Logan finished up the day with a high of 244, earning himself a distinguished patch as well.
Even with the chill in the air, spirits were high amongst everyone in attendance, especially as we talked about the experiences of those under General Washington retreating to Pennsylvania after suffering a series of losing battles against the British in the middle of winter. We read parts of The Crisis by Thomas Paine and talked about the challenges facing the Continental army, their struggles for supplies and low morale, how those words "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated." must have resonated with those camped with Washington, and why those of us today, who all had that proper price of FREEDOM already paid for in blood by those before us, must understand how valuable of a gift this is to us and that we must treasure it and protect it to give to our posterity.
I thank you all for coming out on that chilly weekend to learn about your history and heritage. I am also thankful for all of my fellow volunteers who came on short notice and made the event so much easier to run for yours truly.
Even if you did not reach the Rifleman level, keep in mind that a Rifleman persists; continue practicing the techniques and skills that you learned over the weekend by referencing that booklet each of you received. Dry practice dry practice dry practice. You will feel yourself less sore getting into position, you'll find you gain NPOA faster, and you will notice your followup shots to be more consistent and repeatable shot after shot. Keep practice and I look forward to seeing you again at another event in the future.
Thanks to all of our shooters who braved the elements. A special thanks to the four who stuck it out to the end and helped us break down the range. Everyone did well, and I hope to see you all back soon.