On the afternoon of Friday, January 15, I drove down to Manatee Rifle and Archery Club to get a head start on setting up the line. When I arrived I found Diligent1638 (IIT) coaching two early-arriving Appleseed students. These enthusiastic Appleseeders, James and Pam, were camping on the grounds. Once they finished their course of fire the four of us set to work. While Diligent and I pounded posts and strung wire James and Pam moved the many heavy shooting benches off the concrete pad. By the way, these two were the oldest participants at this Appleseed--James is a D-Day veteran and 85 years old!
The weekend weather was great. Except for the high winds both afternoons that set the target line dancing we couldn't have asked for better. Oh, then there was the Saturday night downpour that destroyed the cardboards and turned the range into a lake. None of the shooters complained a bit--even when attacked by unhappy fire ants (who don't like having their burrows flooded). The temperature was nice and cool--high 60s to low 70s.
Diligent, DrJohn, Hopalong, Brown Bess, Willorith, and RickB made up the crew. We had 21 enthusiastic shooters along with two mystery guests--ItsAnSKS and LongRifle joined us for the weekend, incognito, to do a little shooting. As all instructors know, that's often not easy for us!
There were 5 younger shooters on the line and they were very impressive in their determination to learn and their willingness to follow directions. When the history lessons were presented they were enthusiastic listeners. All of them well deserved the youth patches that we presented to them. Arden and Jennie were only able to attend on Saturday but Reagan, Chapin, and Julie stuck it out through the whole weekend and shot scores in the 140-170 range! Their parents were very proud of them--as were the instructors.
We had a grueling Sunday with 9 AQTs plus sighters, dry fire practice, and "Ball and Dummy." At lunchtime the shooters ate together and enjoyed a number of "Dangerous Old Men and Brave Women" stories. Toward the end of the day we took short breaks after each AQT and had LongRifle present different "DOMaBW" tales. Thanks for volunteering, LR! Everyone enjoyed the stories just as much as the opportunity to sit down!
Three of our attendees shot scores of 190+ on their AQTs; consistent dry fire practice at home will put them over the top at their next Appleseed.
Congratulations to Dan, a first-time Appleseeder who used his brand new AR-15 to prove that he is one of those who "know very well what they are about." He earned his patch with a score of 212.
A big "Huzzah" to Wiley (ThaiFighter), a man who has shown the perseverance of a rifleman through several Appleseeds. It all finally "clicked" on Sunday with repeated rifleman scores. His highest score was 228 with his Ruger 10-22. Not satisfied with that, he switched to an AR-15 and shot rifleman again. To top it all off, he immediately volunteered to don the orange hat of an IIT!
All-in-all, it was a great Appleseed and the instructors collected a big paycheck from the shooters--improved marksmanship and a deepening love for liberty. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. You are a wonderful group of people and it was our honor and pleasure to serve with you on the front lines of the battle for liberty.
RickB
Thank you ladies and gentleman for a great weekend (http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v1/p1019597987.gif)
(http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v3/p87889272.jpg)
and I was very satisfied to repeat the event the next day, proving to myself that squeaking by with a 212 was not a fluke lol
(http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v3/p435442330.jpg)
(http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v4/p247469485.jpg)
(http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v8/p225112201.jpg)
(http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v7/p83415731.jpg)
(http://www.danpassaro.com/img/v5/p308777515.jpg)
Hey! Why aren't you in Area 51????
;D
Hawkhavn
Dan, it was an honor to work with you. Thanks for the nice photos--the one of your shadow proves that the sun did eventually come out. We're looking forward to seeing you again!
Hawkhavn, that is Area 51. Diligent1638 has spent so many hours cleaning it up that it is almost unrecognizable.
RickB
The mini DOMaBW stories from Longrifle were an interesting addition. They were just 3-5 minute nuggets that were sprinkled into Sunday's AQT grind. They were stories we haven't heard before, thrown in while the students were prepping magazines. Very nice work, Longrifle.
What a great weekend!!! I just wanted to thank all the instructors again for there superb instruction and patience. This was our second time around and I'm happy to say it was even more fun than the first time. The only downside was the wind. Shooting at moving targets is not my strong suit! The Rifleman patch eluded us yet again but we shall return. Congratulations to Dan and Willey on there patches, well done gentleman! See you all in Feb or March. Thanks again, Justin and Chapin
I'm sure that some of our diligent instructors made themselves busy checking my scoring of Dan's target. That second target in stage 3 has three holes in it.
That is very nice shooting, Dan.
Thanks :)
I've been reeading other after-action reports and many of them with long range go and shoot the long range.
What's needed to make that happen at Manatee?
We normally shoot on a 200 yard range at Hernando. That is only a week away now. Sunday afternoons while grinding out the AQT's, the shooters capable of it will have an opportunity on the full distance range.
Dan, accept an orange hat, hit the road on the Appleseed trail, and join the other Florida instructors at Bradford in March for some full distance fun. I mean 600 yards of full distance fun.
We are also developing an instructor full distance competition stressing first shot hits with iron sights at ranges from 100 to 600 yards. A little incentive to nudge you into doing what a virtuous man is obliged to do.
As I discussed with you at Myakka, we often find that the shooters that achieve Rifleman status at their first event, do not step up to join the instructor corps. I believe this is because they haven't had the opportunity to absorb the Appleseed culture over two or three events. They do not feel the sense of duty to protect the precious gift purchased so dearly by our forefathers. The name, Captain Isaac Davis, does not instantly raise a lump in their throat, a tear in their eye, for the profound courage and the grievous sacrifice of that man. A man who stepped without hesitation into the line of fire to establish and defend your rights as a free man. A man who a few scant moments later left a widow and a house full of sick children that would never again know the comforting hug of their father. Your right to attend a marksmanship clinic unfettered by government red tape was purchased with a spray of crimson from the chest of Captain Isaac Davis of the Acton Militia.
I was just curious, since Manatee has 1,000yd available, what the difference might be ........... :cool2:
Dan,
The difference is that the only long range usually available at the Manatee club is on the public range. There, we cannot control the line calls and tempo. So much time would get wasted that the shooters wouldn't get very much out of the experience.
RickB
Ok, just had no idea how Hernando and Manatee compare lol
Congrats to all participants...
We grew as riflemen/women and as people...
Dan, impressive results, even where your marks aren't bang on center, your groups are tight...
If you'd like to run a long range, ping me and let's make a time we can meet at the range and we'll play spotter and shooter and build range cards/mark sights for our rifles and loads...
I've got a Sav 30-06 that's itching to reach out long with 300 fire-formed brass and 168gr AMAX hitters. I need a spotter. :)
Justin: Congrats on raising Chapin right. You, Reagansmom and Rick, and Julie's Father have got my nomination for parents of the year!
Keep up the dry fire practice! Check out Willorith's post here:
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=11326.msg93424#msg93424
This is great wisdom and a path to overcoming most problems in life...
break them down into manageable portions and hit the ones where you are weakest...
priceless! :D
Look forward to seeing you all again!
Wiley
Wow, first off, Congratulations and thank you to ThaiFighter - WTG! I don't know that I'd call Rick and I parents of the year (LOL) ;D but I did just have a conversation with a co-worker, telling them about Appleseed, and used the phrase "it teaches the ideals, morals, values, and skills I want my children to learn." I am so proud of Reagan! This was way out of her box, but she seems to be a natural and loves it as much as I do. More family time for us, yay! (PS - we have a 3 year old too - Barrett - as soon as he can follow directions a little better, he'll be right there next to us!)
Speaking of that, Rick and I will be back at Myakka in Feb, hopefully with two newbies. Rick is itchin' to make Rifleman (well, me too, but he's a little closer!) and we want to hear more about the 3 shots and those unsung heroes that have awakened such a spirit in us! Unfortunately, Reagan won't be able to make it that weekend, but I've promised her that we will go again and again - Appleseed has quickly become a part of us.
I was so thrilled that we had the same instructor team in Jan that we had in Dec. Thank you again to all of you for your diligence, devotion, loyalty, patriotism, patience and expertise. And your sense of humor! It sounds like you've had a full schedule, but I selfishly hope you will all be back again in Feb. ::)
HUZZAH! see you then.....
Thanks to all the instructors for allowing me to observe their shoot. Florida has got a good crew.
I also got to shoot and it was a treat. I shot 'otherhanded' the whole weekend and it was tough. It took me 2 days to figure out how to run my equipment with my other side. I felt like a beginner again! I was finally able to shoot two rifleman scores on sunday. Shooting 'otherhanded' is going to be part of my regular training from now on. I would strongly urge every instructor to go through this experience. It's easy to forget what it's like to be a novice.
I also really enjoyed sharing some of my favorite Dangerous People stories with everyone. Every time I tell one of those stories I'm reminded of my heritage and the sacrifices those folks made for us.
Long Rifle
Quote from: ThaiFighter on January 22, 2010, 11:05:32 PM
.....................
If you'd like to run a long range, ping me and let's make a time we can meet at the range and we'll play spotter and shooter and build range cards/mark sights for our rifles and loads...
I've got a Sav 30-06 that's itching to reach out long with 300 fire-formed brass and 168gr AMAX hitters. I need a spotter. :)
......................
sounds good to me :)
Congratulations to all the new and returning shooters to Appleseed at Myakka. I can't wait to get back as soon as possible - hopefully February. I am so proud of Reagan, Michele and Rick for persevering. Your Rifleman patches are waiting for you!!! Keep on practicing and you WILL get them!! One year ago I was still very timid regarding shooting, but not wanting to disappoint my husband I kept trying. My first Appleseed changed everything for me. This past December at Myakka I earned the Rifleman patch with a whopping score of 234. I now go to our local indoor range by myself and just this week Michele came with me. The feeling of confidence I have now is exhilarating and shooting is just downright fun. A huge thank you to Rick B, Brian and all the other volunteering Shoot Bosses & IIT's that have helped me get to this point. It is with pride that I officially request to be accepted by Appleseed as an IIT. Other than sharing my faith in God and salvation through Jesus Christ, I can't imagine spending the free time I have left as an American doing anything more important than helping others become American Riflemen and Riflewomen. It will be an honor and a privilege to take up this task. Thank you Appleseed!!