This was by far the most attentive group of Great Americans to come out and hear The Story of Our Great Country, and to learn all about riflemarkmanship,,,
When I introduced myself to the first group of shooters to arrive,, The first lady to shake my hand said without a pause,,, Hi,, My name is Laura and I'm a neophyte,,, I just knew it was going to be a Great Shoot,, for her and her husband Roger, with friends John and Terry, they made just a wonderful group of students that you could not have found better,,, most humble and teachable, with great attitudes and just genuinely nice people,,, very refreshing,,, and they drove many hrs to get here,, I must Thank You on a personal note for guiding us to that restaurant,, the food was out of this world and very inexpensive
Our man from Vermont,,, Alan, to his 6th Appleseed,,, the outstanding dedication of people that really love to enjoy our freedoms that we have in our country is unsurpassed,,, Alan is a great representative of that,,, Great Job Alan,,,
Heather was probably the most disciplined person that has been on a line in recent memory when she took a few pieces of hot 223 brass down the jacket that tattooed her but good, The FIRST rule of safety was set by her as she did not even move the muzzle a bit,,,, Such Outstanding Safety discipline on her part that I wish it was on video so it could be shown as a training film during our safety brief in the morning,,, True, mind over matter at work here,, Outstanding Job Heather you are Welcome back Anytime, Hope your doing OK,,,
Kevin and Jennifer round out our class participants with a can do attitude that works well for everybody,,, So glad that you came out to enjoy the day with us,, Kevin is also an Appleseed returnee,,,
When you have a great place to shoot such as The Massena Rod and Gun Club, and nice weather with great people, it is an event that you wish could go on forever,,,
Saturday was so smooth with everybody improving so much that it was clear in their faces that they enjoyed the time we spent together,,, I am sure that they will be back in the future to take in more of what we have to offer,,, I know there will be rifle improvements, homework done, dry firing done, and range time,,, Practice, Dryfire,,,
Senior Instructor Crak,,came all the way from Mass. to spend the time on sunday to lend a hand, 7hrs drive, why so far for an 8 person shoot, he said I didn't have anything better to do,,, he truly knows the need for the mission here,,, his insight was greatly appreciated and his history was outstanding,, Thank You Sir,
Spartan did an Outstanding Job with bringing, Heather and Jennifer up to speed on sunday, marked improvement was great with these Ladies who are also wearing the uniform our Great Country,,, Thank You So Much
And Gabriella,, That Rifle of yours is a sweet heart for sure,, Master those sights and you will master the Biathalon
This AAR is far from over, I will try to get the pictures up shortly, it takes me a while to do that, in the meantime please feel free to add to this AAR,,
Again I would like to Thank you folks for being who you are, Fine Americans, Everyone,,,
sgtrock
Sgt Rock, you did it again. :bow: good job.
To add to it, top shelf instructors. O0 I missed a good one.
So enjoyable when shooters have a teachable attitude. :--- :~
Laura and Roger, Terry and John, Gabriele, Alan (didn't I see you two weekends ago at Proctor), Jennifer and Kevin, Heather, nice, Spread the word, this event is no secret and you must share it with friends and invite them to a Appleseed. A place were good people meet and learn History and Marksmanship. Thank you for attending. And good job Heather with muzzle discipline. Be proud and show off that new tattoo, tell you friends what they missed..
Crak, Sgt Rock and Spartan - Excellent Team :bow: O0 ..:.. ^:)^
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Hooah Hooah and a high five!! I am impressed at how far folks came to this shoot. I think the average was at least 3-4 hours of driving. Gabriele drove alot just to come up and then back and forth to Pburg and did a great job with her biathlon rifle too. The club was supportive and we had one club member Heather come out on sunday to shoot with us along with a former USMC PMI that came to see what right looks like again Sunday Morning. Great bunch of shooters.
Here are the pictures I was able to take,,,,
(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/th_011.jpg) (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/011.jpg)
(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/th_003.jpg) (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/003.jpg)
(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/th_009.jpg) (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/009.jpg)
(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/th_008.jpg) (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/008.jpg)
(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/th_007-1.jpg) (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/007-1.jpg)
(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/th_006-2.jpg) (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/006-2.jpg)
(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/th_005.jpg) (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/005.jpg)
(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/th_010.jpg) (http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/sgtrocke6/010.jpg)
Maybe one of our students may have more pictures to share,,,
Nice pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 That Flag looks great!!!
Thanks John
When my time management improves, I will be able to take more pictures,,, But I was never a picture taker to begin with so it is not a thing that I dwell on,,, I totally forgot to get a group picture,,,, live and learn,,,
I think it is great as it is!!! HOOAH!!!
Wish I could have been there. glad it went smooth. Good Job fellas
....it was cool to go roller skiing at the end of the world......or was it just Southern Canada? Caught nice sun at the end of the day -Saturday...designated snowmobile/four wheeler roads in Constable(on the 122 toward Platts)....gorgeous farmland....cows staring, must of been 40 foot barn...lit...look like a nice place to sleep on a 32 degree night.
...the instruction was worth the drive. It would be cool to nail targets with those sites. Going to get cozy with my rifle in the livingroom for a few nights before wasting anymore ammunition. Going to be a lot of penalty laps (one for each missed target) if things don't improve. Thanks to you I know what to practice. I really appreciate it.
P.S. I tell all my patients about Appleseed......and my coworkers ' bout squeezing the trigger....ball point pen trick...atleast the ones that get it.
Gabriella
Greetings,
Ran across this while looking for something else and wanted to share it. Reminded me of the great history we learned at Appleseed. Thanks again guys!
"fired the shot heard round the world." <-- It was a well-aimed shot no doubt!
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
CONCORD HYMN:
SUNG AT THE COMPLETION OF THE BATTLE MONUMENT,
April 19, 1836.
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.
The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.
On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
J and T
Thank you for sharing this,
A Great way to start the day
Stoner
..WOW!! I know I am chiming in a bit late but it looks and sounds like it was a very special event..
..Thanks Sgt, Crak & Spartan, job well done!!
........Strength & Honor..........JW..............
I apologize for taking so long to get this up. Been busier than a one armed paper hanger and also had to learn the forum method of photo posts.
But here it is
After an awesome ride thru the High Peaks, I approached Massena in the early evening. It had been an incredibly clear, beautiful day, but as I passed thru Potsdam I saw gathering clouds. I reached the range as darkness was falling, as was a slight drizzly rain.
I was greeted by Spartan, who I had met at previous Appleseed events, and Sgt. Rock. After some pleasantry I hustled off to get my tent pitched before the rain became incessant. I was able to set up with only a small amount of dampness inside the tent, wiped down the wetness and went off to find some dinner in town.
(http://)
I spent the chilly night warm in my sleeping bag and woke the next morning to a crystal clear day. Altho I was up a bit before daylight, struggling to brew some coffee. Spartan and Sgt. Rock were off to Stewart's for theirs, but I eventually succeeded, proffered it around and did get some lauds on quality.
The shooting started. The pace was a bit slower than I had become accustomed, Sgt. Rock was focused on quality, not quantity. He also was very much into the history of April 19, 1775, I'm learning to appreciate the nuances of the stories told by different instructors at different events. In all it was a very good day. I actually found time to not only shoot my rifle, but also found some space to shoot my camera, something I've always wanted to do at an Appleseed. Some day I may just go to an Appleseed just to shoot the camera (no doubt I would do a better job than I did this weekend).
(http://www.theelectricrose.com/Appleseed.Massena.10.09.10/DSC_0079s.jpg)
(http://www.theelectricrose.com/Appleseed.Massena.10.09.10/DSC_0085s.jpg)
(http://www.theelectricrose.com/Appleseed.Massena.10.09.10/DSC_0098s.jpg)
Saturday night was another toasty night in the tent, only to awake to a good 1/4 inch of frost on it. Yet the day was clear and warmed up after the sunrise.
Crak had arrived Saturday night, another old friend from my first Appleseed in June. I'm finding I feel most at home with Appleseed events.
(http://www.theelectricrose.com/Appleseed.Massena.10.09.10/MorningRangeS.jpg)
Did some good shooting on Sunday. A few more shooters showed up and the line was very active. And the day was perfect.
(http://www.theelectricrose.com/Appleseed.Massena.10.09.10/Massena.PanoramaSmtw.jpg)
(Un)Fortunately Sunday was a busy rifle shooting day and I did not have a chance to shoot my camera.
There was some concern that I may have been discouraged not making the rifleman mark, I shot 207, now my personal best, and as such felt very good about the whole weekend experience. I began shooting last June after a forty year hiatus. I hadn't shot since 1968. My first Appleseed in June, my high score was 127. Every time I've gone to an Appleseed my score has improved, this program can't be beat. I'm shooting over the top better now than I did in '68 when I got my AF SAEM. I'm getting better and will continue to. I'm going to try and make Sunday in Leyden, MA next month and will undoubtably join Sgt. Rock next summer in Burlington Flats.
In all it was a perfect weekend. I survived the rain, the frost, shot better than I have, spit in the St. Lawrence River for the first time, watch an oil tanker go into a lock, did some dry firing, and most of all enjoyed meeting all the folks on the line.
Allen
Thank you for posting your pictures they are great,,, You sure know how to use a camera,, Panoramic even,,, that is a nice shot,,,
It will be nice to have you at Burlington Flats next year,,, our shoots start up again in March,,,
We have 6 shoots on the schedule, plus a Riflemans Boot Camp a week long event, followed with an Appleseed, you can take part in that if you like as well,,,
Thank You Again
sgtrock