To help and sharper our spirits for the start of a new year for our program. This piece written by
Steve is a most poigniant piece of writting. :'(
ODE TO A RIFLEMAN written by Appleseed's own Steve Anderson
I attempted to read this to an Appleseed group in Clinton, Il last summer and was so choked up by it I handed it over
to Gopher Boy (Shoot Boss) who took over from where I left off (not having read it before, nor was he aware of it's powerful sentiment) and he too nearly
lost it as he proceed to read and finish it. I for one could not finish it at the time and stood griped in tears as I watched him struggle through it.
Needless to say he was surprised by it's content and as moved by it as I was. This one for sure is a keeper. In fact an old Korean War Vet father of a daughter
(news reporter who was on scene) was so moved to tears that he left crying following Gopher Boy's benediction, with his daughter hugging him and rubbing his back
as they walked away. This is indeed a beautiful piece and one which I will forever treasure.
Hope you enjoy this presentation of it and can use it. O0 I have merely attempted to merge it with the image of 'Captain John Parker' our hero, in tribute
to him as having so exemplified the meaning of the sentiments of these words. I have learned first hand that they mean a great deal to those who have
personally sacrificed for this nation God has given us. We need to follow up on the daughter Gopher Boy and see if she has written anything, if not
to personally invite her back to the next shoot we do there. What a memorable weekend that was. What marvelous people that came.
The talent we have in Appleseed amazes me. Steve Anderson, thank you sir from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful writing you have done. :bow:
What can I say but you are a Great American! O0 What can any of us say? This is what Appleseed is about O0 This is what we as Riflemen and Rifle women are about.
this is a code to live by.
Best regards,
Castle Mountain
Excellent !! Well done !! Thank you.
As fred says oneday will shall have our own spot in history ..The D.C. mall...this should be on the steps of our shrine....For we are the keepers of the faith in our god ,country and our mission..carry on my brothers and sisters seeya on the line..If not in body then in spirit....
I to was moved and have been looking for this since the clinton AS. I followed up with the daughter once before and she was really busy at the time so i couldnt talk to her but she said she hadnt done anything yet but that she would be writing an article. i will do another follow up and give her the current dates for the next three AS at clinton (which i have people ready to sign up for but they arent listed on the shoot date). if you need anything else let me know. Im not an IIT (yet) but i can do what you need for this area.