The day dawned cool and clear, not a breath of wind, 40x4 red coats glowed brightly all in line as if held together by a wire. Slowly American Patriots began to arrive, 27 in total. Though out numbered, they were confident in their marksmanship skills. Plans were made, safety was discussed, and the order was given to FIRE!
As the dust cleared, the Red Coats had taken a terrible beating, more then half taken out at 200+ yards, at the end of Sunday in a 30-50 mph full value wind, we had a 50% hit rate on the Murphy Square. DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!
We were light on Rifleman Patches as the winds and temps came up into the 90's, but in true Rifleman fashion, no one gave up, dirt and grit in the eyes, teeth, and other locations we won't discuss. At least half are knocking at the door. The smiles at the end of the day told us the journey has begun and I look forward to sharing a line with these fine folks again., there are no finer on this earth. Many thanks to "Heretic" who worked so hard to make this happen....O.L.
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I is My extreme pleasure to have have spent this weekend serving so many fine awakening Americans:
Men, Women, Boys and Girls who "Know very well what they are about"!!!!
And definitely a big thank you to the instructors that made this happen. The time constraints and the fatigue got me this time around but I will practice and you guys can expect to see me again.
Tim
It makes me swell with pride to say "I am a TEXAN". It was a phenomenal 2 days with the finest of the panhandle on the line. To say there was improvement in the shooting skills of those on the line would be a serious understatement. To watch some who had never shot before grimace at the approaching bayonets the first morning, to the same ones making the Murphy square at the end of the day says volumes about the dedication and willingness to become pretzels in learning.
The number of families and shooters ranging from 6 years old to the 50's was reason to smile and swell up with pride. The attentiveness during the history lesson was showed when instructors quizzed the shooters on names and locations and the "Correct" answers came fast and direct without hesitation, even on day 2.
To say that Theresa and I are looking forward to round 2 in the Panhandle of Texas is an understatement. We are anxious and willing to make the trip as many times as necessary to build an instructor cadre with some of the finest American Patriots we have had the honor to shoot with.
Theresa, Ezra and Jimi say Thank you for the hospitality.
Looking forward to coming there again, many times.
This was a great group of folks to work with, with quite a few 'yoots' on Saturday! No complaints, even as the wind was toppling ez-ups and giving us a sandblasting. Groups, as a whole, got smaller as you saw the instruction 'click' with all of the shooters. At lunch, as we all broke bread together, there was an intense concentration as the Strikes were told. By the end of the day, there were smiles all over the place as folks saw the improvement they'd made from the beginning of the day.
On Sunday we had some really persistent folks return (those that didn't were in church) to even stronger winds and more sandblasting, and we had quite a few of those "knocking on the door" even with the extreme wind. We will have quite a few returnees, for the next one, and the Levelland/Lubbock area will produce quite a few Riflemen.
All in all, it was a great time. New friends were made, eyes were opened to our nations beginning, and quite a few folks are well on the path to becoming the Riflemen.
A day shooting in the wind and dust=GREAT. Watching groups get smaller and smaller and on paper= AWESOME. Seeing 28 smiles at the end of a rough day, and knowing that they are 'getting it'= PRICELESS
I just wanted to check in and say that I had a wonderful time this weekend! The instructors did a spectacular job, the participants were all great, and we learned a whole lot about marksmanship and history. While I came up just short of earning my badge (darn 50 mph wind gusts!), I am looking forward to going for it next time around.
Thanks again to everyone!
Great Job, West Texas! Good to see folks like ya'll come out, improving your shooting, and learning about your heritage.
Proud of the Southern New Mexico Appleseed crew. Looks like ya'll had a heck of a line!
For dry powder,
-David
Edgewood, NM
I just wanted to say thanks to all instructors. :bow: We had a great time. Everyone here (and more) are eagerly awaiting our next event. We are beginning to wrap up details on another, SOON Appleseed.
Thanks to all the instructors. I had a great time and really improved my shooting.
How do I make sure I don't miss the next one?
Chris W
Chris, if you pre-registered for the Levelland shoot, they should send you an email for any that come up locally. We looked at another site closer to Lubbock yesterday. So keep an eye out for it, looking around the end of May...O.L.
I was a walk-in last time. how do I get on the email list?
Excellent job all you guys!
50 mph winds...yee haw. :--- >:D
It was a great weekend with a lot of great instructors. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in putting this on. It was my pleasure to meet all of you. Rumor is someone is working for another shoot in Lubbock, wonder if that is true? ;)
The shooting was great - but I enjoyed the history lesson of the men and women who gave us this great country and the sacrifices they made for so many. :cool2: