Well there has already been some action at Calverton related to this week-end as VietVet, Charlie Hotel, Big Matt, Craig and myself dressed the range for the big event. We hung our flags, set up a special memorial for each of our two lines and then shot our own rifles for an hour or two. Just a few photos to let everyone see how we do things on Long Island...
Eat your heart out Saratoga!
On the Left Line, VietVet set up a "Memorial Hill" to commemorate those killed at Lexington.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/MemorialHill.jpg)
Flags over Punkatasset Hill.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC03957.jpg)
On the Right Line, we have our "Wall of Heroes"
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC03959.jpg)
Good Luck to everyone this week-end!
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04053.jpg)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04034.jpg)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04031.jpg)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC03968.jpg)
Outstanding job with the memorials and the great turnout!
Thanks to all for your hard work and dedication.
MJA
Another stellar event at Calverton. Saturday was colder than one might expect for April on Long Island, but it was certainly almost balmy compared to what I see the rest of the North East was up against. About 40 degrees, it was windy. It was real windy, but since we're down in a pit, it didn't really matter. We had to chase a few shooting mats and a rifle or two got flipped into the sand (to be addressed in a safety bulletin, coming soon), but mostly the wind just made the flags on the hill prettier.
We had 31 shooters on Saturday and divided the group into two lines. Dakota took the repeat Appleseeders to the Right Line and VietVet held it down with the new shooters on the Left. This seemed to be a good way to go, and I think it worked out pretty well. We may continue with this. Our new shooters were treated so well and felt so welcome that they brought out three new Riflemen by the end of the weekend.
I called the first Red Coat from the hill between the berms to keep a united front for the morning and we had a united first strike at lunch. Then the lines each took on their own momentum. For the Memorial Volley, it was back to the hill to call the names for both lines simultaneously. VietVet lent me a machete. Thrusting the blade into the sky with each name brought a visceral, abdominal tug to my vitals. I felt the importance of this recognition as never before. On that hill, a link between the shooters and the dead, I was stabbing the sky with a blade and summoning the names of the innocent. As this was happening all across the country, our little sandpit became one of the most important places on earth. Where was there anything happening more important, more relevant, more cool?
We tried something new this week-end. I had been to Massachusetts two weeks ago to attend my second Fred AIBC. I'm now gonna follow him like the Grateful Dead summer '87. I'm a Fredhead. Well, anyway - no, I'm not done with that joke yet - well, anyway... When Fred was at the NY AIBC in December, he suggested a different POI (plan of instruction) from what I had been trained to do three years ago. I liked it, but couldn't jibe with one thing, so I binned it. At Massachusetts, he had changed that one thing and all of a sudden it was like the celestial, orchestral "AAAAAAAAHHHH", and I GOT it. We tried this new POI which is simpler, but makes the squares targets last right up to lunch - unusual in the fast-talking North East. The feedback from Instructors was good, except for VietVet who couldn't make out my cryptic notes, especially since I had not even mentioned NPOA (Natural Point of Aim) in the official communique. We fixed that quickly and we have a new way of doing things around here.
Saturday night each of us all, individually or with the ones we love, or perhaps merely with the ones we were with, lay in the dark listening to the gods tear the roof off the world. When we got to the range, it was a mess. The target backers were wasted, but the flags still flew. The graves stood strong - most remarkable. It took about an hour to put things back together and we got started. Sunday was gorgeous. Sixty-five degrees and sunny, good breeze to keep the flags flying. As much as I love this weather, I recognize that this may have been the extent of our Southern New York State Spring, where we have three seasons (well at least in Brooklyn), dirty ugly bus exhaust filthy crusty snow bank winters, brutal ugly bus exhaust sweaty musky garbage street summers, and then the flannel-shirted fall which is long and lovely when compared to these two, sometimes lasting well into February, but spring is usually about six hours long. I'm just glad I spent it at Appleseed.
Big thanks to BBQ Chris for cooking (AGAIN!) Nice job calling the line on Sunday.
I have to say something about Calverton's Instructor Corps. On dinner Saturday night I looked around the table... A Shoot Boss and his girl who's taking the Blue, next to him a Red Hat that I'm convinced is destined to be among the best in the country, then a big guy who's ready for his Red Hat, across from him a Marine who's coming on strong toward his Red Hat and his Rifleman wife, at the other end of the table a local boy who's been with me since the beginning and is approaching his Red Hat, then we had two new IIT's that called the line and represented themselves very well. Two of our best new guys were absent, off in New Jersey having been called to assist, and fastfrank is too young to drive to Applebees. A couple of other guys and Heather couldn't make the dinner and some had other obligations for the week-end but will be back. Last year at this time, it was very different. We had to import help. Now, we're exporting it. We've got some real talent out here on Long Island. Too much talent, so watch out land-lubbers, we're coming to a shoot near you! Long Island is about to invade America. We will spread out across the North East and down the coast, we will cross the Delaware and fast-talk our way into the mid-west. Long Island Appleseed? no, that's not enough - LONG ISLAND AMERICA!!!
Well... If you read the last post, you can clearly see why the Calverton team is reaching down and giving all for this program. We're led by a prophetic statesman and poet...
Truly inspiring leadership from Dan, Rich and Mike...
At my very first shoot in October. I knew wanted to be part of this because I could clearly see that everyone there was pouring there heart into this thing that we do...
Ooh Rah!
Here are some Pics...
Holly and Mary, (having way too much fun) doing the Ball and Dummy drill.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_4KyEvCdDm0k/TatuUMlTL2I/AAAAAAAAI8Y/hvDSdYBvErQ/s800/IMG_1104.JPG)
Master of all he surveys... and a raspberry danish.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_4KyEvCdDm0k/TatuUi1-t-I/AAAAAAAAI8c/pp125slvxKc/s800/IMG_1108.JPG)
Interesting perspective, is that the ghost of Isaak Davis on the hill? (no photographers were injured in the making of this film, remote controlled camera)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_4KyEvCdDm0k/TatuWtOHFOI/AAAAAAAAI80/J_mATpIUFDk/s800/April%20Anniversary%20Appleseed%202011%20025.JPG)
Shoot Boss Rich, telling the story of the "First strike of the match".
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_4KyEvCdDm0k/TatuVBkuA6I/AAAAAAAAI8k/BPDSEXqDYTc/s800/April%20Anniversary%20Appleseed%202011%20002.JPG)
Was a great weekend, could not have had a better group of shooters!
CH
teehee - CharlieHotel posted while I was trying to get my photos up. Love the RC DSLR - it's like we're on an episode of "American Shooter" - don't try this at home. I guess Holly didn't garotte you in your sleep last night. Biding her time... I got some room on the couch if you wanna let her cool out for a minute.
It took forever to load up on Photubucket, but here's more proof we were there...
I don't have the rifleman photos. Anyone... anyone...
Free2Scour getting his Orange Hat from Dakota. He qualified in March, and worked all week-end.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04092.jpg)
Have you seen me?
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04088.jpg)
Sunnyam - cheerful, charming, graceful and elegant, but not at all ready to smash the camera into kDan's eyeball.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04121.jpg)
riDONKulous
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(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04106.jpg)
finally, somebody is doing the paperwork at Calverton...
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04076.jpg)
Dan, what are you doing? Cryin out loud, get up...
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04069.jpg)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04056.jpg)
Janine won some goodies
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04115.jpg)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04111.jpg)
the crossover rifle "kaboom"
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04110.jpg)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04107.jpg)
New shooter... Rifleman
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04105.jpg)
Is that a triple-breasted red snorkler or a RICO-JAY!!!? zoop-fft (the call of the rico-jay)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04096.jpg)
Get those legs up!
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04085.jpg)
Ben (on the right, with his cousin) is reporting for duty in October. He'll be able to shoot better than everybody else there.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04009.jpg)
ball and leopard print
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC03999.jpg)
A rare, long-distance shot of the North American Shoot Boss in his native habitat. Notice the aggressive posture and confused, angry look in the eye. Beware.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC03982.jpg)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC03970.jpg)
Husband and wife, Marines both, Riflemen each. He dumped a bottle of water on her head. RIP Charlie Hotel. Holly, we have an Orange Hat available - a new spot just opened up if you're interested.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/DSC04114.jpg)
As stated by kDan and Charlie Hotel this truly was a GREAT WEEKEND!
Everything went very well.
The weather was excellent for Calverton. We usually suffer some nasty weather conditions, not this time.
Congrats to our new Rifleman, Steve 219 & 220, Holly 210 and Tracy 214.
Congrats to all the Shooters.
They as usual couldn't be stopped.
AQT, AQT, AQT....was the chant this weekend.
The "Calverton Crew" has truly grown to become an Appleseed Family.
Dan was correct when he mentioned I couldn't figure out his POI.
He does have his very own method, but the real problem was that when I received it there was some Entenmann's Raspberry Cheese Swirl smeared all over it.
I will forward the photos I took to Dan so he can post them.
Oh ...that's another thing I still haven't figured out yet, Photobucket!
Thanks to all involved, Shooters and Instructors. Well Done!
kdan, looks like you took those pics from the Appleseed Helicopter!
L.I. Crew,
Nice Job. O0
Again Team Northeast comes thru.
The Tomb Stones - Very Nice Memorial. good job to who ever thought of this. :bow:
Nice pictures.
I forgot to post Sunday's numbers...
1 more than Saratoga.
O0
BTW... why didn't anybody tell me my gut was that big?! looks like the Beer I.V. is getting retired... :(
Quote from: CharlieHotel on April 18, 2011, 04:14:48 PM
BTW... why didn't anybody tell me my gut was that big?! looks like the Beer I.V. is getting retired... :(
Well, now that you brought it up......
"A rare, long-distance shot of the North American Shoot Boss in his native habitat. Notice the aggressive posture and confused, angry look in the eye. Beware". That's what I really was looking at.
Quote from: VietVet on April 18, 2011, 11:04:25 AM
As stated by kDan and Charlie Hotel this truly was a GREAT WEEKEND!
Everything went very well.
We usually suffer some nasty weather conditions, not this time.
Don't be upset over the fair weather at Calverton, it seems like the shoots upstate had plenty of good range weather to make up for what Calverton was missing.
Good to see Calverton with another strong showing. Good job to both shooters and instructors. Looks like you are quickly turning the island into an island of Riflemen.
HUZZAH
Do I or Did I Really see "T" Shirts, at an Appleseed in NY,,, sorry you guys had it so rough,,,, But anyways Nice Job Everyone,,, I will be down there at least once or twice this year,,,, Calverton is a place that I like,,,,, maybe we can shoot in a hurricane or something,,,,
Again Great Job
sgtrock
I felt like I was there even though I 1) have never been to New York, and 2) was at work all weekend.
Thank You KDan for sharing the Volley for Liberty with me. It meant more than you can ever know.
SS
Trying to post pics
Hope photobucket responds
If not Dan will post
Haiku's again?
Too late for me for that.
Great time again, next year for Patriot's Day I'm finding a Brown Bess! O0
Do I get extra time on the AQT for a musket?
Bravo Juliet Mike
He worked with three new shooters
Made a Rifleman
(see below)
The memorial graves were VietVet's idea and he did it all himself. It was a nice surprise for all of us.
Savageshootr - I'm glad to hear that made you smile. I texted Cease Fire to a few of my friends around the country. You better believe you're on that list.
Dakota - We'll give you the length of my First Strike to fire an AQT with a musket. Just keep the noise down.
Charlie - Is it the beer I.V., or the fourteen pound calzones? Trade the calzone for an Entenmann's.
Sgtrock - we wear t-shirts at Calverton year round. It's the passion, the hot brass landing and ricochets that keep us warm. Hardcore.
Vernic82, the Appleseed Helicopter awaits your presence. What say thee, Shoot Boss end of May? Seriously.
VietVet sent me some pix. Here are the Riflemen. Where's the group photo? The one up top is just the short line. The full group has way more shooters. Certainly more than any other event in the state, like for instance say... Saratoga?
Tracy, a brand new shooter, gets her patch. Congratulations!
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1867.jpg)
Congratulations Steve!
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1822.jpg)
Holly gets water dumped on her head. Why did you do that, Charlie?
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1865.jpg)
Holly and her patch. Congrats!
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1866.jpg)
Youth patches
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1852.jpg)
Brian wins a nerf gun. Rich was inconsolable.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1848.jpg)
George wins a knife to go with the Rifleman patch he earned last month.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1805.jpg)
Steve also won a prize to go with his new patch
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1804.jpg)
I believe this falls under the heading of "Shoot Boss Discretion"
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/IMG_1776.jpg)
"Charlie - Is it the beer I.V., or the fourteen pound calzones? Trade the calzone for an Entenmann's."
I'm not eating anything but pine-cones and acorns at the RBC... Well, maybe one fourteen pound calzone and of course SGTRock's lifer juice...
CH
..Long Island is The Strong Island.. :---
..Great Job, Keeping The Faith.......I miss LI, but I am out seeding NJ.. see you all soon.....
..Strength & Honor..............Josey Wales...................................
This was the first Appleseed that I attended. Figured I had to see where Rich has been escaping off to every month. I understand now, because I'll be escaping with him now wearing my Blue Hat.
Although I only watched from the sidelines this time, it has piqued my interest, so you may get me on the firing line yet!
I must say I was totally impressed with the way the entire event ran. Also enjoyed the feel of community and unity. Everyone from the Instructors to the Shooters were wonderful.
Awesome job 'Team Calverton'!
Ann
So glad to hear that you are On The Range,,, You guys run a Great Seed on the Island,,, Maybe that Ladyseed coming up is on your schedule,,, I heard that there is a spot for you on the line,, all reserved, and Rich I am sure will keep you fed well with ammo,,,, Just tell him,,,,,I NEED MORE AMMO SERGEANT!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~~:) :---
Take Care
sgtrock
Quote from: kDan on April 19, 2011, 08:51:56 AM
Vernic82, the Appleseed Helicopter awaits your presence. What say thee, Shoot Boss end of May? Seriously.
Jammed up the 3rd weekend of May at the 1st Ever Rhode Island Appleseed and then I'm at Chaplin the last weekend of May......How about the end of August?
Quote from: vernic82 on April 19, 2011, 10:41:56 PM
Quote from: kDan on April 19, 2011, 08:51:56 AM
Vernic82, the Appleseed Helicopter awaits your presence. What say thee, Shoot Boss end of May? Seriously.
Jammed up the 3rd weekend of May at the 1st Ever Rhode Island Appleseed and then I'm at Chaplin the last weekend of May......How about the end of August?
You want the end of August you take it! Start hydrating now my friend. I'll tell the world your story.
Maybe hear from VietVet first but far as I'm concerned sign up. Rich, whaddaya say? Let's go sunning in Labrador.
I'd be more than happy to share a Calverton August with a former Long Islander.
Weather in August at Calverton is great. :cool2:
It MAY be slightly warm so bring some sun tan lotion Fred.
Honestly it would be great to have you back on the Island for a Shoot. O0
looks like I may have spoke too soon as I'm signed up to SB Chaplin last week of August......
We'll find a date I'll invade LI!
Yes, thank you Ann. We need 100 people like you.
Vernic82, we'll keep the sand warm for you. I hope when you finally do make it down here that I'm around because I'd like to work with you again asap.
Quote from: CharlieHotel on April 19, 2011, 09:50:59 AM
"Charlie - Is it the beer I.V., or the fourteen pound calzones? Trade the calzone for an Entenmann's."
I'm not eating anything but pine-cones and acorns at the RBC...
[quote[Well, maybe one fourteen pound calzone and of course SGTRock's lifer juice...
[/quote] Not sure how I missed this one,,, ((((((((((Lifer Juice)))))))))))), I haven't heard that in quite sometime,,,, AAAAAHHHH the memories,, I am sure you will be pleasantly well caffeinated with a stop at B-Flats
Quote
Quote from: sgtrock on April 27, 2011, 11:00:52 PM
Quote from: CharlieHotel on April 19, 2011, 09:50:59 AM
"Charlie - Is it the beer I.V., or the fourteen pound calzones? Trade the calzone for an Entenmann's."
I'm not eating anything but pine-cones and acorns at the RBC...
[quote[Well, maybe one fourteen pound calzone and of course SGTRock's lifer juice...
Not sure how I missed this one,,, ((((((((((Lifer Juice)))))))))))), I haven't heard that in quite sometime,,,, AAAAAHHHH the memories,, I am sure you will be pleasantly well caffeinated with a stop at B-Flats
Quote
I have no doubt... you made us feel right at home at the IBC. Looking forward to the RBC and I won't be coerced into finishing another calzone in one sitting...
CH