After every Appleseed I wonder how such a simple idea came to catch on so well. I also wonder why I feel so fulfilled by my participation in each one. This event was another great event with wonderfully enthusiastic students, a superb group of instructors, and a host range which went out of their way to ensure our success. I am grateful to all of you.
Saturday began with eager shooters ready to learn marksmanship and willing to put up with what promised to be a very hot day. From young Chris at 11 to our more senior instructors at age *mumble*, we had a group that just seemed to work well together. We had some familiar faces in the group hoping that this would be the time that it all clicked and a Rifleman patch would be theirs. Shane shot his first rifle on July 3rd at the Florida Appleseed picnic in Myakka City and was coming to his first Appleseed ready to really learn what this rifle shooting thing was all about. Up and down the line we had folks who were ready for the message of Appleseed so off we went. After the first Redcoat target, I was pleased that, while we clearly had some improvements that were needed, all in all it wasn't that bad. Previous Appleseeding experience clearly showed but we didn't have any that cleaned the target. Once the initial evaluation was out of the way, we launched into an extended session which covered sling usage, a solid prone position, the six steps, and finally natural point of aim. While I was concerned this might be "too much, too soon", our shooters seemed to grasp the information and each group thereafter steadily improved. Having presented a lot of teaching up front allowed our instructors to correct everything as they went from shooter to shooter. We had a good ratio of experienced instructors to students, which gave the opportunity for personalized attention. By lunchtime, the heat index was well over 100 degrees and everyone was ready for an extended break. Volunteers from Flagler Gun Club had fired up their grill and the smell of burgers and hot dogs cooking had everyone ravenous. As we had lunch 9mm4545 presented the First Strike in the story of April 19th, 1775. Despite full bellies and the oppressive heat, everyone was awake and engaged in that incredible and inspiring tale. With a new sense of purpose, everyone was back on the line for Rifleman calisthenics. Standing, sitting, and the transitions were taught and practiced and our shooters just kept hanging in there. By the middle of the afternoon however, we started seeing the brutal heat taking its toll in both the students and instructors. Even with every other instruction being "hydrate!", folks were beginning to flag. A well deserved break afforded us a chance to retreat to the somewhat cooler covered pavilion (with ceiling fans!) where we heard the Second Strike presented by Theri. Our shooting resumed but it was clear that ever more frequent breaks were going to be needed if anyone was to survive so after a couple of stages of the AQT, we insisted on a mandatory fluids session while DrJohn's Third Strike brought April 19th to its conclusion. By the end of day one, we had several shooters who were very close to scoring Rifleman. All shooters were greatly improved.
Sunday was even hotter than Saturday, if that is possible. The heat and the swarms of tiny gnats were trying but just about everyone was game to give it another go. This was a hardy lot with some true grit! But the heat, humidity, and bugs started wearing people down and the numbers starting dwindling as the day wore on. Endurance started replacing enthusiasm but our people were determined and persistent and the AQT grind ground on. The mark of a Rifleman is persistence and determination and Frank showed both in spades, becoming a Rifleman with an exact 210. Per Appleseed tradition, he was doused in water from Concord's North Bridge. Well, we didn't have any water from the North Bridge so we substituted a bottle of ice cold drinking water instead. I believe all it did was dilute some of the salt as he was pretty wet from sweat already. Congratulations for hanging in there and earning your Rifleman badge just in time for your birthday! I do believe that we might have an Orange Hat that will fit you...
Congratulations are also in order for Terry (aka: Theri) who passed his Instructor PC with flying colors and was promoted to a full Instructor status. That Red Hat looks good on you, Terry! You cannot know how much your hard work is appreciated.
As I was finishing up Sunday night, I found a Stanley staple gun and a olive green Columbia hat. If these are yours, please PM me and I'll find a way to get them to you.
What a great weekend to be had by all, thanks to all our 13 shooters on Saturday and the hardy souls on Sunday, all 8 of you who braved the incredible heat, it was great to see all the improvement also...hoping to see all of you again in the near future.....Brown Bess.......
It was a rare honor to be able to work with such a dedicated group of students. Despite the brutally hot conditions and the almost infinite amount of pesky gnats, not a word of complaint was heard all weekend from our determined and resolute group of students. The instructors were in awe of such tenacity and persistence, and we so appreciated the willingness of our students to empty their cups of previous knowledge and employ the Appleseed techniques of rifle marksmanship. Our shooters were an inspiration to all of us.
It is hoped that central Florida will be able to develop its own cadre of Appleseed instructors who will be able to carry the message of rifle marksmanship and Liberty to their fellow Americans. The shooters we had the honor to work with are the nucleus of what will become a very strong Appleseed program in that part of the state. Given the caliber of the people we saw in Bunnell during the July 13-14 weekend, Florida is in good hands.
I have to say that this was most definitely the most exciting, and the most fun I have had in my short time here on this earth. Thank you to all of the Instructiors, and Instructors in Training for teaching up the proper ways of the Rifleman. Congrats to Terry for becoming a red hat, and Frank for getting that coveted patch! I can't wait for the next Appleseed, and I hope that I'll end up like Frank and get Rifleman at my second one! I hope to see you all real soon.
Shane
WOW! What a weekend. Hot and wet! The 3 of Us, Shane, Frank, and I All ready to Hit the Appleseed Trail by winning that Beautiful Rifleman's Patch. Alas that was not to be for Two of Us, Frank You did Very Good with a 210, Water as cool as that of April 19 1775 poured over Your head, and down Your back.
Thank You Appleseed Instructors, Rambo Granny, Bruce 9mm4545, Brown Bess, Dr John, Theri(New Red Hat), and Glenn. Even in that Hot Humid mess You all kept Your Cool and Taught the Appleseed Message to one and All! Huzzah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now that I have broken 200 twice, I feel that Rifleman is in My near Future. to Quote Bruce"Perfect Practice, Perfect Practice" will win the coveted prize! A Rifleman's Patch!
I foresee a lot of standing and Prone Practice in My future!