This was a great day at Waco GA! The West GA Youth Range was filled elbow to elbow with 26 shooters eager to pursue the high calling of rifle marksmanship. These fine Americans were also treated to the true events of April 19, 1775 as told by some of the finest of the Appleseed Cadre that Georgia has to offer.
The weather forecast was not entirely favorable to shooting without a shelter nearby, as is the setting at this range. However, that did not stop any of our pre-registered shooters and seven walk-ons from showing up! What a boost for my moral to start off the dreary morning! I knew then that we had a special group of liberty-loving Americans assembled before us and I certainly wasn't disappointed that such was the case.
After our intros and mandatory safety briefing we dove in to our first target of the day, the "Hits Counts" target, or Red Coat. Of the 25 shooters to engage this target, 15 of them showed us what they were about by making three hits on at least the 100y target. Huzza! One young Patriot even cleared his target!! :bow: What a great start! We then dove into the Steady Hold Factors in the prone position, the Six Steps of Firing the Shot and NPOA.
At lunch we heard the 1st Strike of the Match in fine fashion from Fabricator. Oldfudd then brought out his Brown Bess and treated everyone to a demonstration of what our Founders likely faced that morning of April 19, 1775. Franklinfarmer then closed out our lunch break with a fine rendition of the 2nd Strike of the Match. After IMC and practicing the various seated positions and the standing position we jumped right into our first AQT and then it was time for the April 19 Memorial Volley. It was a bit sobering to hear 25 rifles firing in unison as each name was called out. We do indeed owe our Founders a debt of gratitude, a debt that we can never repay.
We then heard Snipes present the 3rd Strike of the Match, emphasizing the fact that some gave all that day for YOUR liberty. Well done, sir! The day was running short but the shooters seemed eager to engage another special Red Coat AQT, so I chose to forgo the afternoon Redcoat in favor of the AQT; and I am glad that I did! Turns out, that is just what Jim K. needed to turn out a 212 and earn his Rifleman Patch!! Huzza!!
Also, this AQT produced a re-qualifing score that deserves extra attention. Anna M., already an Orange Hat instructor but spending the day on the line honing her skills, scored a 216! A 216? What is so special about a 216 you may ask? Well, she achieved that score by using a bolt action, single-shot rifle! She does indeed know very well what she is about! :bow:
Thank you so much to all of the shooters who gave of their time this Easter weekend. It is heart warming indeed to see so many in attendance on such a weekend with any number of excuses that could have pulled them away. Thank you.
Thank you also to the Instructors who were there. Because we had such a huge number who volunteered their time and talents this day, it made it possible to engage each shooter with some valuable one-on-one instruction and kept the day running smoothly, which also allowed us the luxury of two AQTs! Thank you.
Please post your comments and pictures about this shoot for all to see. It was a special day and that is what keeps bringing this Instructor back to Appleseed, over and over. Remember to Dry Fire, Dry Fire, Dry Fire!! and we hope to see everyone again soon at another Appleseed.
May Liberty Increase!
Morpheus
Anna M., already an Orange Hat instructor but spending the day on the line honing her skills, scored a 216! A 216? What is so special about a 216 you may ask? Well, she achieved that score by using a bolt action, single-shot rifle! She does indeed know very well what she is about! HUZZAH!
"We may destroy all the men in America, and we shall still have all we can do to defeat the women." Lord Cornwallis
What a very special day for Appleseed and for America, 26 very eager and patriotic Americans, and so many very dedicated and enthusiastic instructors. Wonderful energy, very special rendition of each of the Three Strikes, respectful commemoration of the high price paid to secure our country's Liberty...in short, a Patriots' Day event worthy long to remember. Huzza, all!!
The morning dawned a little wetter than some would have wished, but it did not daunt a large group of patriots from showing up to the always hospitable West GA Youth Range.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1734.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1734.jpg.html)
The shooters were very attentive to Morpheus giving his morning speech.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1736.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1736.jpg.html)
Then they were greeted with a formidable company of Redcoats to contend with...
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1737.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1737.jpg.html)
Deal with them though they did!
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1738.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1738.jpg.html)
Then it was time for prone position and some square work! :---
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1740.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1740.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1742.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1742.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1743.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1743.jpg.html)
Fabricator captivating everyone with his First Stike
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1745.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1745.jpg.html)
Not to be out done, Oldfudd offered up a great Brown Bess demonstration
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1746.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1746.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1747.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1747.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1748.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1748.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1751.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1751.jpg.html)
franklinfarmer gave a stirring 2nd Strike and then it was time for more instruction and marksmanship.
Fabricator and Warp are shown below instructing the seated positions.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1752.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1752.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1753.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1753.jpg.html)
Seabright and DrJohn are shown instructing the Standing position.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1754.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1754.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1755.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1755.jpg.html)
Soon, it was time for the Liberty Volley.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1758.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1758.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1759.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1759.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1760.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1760.jpg.html)
This was just one of the the moments that day that really touched my heart. Here is Fabricator exercising his RSO duties and tutoring his son in the ways...
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1761.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1761.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1762.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1762.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/Fabricatorandson.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/Fabricatorandson.jpg.html)
We had quite a few young patriots receive the Luther Blanchard patch
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1767.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1767.jpg.html)
Jim showed that he was a man who knew very well what he was about...
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1771.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/AS%20Waco%20GA%20Patriots%20Day%204%2019%2014%20%20one%20day%20event/IMG_1771.jpg.html)
To all the other shooters, I know all of you have what it takes to make Rifelman. So many of you were right on the cusp. Persist and Dry-fire! I hope to see you all on the trail! Huzzah!