When I told my fellow instructors about a month ago that we were closing the range here in Rising Fawn (we're moving early next year) they went all out to make this a special event. The instructors who had worked the most events here in the past signed up and we even had help from as far away as Illinois and Tampa, Florida. Now THAT was a surprise for the ole Shoot Boss.
Two weeks out we only had 8 shooters signed up but by Friday afternoon we were sold out and even had a couple of walk-ons with most shooters being previous Appleseeders with a good grasp of the fundamentals. This had the makings of an EPIC event and it turned out to be just that.
Brother instructors "Rusty" and "SureShotSpartan" did most of the organizing and against my objections they insisted I wear the green hat for the last shoot here. You would have thought I was dying instead of just moving nearby. ;D
Saturday morning started as it always does in the Tennessee Valley with the instructor breakfast at the most convenient facility, usually Waffle House, near the range. This time it was Huddle House. We need to find another place. :P
It was an appropriately cool October morning and the welcome and safety briefings were around a fire pit and we had rifles on the line by 8:45.
This was a very special weekend for one of our IIT's because it was time for young Mr. Joshua "Over Mountain Man" Tate to do his IPC. OM has been in the program for 1.5 years/17 events and the only reason he wasn't already a Red Hat was age. Being close enough to 16, one month, we got special permission from Fred and other senior cadre to allow a brief exception to the "got to be 16" rule to allow him to test for Red Hat a month early since this was the last 25 meter event scheduled in the area for a few months. To make a long story short, he was terrific carrying the load on every required block of instruction, including telling the Frist Strike, for the day.
We began with sighters and moved on to the standard DonD COF with few modifications through dinner (what Yankees call lunch) where "CokeGuy" told the Second Strike including some new material from the diary of Joseph Hosmer's wife and her accounts of the most important day in American history. The shot groups even early on Saturday were amazingly tight so we had a feeling it was going to be a great weekend at the Rifleman factory known as Project Appleseed.
After returning to the line, we spent extra time focusing on everyone's favorite positions, sitting and kneeling. (if you're comfortable you're probably not doing it right!). This would pay HUGE dividends when we started the AQT's.
After a hydration break and a moving 3rd Strike by SureShotSpartan, we shot the first AQT. Several shooters were knocking on the door but didn't get over the threshold.
The day ended with OM getting his much-deserved Red Hat with his entire family present. Oh, and did I mention he can shoot? He's KD qualified and he re-qualified at 25 meters in Manchester last month with a 246. If he shoots below 240 these days he takes his rifle apart because there must be some mechanical malfunction. He's going to be a fantastic instructor.
After the instructor meeting at the range when rifles were removed we adjourned for the instructor meal (everyone pays their own bill) with several shooters joining us, to the buffet at Larry's Restaurant in Trenton. You should have seen the reaction when nearly a dozen instructors, all in Appleseed red shirts, took over a big part of the dining room. One lady asked if we were a baseball team. Before leaving "SureShotSpartan" had 7th stepped most of our fellow diners. He's always selling! ^:)^
Sunday morning we got started with a review and some fine tuning even giving some of the "why you do this" which we don't ordinarily teach.
When we went back to shooting suddenly the AQT dam broke and the tide of enthusiasm swept along everyone in its path. Before the end of the day Sunday we had 5 new Riflemen (Brent 211, Amy 217, Randy 222, Daniel 212 and Ivan 229 and 219), 3 requals (Johnny Reb, Bowditch and Tellico), FOUR new Orange hats and a new Red Hat in the area. We actually ran out of Orange Hats to award. In addition to the new Riflemen, there were several shooters, like 12 year old Ethan C., who were one stage 4 hit away from qualifying. They'll be back.
Of all the rifleman scores last weekend the most special for the ole Ramblin' Wreck was Amy, InSaneMom, who had come all the way from Tampa Florida at her own expense just to be here for this last event. A year ago Amy, when she was living nearby in Huntsville, shot what we thought was a qualifying score and took an Orange Hat. When she got home after the event and looked at her score, she discovered there was a math error and that she had not in fact qualified. She immediately notified the Shoot Boss and gave back the Orange Hat. As Rusty said, that has to be the definition of integrity. Since that day she's kept coming back to every event she could make (a rifleman persists) trying to shoot a qualifying score. In July, her military family moved to Tampa and she had not had the opportunity to get back on the line until this weekend. I was humbled, and SHOCKED, when she showed up at the steak house Friday night where we were eating. I hope someone can post that picture of my reaction. Thank you Amy, you made the weekend extra special by coming back for this event. Amy did qualify (yes the math is correct this time) and immediately took her hat again. You folks in Florida really are lucky to have her in your program now. She is a jewel and a true patriot.
Every person who steps up and asks for an orange hat is special but there is one person I think deserves extra praise. Ivan A. whose family immigrated to this country from the Ukraine in 1999 to escape socialism, took a hat. Ivan's family for nearly 100 years had lived under tyrannical government, his grandfather even being sent to prison/gulag for "stealing from the state" (picking up 3 turnips that had fallen from a train passing through the area) to feed themselves. I can't wait to hear Ivan tell the 3 Strikes from the perspective of someone who has experienced so much tyranny first hand. Ivan tells me his forum name will reflect his heritage. Wait till you see it. ;)
Thanks again to all the shooters who came out and especially to my instructor band of brothers and sisters. Goose, Regulator, Overmountain Man, DAG, Tellico, KeepSmilinTexan, CokeGuy. But special thanks to Rusty and SureShotSpartan to doing all the heavy lifting and making it easy for the ole Wreck the last time at the home range.
See you on the line November 1-2 at the KD in Pelham. Hope you can make it.
Ramblin' Wreck
Come on now! You're making me tear up again! :'(
Thanks for the nice words, Ben. There was no where I'd rather have been that at Rising Fawn. And I have the proof that you were surprised when I walked into the restaurant...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/SafetyHunnie/RamblinWreckSurprise.jpg)
Like I said before I left... it means so much more to me to have scored Rifleman with you, Rusty, and SureShotSpartan at Rising Fawn. It wouldn't have been "right" to do it anywhere else.
It was a great weekend with so many successes... all the new Riflemen, Orange Hats, and new Red Hat... seeing friends I have missed and making new friends... best Appleseed weekend ever.
Rising Fawn has been a special venue for several years. Here are a few glimpses at her last day in the sun......
The Range Office open for the final time
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/a5736a617bcb7d4cdb58b7fdf7557401_zpsbc3ecfe4.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/a5736a617bcb7d4cdb58b7fdf7557401_zpsbc3ecfe4.jpg.html)
Mr. Gadsden greeted all who entered.
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/1612ca57e1620a08d318ca8df0d0e9d1_zps35527418.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/1612ca57e1620a08d318ca8df0d0e9d1_zps35527418.jpg.html)
Full parking lot means...
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/951a5e573dc14c529c9644211afbff3a_zps84015b71.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/951a5e573dc14c529c9644211afbff3a_zps84015b71.jpg.html)
a full line!!
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/15e72f74c26ad5621ff1889575fd99b8_zpse97e75df.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/15e72f74c26ad5621ff1889575fd99b8_zpse97e75df.jpg.html)
OM telling the First Strike
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/353506cb64a889118830b7a52fc31c90_zps8be62f58.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/353506cb64a889118830b7a52fc31c90_zps8be62f58.jpg.html)
OM teaching the Six Steps
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/622ba33326b03ad4a253ff8622a19bf7_zpsea6646e6.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/622ba33326b03ad4a253ff8622a19bf7_zpsea6646e6.jpg.html)
My nephew, Braxton, was having entirely too much fun
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/277637b826990f74243d57b9428cdeff_zps8c925f98.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/277637b826990f74243d57b9428cdeff_zps8c925f98.jpg.html)
OM teaching the seated/kneeling positions
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/0f6384b02a9a479e2229860bfc2943c0_zpsd0563048.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/0f6384b02a9a479e2229860bfc2943c0_zpsd0563048.jpg.html)
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/edfe4a02cf545deeed9b1a97a13695b5_zps3d31090c.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/edfe4a02cf545deeed9b1a97a13695b5_zps3d31090c.jpg.html)
OM awaiting his new hat
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/12f051e761900e875ef2b286848a24e8_zps70156d5b.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/12f051e761900e875ef2b286848a24e8_zps70156d5b.jpg.html)
The time has come!
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/e9838029cf03f0ef224fe4149db1faa4_zps2f2a6f5f.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/e9838029cf03f0ef224fe4149db1faa4_zps2f2a6f5f.jpg.html)
OM's dad, Regulator, "hats" his oldest son!
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/30b6922701a6294464029386d67462e1_zps54906874.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/30b6922701a6294464029386d67462e1_zps54906874.jpg.html)
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/c350c3090e104a5fcc832470e424aa0d_zpse51c1f96.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/c350c3090e104a5fcc832470e424aa0d_zpse51c1f96.jpg.html)
more to follow.....
Future Instructors
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/3a28c82f2db2408797f15e7f84ce43d3_zps011d461b.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/3a28c82f2db2408797f15e7f84ce43d3_zps011d461b.jpg.html)
Daniel helping Wreck with the Sunday morning review
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/962509de31b353370bf172d7f99a412a_zps9faf480e.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/962509de31b353370bf172d7f99a412a_zps9faf480e.jpg.html)
Rifleman Ivan "COSSACK"
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/e7997f7b011d6fe30676a9f6a15d3136_zps7640cf30.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/e7997f7b011d6fe30676a9f6a15d3136_zps7640cf30.jpg.html)
Rifleman Amy "inSANEmom"
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/56c7737ea498d2b60fd4f0949cdf9d6a_zpsc6537b0c.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/56c7737ea498d2b60fd4f0949cdf9d6a_zpsc6537b0c.jpg.html)
Rifleman Brent
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/f11e11a8072cdce54f71493f257cc221_zpsc23e9b40.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/f11e11a8072cdce54f71493f257cc221_zpsc23e9b40.jpg.html)
Saying goodbye is never easy......I'll miss this ole girl!
(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a484/nhurst0512/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/bd5827a7dda7bd9a149b69ef64e0f46e_zps22fe610b.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/nhurst0512/media/Rising%20Fawn%20Oct%202014/bd5827a7dda7bd9a149b69ef64e0f46e_zps22fe610b.jpg.html)
Way to go Amy! ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^
I didn't realize that you were moving Ben and that this year was the last for Appleseed at Rising Fawn.
I'm glad I was able to make it down from Tennessee to help out at a shoot there at least once.
Congratulations to Amy and all the other new riflemen, red hats and orange hats!
(http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t633/Marty_Tate/as_zps7b3e5c50.jpg)
Absolutely EPIC! This is where our Appleseed journey started two years ago, and its fitting that Joshua was able to receive his Red Hat from Ben here on the last event at Rising Fawn.
Congratulations to all the new Riflemen and "Welcome Aboard" to the new Orange Hats (especially Amy)! ^:)^ There's plenty of work to do, so start bailing! ~~:)
I hope to see all of you on the line again soon!
It is a great honor to stand next to all of you and be excepted and treated as a friend, as an equal. Means a lot to me. Hope my bucket will be big enough. ^:)^ ^:)^
SureShot Spartan presenting Overmountain Man with a flogger. "The floggings will continue until marksmanship improves." Men who know very much what they are about.
(http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t633/Marty_Tate/Rising%20Fawn%2010-25-14/IMG_2816_zps6c7159b8.jpg)
(http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t633/Marty_Tate/Rising%20Fawn%2010-25-14/IMG_2815_zpsee873368.jpg)
(http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t633/Marty_Tate/Rising%20Fawn%2010-25-14/IMG_2812_zps70d26bd7.jpg)
My favorite picture we've ever had made.
Quote from: Regulator on October 29, 2014, 12:04:49 AM
(http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t633/Marty_Tate/as_zps7b3e5c50.jpg)
OMG! Ben I didn't know you were moving. If I had known this was the last Appleseed to be hosted at your place I would have found someway to make it. I had to work Saturday but I would have come for Sunday only just to be a part of this special weekend. :'(
I'm proud of Josh for his Red Hat and Amy for scoring Riflemanwoman. I know you both worked very hard for it. ^:)^
I enjoyed the pics and I will miss On Target at Rising Fawn. I have alot of great memories there.
I hope to see everyone again soon.
In Liberty,
AR-Mike