It was a crisp December weekend for Appleseed in Charlotte, NC on the 14th and 15th of December. Saturday started out wet and cold, but that didn't diminish turnout - 12 Shooters on the line to learn very much what they are about.
Saturday started out a little slowly, but we ramped up the pace progressing through the afternoon. The shooters responded well to the instruction and the history. Here is where I need to take a minute to really tip my hat to Adrian (cowtipper), who was completing his final requirements for his Red Hat (as well as telling the First and Third Strikes). His telling completely blew me away. You may even say I was awe-struck. Even after hearing and telling The Story time and time again over several years - his telling was like hearing it for the first time, with the same impact it had on me way back in 2012 at my very first Appleseed weekend. I even told him I was going to come and record him the next time to make my own tellings better. It is really that good. Very, very well done.
Though the weather remained really cool throughout the weekend, the Shooters stuck it out, applied the instruction and we had 4 new Rifleman by Sunday afternoon:
Scott Pacer - 210 (with some cold North Bridge water on a cold December day)
Hayden Poore - 212
Peter Silver - 224
Stewart Schlag - 240 (Distinguished)
All the Shooters did very well. Congratulations to the new Riflemen.
One other note - one of our Shooters had never shot a gun or handled a rifle prior to Saturday morning. She did amazing, and now has taken an interest in the shooting sports that her mother relayed to me will be something they do as a family going forward. This, to me, is why we do what we do. To teach our fellow Americans about our shared heritage, but also to ensure the next generation carries that forward into posterity such that these United States can remain a refuge for Liberty.
And finally, a shout out to all the instructors who worked the weekend. Congratulations to Adrian for earning that Red Hat!! Very well done, gentlemen.