Good evening Mr and Mrs America, and all the ships at sea!
This Patriots' Day weekend 7 intrepid souls converged upon the El Paso Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy range for 2 days of History, Marksmanship, and Liberty.
We had 3 brand new students; Liz, Jaycee, and Quinlan, and 4 repeat offenders; Mike, Amanda, Barry, and Axel.
There was fun, and challenges, and camaraderie. There were solemn faces during the telling of the strikes. There was participation and smart questions during points of instruction. These folks were there to LEARN, not just to sling lead.
Liz came out of the gate at full speed, clearing the very first Redcoat of the weekend!
All weekend long the students watched and practiced; positions, NPOA, dry fire drills of the Six Steps, all while keeping light spirits and forging friendships.
Sunday afternoon we participated in the nationwide coordinated Memorial Volley. The mood was somber and contemplative as they listened the to colonists' account of the Bloody Butchery by the British Troops, shot the volley in cadence with our Line Boss Jerry Hall, and accepted their Patriot's Day patches from their somewhat emotional Shoot Boss.
Significant progress was made by all, with 30 points improvement or better on AQT scores nearly across the board. The biggest jump of the day came from Jaycee, who managed a 59 point increase from lowest to highest score.
Both Liz and Mike broke 200, and Amanda and Barry were not far behind them.
Our two youngsters, 11 year olds Axel and Quinlan, both strove to learn the basics and perform them consistently. It was Quin's first event, and unfortunately he was unable to make it back to us on Sunday. Axel has been with us before, but that was two years ago and he shot everything from prone that event. This time around he worked diligently to learn all of the firing positions and do the transitions. Both boys were troopers!!
My humblest gratitude to my cadre members, Jerry Hall, Shue, and acpjunkie, for their hard work and patience as we worked within some unusual time constraints and unusual circumstances. Gentlemen, it was my honor.
Pics coming soon, everyone.
Happy Patriots' Day! Huzzah!
In Liberty,
Mrs. Smith
A few photos from this weekend.
:snipersmi
:F
That's a happy guy right there ;)
Our "Most Improved," Jaycee!
Our Rifleman-to-be, Axel!
The very best part of ANY Appleseed event? Always the people! :1luvu
My crew, without whom I couldn't do ANYTHING. All of them requalified Rifleman on this very special weekend, earning very special, full color Rifleman patches. Huzzah!
Shue, Jerry, and acpjunkie
As a bonus, I had the honor of presenting my friend and mentor, Mr. Jerry Hall, with a 50 shoot pin. This weekend actually marked his 66th shoot in just under 11 years. 66 weekends of his life devoted to the cause of liberty with Project Appleseed. :beer: :partytime: :F
The El Paso crew puts up some of the best events in the country! It's great to see all the creative ways you've found to recognize your shooters and make your events even more special. I know I copy so many good ideas from you!
Congrats to your shooters and of course, congrats to the "Godfather" on his dedication of over an entire years worth of weekends to the cause of liberty!! Well done Sir, you've definitely been a mentor to many of us in the SW!
Thanks, Rob! :)
Huzzah! O0
Great job TX crew!
:F
"As a bonus, I had the honor of presenting my friend and mentor, Mr. Jerry Hall, with a 50 shoot pin. This weekend actually marked his 66th shoot in just under 11 years. 66 weekends of his life devoted to the cause of liberty with Project Appleseed." :beer: :partytime: :F
Thank you Traci, I am honored! And I am most honored by those who have, through the El Paso Cadre gone on to carry the honorable message of Project Appleseed to the rest of the world...
:F :bow: :F :snipersmi
Jerry