The Patriot's Day event in Huntsville, AL was blessed with plenty of sunshine and perfect spring temperatures despite rain in the forecast all week. We were also blessed with 13 enthusiastic shooters that were ready to listen to instruction and put it into practice. As always, we are grateful to Hobbs Island Shooting Range and its owner, Don Eiermann, for supporting Appleseed!
We started Saturday morning in the classroom where Palousie recounted the events of the First Strike, then we had our safety briefing and headed to the range. The morning Red Coat target showed some room for improvement so we set off on our instruction and built the skills needed. Leadslinger66 told the second strike at lunch and AH1Tom wrapped up with the third strike in the afternoon.
Our first Rifleman score came on Saturday afternoon when Kennedy showed, once again, that he knows very well what he is about with a 230! Way to go Kennedy! ^:)^
We started Sunday morning with a brief review of Saturday's instruction led by visiting Master Instructor dond, who shared the finer points of Rifleman success that he has gathered over many years in Appleseed. Once we started shooting AQTs we found 6 more Riflemen! ^:)^ ^:)^
Congratulations to Kennedy, Philip, Scott, Tom, John, and Will on requalifying.
Special congratulations to Kayla on scoring Rifleman at her first Appleseed and as a brand new shooter!
All the other shooters on the line made great progress over the weekend. Remember -- A Rifleman persists! We hope to see you on the firing line again soon.
A couple of other things are worth noting
- ARMike, an instructor that was very encouraging during my first days as a shooter, came and brought his grandson to his first Appleseed. HUZZAH!!
- Two people stepped up and asked for Orange Hats! HUZZAH!!
- It seems like there was something else... wait, it will come to me ... oh yeah. Will showed up and shot a 250! :~ :~
Way to go Will! Even though you tried to be incognito as a shooter this weekend, we caught on to you pretty quickly when your gear was all squared away, you were prepared going to the firing line, and, the final giveaway, your forum name was written on your gear box. ;D
It turns out that Will (Willociraptor) is an instructor from FL that recently relocated to AL. Their loss is our gain. We are thrilled to have you in our cadre!
For the Memorial Volley we were joined by several additional shooters that the range owner, Don Eiermann, had personally invited for the special ceremony. AH1Tom did an outstanding job as line boss and managing the extra long line.
Thanks to everyone that came out to share history, marksmanship, and the special commemoration of Patriot's Day with us. We look forward to seeing you on the line again soon!
Here are a few pics:
Group photo!
(https://i.imgur.com/nbnr9JF.jpg)
Kennedy earning his Rifleman patch!
(https://i.imgur.com/5Igto1o.jpg)
Scott earning his Rifleman patch!
(https://i.imgur.com/0Ca6SvD.jpg)
Philip earning his Rifleman patch!
(https://i.imgur.com/8UAAQUq.jpg)
Major Tom earning his Rifleman patch!
(https://i.imgur.com/AVNfazB.jpg)
Willociraptor earning his Rifleman patch!
(https://i.imgur.com/qayVC7R.jpg)
Leadslinger66 earning his Rifleman patch!
(https://i.imgur.com/HFmwTI2.jpg)
Willociraptor following up with a perfect 250!
(https://i.imgur.com/YigITN4.jpg)
Scott asking for an Orange Hat!
(https://i.imgur.com/6J9Lg5r.jpg)
Kayla earning her Rifleman patch!
(https://i.imgur.com/ZGCVahQ.jpg)
And then asking for an Orange Hat! (She did a great job as Line Boss that afternoon, too!
(https://i.imgur.com/byC2SuR.jpg)
Bentley happy with his first target!
(https://i.imgur.com/n6y7jg8.jpg)
Master Instructors Maximum Ordinate and dond
(https://i.imgur.com/Bu19bv4.jpg)
Registration.
(https://i.imgur.com/AqiKoaM.jpg)
Shooters on the line.
(https://i.imgur.com/pd9HGXU.jpg)
It was a fantastic event! Thanks to all of Shooters! So, 13 Shooters, 13 Colonies...... coincidence? I think not!
It was a great event indeed!! Congrats to all those in attendance and especially to those that took Orange hats. Great improvement was made by all, and to those that didn't quite reach your goal, remember, a Rifleman persists!!
This was my first rifle event in seven years, thanks for the warm welcome back and for making room on the line on Sunday for my reqaul. It was awesome to be surrounded by so many great Patriots on a beautiful Patriot's Day weekend!!
For those that may not know, a video of the memorial volley was taken and posted to youtube. You can find it here: https://youtu.be/XMk2RW_dAXg
Holly,
Thank you!
Yes, Holly, Thank You!!
Quote from: Mixed Metaphor on April 22, 2021, 12:51:30 PM
Holly,
Thank you!
Quote from: Palousie on April 22, 2021, 12:49:15 PM
For those that may not know, a video of the memorial volley was taken and posted to youtube. You can find it here: https://youtu.be/XMk2RW_dAXg
I had a blast (no pun intended). All of the shooters did an awesome job. Congratulations to all on the qualifications, requalifications, and overall improvement in scores. Also, congratulations to the new volunteers. Welcome aboard! Thanks to the Alabama cadre and shooters for having me. I'll be back!
We had such a great time! Thank you all for a fun, inspiring and safe weekend! :F
Thank you, Holly. That was very thoughtful of you.
Congratulations to all the Riflemen and Riflewoman both brand new and requalifying!! Special congratulations and thanks to Scott and Kayla for stepping up and accepting an Orange hat. I hope to see you both on the trail.
Thank you for an amazing weekend!! I feel pretty darn lucky to be part of such a great organization and group of people. I can't wait to keep learning more!! :)
-Kayla
Welcome aboard Kayla! You will be an awesome instructor. It was nice to meet you. I love the forum name too!
Quote from: Morticia on April 24, 2021, 09:51:13 PM
Thank you for an amazing weekend!! I feel pretty darn lucky to be part of such a great organization and group of people. I can't wait to keep learning more!! :)
-Kayla
Glad to have you! We'll have to get you on the line in TN sometime this summer! Shoot me an email or text anytime!