What a great weekend! The weather may have been hot, at least for Michiganders, and the sun may have been beating down on us, but that did not stop this group. (Late on Saturday, the question was asked "Who wants to shoot another AQT!" All hands went up!)
The event started with the pledge and Mr. Surplus presenting the safety rules. Mr. Surplus must have done a good job as this group did not have a single safe rifle infraction all weekend. We then made our way to the 25 meter range and the fire hose of knowledge was opened up. We were doused with wisdom from Mr. Zeke. During lunch, Superheat presented the first strike of the match, a fascinating story that began several years before 1775 and concluded with the attack at Lexington Green on April 19, 1775.
We then went back to the fire hose for several more POI's (Points of Instruction) from Mr. Zeke followed by Pocket Watch presenting the 2nd Strike. Pocket Watch continued the story of April 19th 1775 from Lexington to the North Bridge in Concord. We were all moved by the story of the sacrifice of Captain Isaac Davis and his wife Hannah.
Mr. Zeke continued the POI's and he finished just in time for T.Wolf to join our event and present the Third Strike. We learned how marksmanship saved the day and how so many were ready to sacrifice and fight for liberty!
It was now time for an AQT! Gunpowder and the sun was heating up the rifles and the shooters. Despite the heat, these shooters were able to fit in two AQT's. Congratulations to Meriwether for earning a Rifleman Patch with a 210 and being "thoroughly" baptized in the cooling water of the North Bridge. Congratulations to Miranda for obtaining her Rifleman Patch during the second AQT with a score of 211, topping her sister by one point. (I am sure Meriwether would like it noted that she won the sister rivalry with a 220.)
The day concluded on a high note with Mr. Zeke receiving his Red Hat and becoming a full instructor. This shows that Mr. Zeke is committed to the cause of liberty and he made the sacrifice required to receive this honor. It was great that so many of his family member were able to be present for the promotion. As an added bonus, the shooters added ~200 holes to his now retired "Instructor in Training" orange hat.
Day two was an accelerated version of Saturday. Pocket Watch covered the safety briefing and POI's, the group of shooters continued to ask great questions, demonstrate top notch safety habits, and showed great patience while establishing NPOA. The morning Redcoats were a work of marksmanship! As the AQT's were completed, the scores gradually increased until the heat began to take its toll. Several shooters were getting closer to the coveted Rifleman Patch. Mike had been shooting accurately on Saturday but his Rifle was being "finicky". He kept up his spirits, persisted with a borrowed rifle, achieved an outstanding score of 232, and received a Rifleman patch!
The history continued as well with Mr. Zeke telling the story of 80 year old Massachusetts State Hero Samuel Whittemore taking on the whole British column. T. Wolf presented the story of David Lamson capturing supply wagons and little Mother Bathrick single handily capturing several British Grenadier prisoners. Superheat entertained us with stories of Joshua Simmons and Lydia Warren Spofford.
For a fun shoot, the students had the opportunity to ring steel out at 200 yards with a 1942 M1 Garand, a 5.56 AR15, and a 22. These students were easily hitting a 4 MOA (8") target at 200 yards with both the 556 and 22 rifles. The M1 Garand with open sights and a heavy barrel was a bit of a challenge on the 4 MOA target but these shooters had no trouble with the 8 MOA target. Does Appleseed instruction work? The sounds of the steel ringing confirms that it does. Great job to all the shooters! (How would you have liked to have marched across Europe carrying a M1 Garand?)
Mike and TJ won the second fun shoot with an impressive score of 26 hits on a picture of the greatest threat to liberty! TJ is working toward two patches, one for iron sights and one using a scope! His long distance shooting with the 22 was outstanding as he repeatedly hit steel over and over at 200 yards.
A big thank you to Megan for helping with the administrative duties on Sunday and greeting everyone with a smile and checking off the names on the paperwork. You are also turning into a sharpshooter with some very tight groups. I look forward to see you at many events in the future.
If anyone needs any IMC help, Angela is a math wiz! She is faster with MOA and clicks than the instructors! Keep working on finding comfortable positions and you can push those solid scores up a few more points to a patch!
Tom, you are demonstrating solid fundamentals and just needs to overcome "target anxiety" to reach that elusive 210. I have two words for you - dry fire, dry fire, dry fire! (Ok technically that is six words)
Sarah and Mila, I like watching the mother/daughter rivalry develop as your AQT scores and redcoats looked a lot alike! I should have counted which one had more hits on steel as you made 200 yard hits look easy. I see a rifleman patch at the next event for both of them. I hope Christopher is able to join you next time. I suggest you warn him to practice ahead of time to keep up with you two sharpshooters.
Thank you to all the shooters for demonstrating excellent safety habits, patience, persistence, and being great students. Thank you to the instructors that volunteered for this weekend; Mr. Surplus, Superheat, Mr Zeke, Pocket Watch, T. Wolf, and cameos from ITB, Mad Hatter and 6. Thanks you to Wendy for providing lunch both days. The subs, hotdogs, and snacks were awesome!
Lastly, the day ended on a high note when not one, but two stepped up and volunteered to help with Appleseed's' mission to preserve our liberty. Congratulations to Amy and Miranda for accepting a blue hat! I look forward to working with you on many future events! I know you will find this journey rewarding and you will make an impact on your posterity!
Please post pictures below!
Students tell us how we did as we love the feedback and check back occasionally as pictures are added!
Best regards,
Rangerat67
Not only is his description of the weekend spot on (Miranda narrating here) which makes you feel like you were there and no one was left out or lost on the hussle and paperwork. But Rangerat67 did an outstanding job organizing, and leading the event. Keeping everything running like a well oiled machine. And without his help, encouragement and guidance, I probably would still be working towards my rifleman badge. Not to discount the wonderful aid and guidance from the seasoned and other instructors, but Rangerat67 taught me in ways only a father can do.
I really do enjoy shooting and marksmanship. And I can do my small part to help others find the satisfaction of american history and their heritage through marksmanship.
Rangerat67 failed to mention he had the honor of getting his green hat this weekend too. Which was a privilege to be there for. :beer:
Not sure others would agree, but it might be a fun pop quiz , while magazines are being prepped to call on random participants and ask them what a safety rule or a step in making a safe rifle is.
Another idea to help with clean up is have a brass collection incentive. Such as a candy bar or small pack of ammo as a reward to the one who picks up the most. Though most of us are fine with the satisfaction that we are helping clean up afterwards and making less work for others
Once again Great Job Shooters!!!! All of you did excellent on the line! Not only in marksmanship but most importantly safety! I also second the thanks for lunches! it should be mentioned that Superheat was awarded his 100 shoot pin this weekend too. It was a hot weekend full of accomplishments and progress I was glad to have been there and to meet new faces and see familiar ones. Students, keep up the practice of what you learned and remember Rifleman persist. I cant wait to see you on the line again soon. Thank you to the 2 new blue hats for stepping up.
Man, it seems like all the really exciting stuff happened after I left on Saturday, and when I wasn't there on Sunday. I hope this was just a co-incidence and that I'm not being paranoid ;)
Kingston is always a great event and once again it did not disappoint!
Huge shout out to all the shooters for their strict adherence to all the Safety Rules. This was the fist shoot I have worked in ages where there was not one single safety issue on Saturday. You all made this a very easy event for us instructors and we truly appreciate that.
Congrats to all who shot their Rifleman scores, and a huge Huzzah to Amy and Miranda for stepping up and taking Blue hats. You have now joined what I consider to be one of the finest groups of people in the world and I hope to work with you some time soon.
Congrats to Mr Zeke on earning his Red Hat. It was great to watch you work, and an absolute joy to see my favorite sniper once again. I'm sorry I was not there to help "retire" your orange hat. It's one of the best rituals we have in Michigan.
I would love to have been there to see Rangerat get his Green Hat. I could tell early on that this was your destiny. I thoroughly enjoyed watching you work.
To all the shooters, I am sorry I could not be there all weekend but I consider the time I was on the line with you all the highlight of my weekend. It was a pleasure working with you and I hope to see you on the line again soon.
MrSurplus
Another great weekend and an incredible group of shooters! Even the high heat/humidity couldn't break their focus.
Angela, Tom, Mila, Sarah-you're each so close, I wish Appleseed lasted 3 days instead of 2. Rifleman persist, and I know you will.
Between events consitent dry-fire by the numbers, and practice finding/shifting your NPOA.
Congrats to Rangerat on the green hat and Superheat for 100 events!
As usual, I started Saturday with photos then forgot until we almost finished. I'm sure someone can fill in the blanks.
Here are a few photos I was able to get before I had to leave
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This was such a memorable event for so many reasons.
The community of shooters in Kingston is just phenomenal. There were fewer attendees than we normally see, but whenever I work an event at the Marlette club I am blown away by your attention to safety, your commitment to the points of instruction, your appreciation for our country's history, and the goodness of your character. You've proven that you can ring 4MOA steel at two hundred yards (8"). You are 'salt of the earth' people who are pleasant to be around. I love getting away from the city to shoot with you in the country for a couple of days, and if you ever want another Libertyseed - I will be there!
Congrats and Thank You to Superheat for reaching the 100-event milestone. I consider you my mentor, and you are one of the primary reasons why I am involved in Project Appleseed. You continue to be a source of strength and inspiration on my personal journey, whether you like it or not. I hope you live long and prosper. Cigars are on me next time.
Congrats to MrZeke for earning his Red Hat. It wasn't very long ago that I was announcing your orange hat (https://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=59462.0). I can't be the only one who is in awe of how quickly you tackled our POI's and history. You check all of the boxes, my friend. I look forward to working alongside you for many events to come.
Congrats to Rangerat67.... Rick. Listen sir, you are a great human being. I am honored to know you as a friend. You are going to make an excellent Shoot Boss, and the entire Project Appleseed mission is furthered by your very existence. I would follow you anywhere, buddy.
:F
PICTURE ALBUM (https://photos.app.goo.gl/5vAT8Ds4rZVsZ8on6)
Some Highlights:
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Looks like a fantastic event. Big Congrats to our new Green Hat (RANGERAT67) and to Superheat on his 100 shoot pin. Huzzah to all !!!!!
Corvette