Gather around!
We had an absolutely wonderful experience together last weekend in Shelby, Indiana. The weather was nearly perfect, except for a brief period of rain on Sunday, as well as some empty threats of an all day rain on Sunday that didn't materialize.
Our students showed up bright and early, ready and eager to learn about history, heritage, and marksmanship!
We got off to a little bit of a slow start on Saturday, but there was a lot to learn, and that we did. We had a good combination of beginning students, as well as some very experienced marksman in our ranks. We all worked together and it worked well. We tried a fairly new exercise on Saturday that involved a course of fire from each of the four sitting positions. Our students got to measure with real feedback from the target which was their best one. We all agreed that probably the highlight of our day on Saturday was when Mrs. America brought Miss Mary, an older lady from church, to hear part of the history for a few minutes on Saturday. Miss Mary ended up staying for most of the day and operating a rifle for the first time in her life. She was excited to be there and a joy to be around!
On Sunday, we got off to a running start with a great review of everything we learned on Saturday, as well as a very inspiring challenge from one of our instructors. I'd like to think that's what motivated the good marksmanship we largely saw for the rest of the day! Three of our previously qualified rifleman were able to re-qualify, some multiple times. Tip of the hat to Terry, who inspires me every time, Tina, who always impresses me with marksmanship, and Hernando, a man who very well knows what he's about. Hernando earned the very first distinguished rifleman patch that I have been privileged to give out as a shoot boss. Congratulations!
New to our ranks of riflemen, we were able to welcome Shane, Mike, and Skip. In a very memorable moment, Shane scored exactly 210, which earned him the tradition of water. Fortunately, for him, I had brought back some actual muddy water from under the North Bridge from a recent trip there. I hope there wasn't too much bacteria for you, Shane! My friend Mike was also able to score a rifleman not once, but twice during the afternoon. Mike, you have a bright future in front of you and we would love to see you often at future events! Finally, after having problems with some loaner equipment for part of the day, Skip was able to switch rifles and immediately score rifleman. That's how it's done! He went on to clear the final red coat Sunday afternoon.
Whoever said that Project Appleseed instructors don't get paid anything was only talking about money. Whenever I am around Appleseed instructors and students, I feel like I am the richest man on earth. I am rewarded with blessings and joy that can only come from being around the finest Americans there are. You are the reason that we do what we do!
Please stay involved with us, and keep coming back. We have a country to save! Welcome to the Appleseed family!
It was a fantastic time! Already trying to figure out when I can attend another one.
Thanks Captain for ordering in the best weather of the year. Also a special thanks to the Izaak Walton and their reps Beth and Ray for providing such a nice venue for this event. And compliments to the excellent instructors who did a fine job teaching and inspiring a great group of participants.
Things get a little busy once instruction begins, so I didn't get to know those on the other end of the firing line. But I would like to congratulate Tina, Shane and Skip on their Rifleman scores. Was great to see Mike work up to multiple Rifleman scores with his Tippmann. Big congrats to Hernando for his Distinguished score.
I especially want to salute a young lady who used all the skills taught over the weekend to shoot the tiniest groups on the final Redcoat. Wynona reminded me a young lady I met at a central Illinois Appleseed years ago who now at 15 is a top national competitor in Junior Olympics. Patience and skill make a formidable combination.
The weather was awesome. The cadre was spot-on with instruction. The participants were a real delight to meet. It was great seeing some of the folks from IL come over to visit. I hope to see you in Oct at Bonfield.
Here are a couple pictures i managed to snap on Saturday.
https://imgur.com/a/F9iQFXK