Saturday dawned gray and damp, with an ominous forecast and foreboding skies. The new Osage Beach DAR was about to receive it's christening.
The range was quickly made ready, new Rev. War flags raised, and and a very special Old Glory, donated by Tracy, daughter of SMLE. This flag was last flown over Bagra, Afghanistan, by our beloved troops.
After check-in, safety and more safety, 49 shooters were on the line to make history. The 99% prediction of really foul weather obviously had an effect on attendance, as there were some number more pre-registered. Hats off to those who had the resolve and gumption to say, "So what."
There were several family groups present, in fact more than I have ever seen at a single Appleseed. The all-female Gonzalez family showed particular persistence.
The first Redcoat revealed that there were also a good number of near-Riflemen on the line. Then came squares, six step, NPOA, position, etc. Things moved a bit slowly due to the relatively large number of shooters either shooting for the first time, or using unfamiliar equipment in a new environment.
Lunch brought 1st Strike, skillfully told by Ben1775, then more drills. At 2:45, the Redcoats were posted for the Historic shoot across America. After an explanation of the historical and record-setting significance of the moment, at prcisely 3:00 the name of each Lexington casualty was read, followed by a volley. What a moment!
Late afternoon brought more squares, stars, and finally, the first AQT, producing 2 new Riflemen. Second Strike was beautiflly done by EricAnderson, and with all but 2 shooters vowing to return Sunday, the benediction was given and everyone headed for needed rest.
It must be said that the Guardians of Appleseed were watching over us, as the skies stayed black all day, but the rain never fell. Saturday night, though, made up for our respite. A hard, soaking rain fell all night, and by Sunday morning the range had become a series of small lakes, soggy grass, and muddy open spots. Fortunately, out engineering skills, however primitive, were effective, and our hay-covered gravel firing line remained fairly dry. The rain, though, continued to fall on and off. Only 21 shooter returned Sunday, and that number dwindled hourly as things got wetter and goopier
After review, another Redcoat was shot. Then ball and dummy, late, but deferred from Saturday due to time issues. Then, in a fit of "kinder, gentleness", I asked the shooters if they wanted to shoot more squares or an AQT, thinking it was a shoo-in. To the amazement of myself and all the instructors, the answer was a unanimous "squares!" How cool is that? So we spent more quality time with each shooter, working on his or her weak spots. Just before lunch, we shot an AQT, producing one more Rifleman. As we finished the last string of fire, the heavens opened up. Lunchbreak was called, and after lunch, Thor's Hammer and I gave Third Strike, dangerous Old Men, and Seventh Step. It was then that I asked our 3 Riflemen if they would join the ranks and accept the Orange Hat. Two did, KoriAnderson, and MoJoe. Redleg declined, due to the time demands of his active-duty status with the military, and everyone applauded, acknowledging that he was already doing more than most of us. By this time, we were down to about 12 stalwart seekers of knowledge, and I asked if there was anyone who was still ready to shoot in a deluge. 5 replied affirmative.
Lifting their rifles from pools of water on their tarps, some of them several inches deep, they stood in a wind-driven rain and fired the final AQT. There was so much rain that the rear peeps on some rifle were filling with water, having to be blown out between shots! By now the target backers were disintegrating, turning to mush. They were falling from the support wire, and the targets were beginning to peel away. When the shooters brought the targets to the shelter for scoring, it was like trying to work with wet toilet paper. One shooter just plastered his soggy target to the wall of the shelter.
It was 2:30, and even the hard-cores had enough, with the radar showing worse to come. It was a sad decision to call an end to the celebration of America's REAL birthday. The founders could take heart , though, that there are stills Americans willing to endure discomfort and hardship to preserve the traditons they fought so hard to give us.
Longshot