Its was a sold out shoot for Appleseeds triumphant return to the LeRoy Rifle and Pistol Club/American Heritage Range. Our last event with the club was in 2018 and since then they have relocated and opened a new range, and a mighty fine range it is.
Saturday started out with cool temps and plenty of sunshine as 12 shooter were introduced to a resounding First Strike and a briefing. We had several first time Appleseed attendees, and the Instructors were impressed by the first Hits Count, which showed a good baseline of skill to be built on over the weekend. After initial instruction we broke out some squares, and a significant number of our shooters quickly showed us they could shoot 6MOA groups. A break for lunch, and a Second Strike led us to the afternoon where more shooters quickly joined the 6MOA club after some IMC and equipment adjustments.
Further instruction started us on our first AQT, interrupted only by more instruction, and a Third Strike. Our first AQT of the weekend saw requalification's by Keith (212), Terry(227), and Jacob(231), and a freshly minted Rifleman Brent with a 218. Our closing Hits Count proved the improvement, with 2 Shooters Jacob and Brent earning themselves an Illinois Appleseed wooden nickel.
We also presented a special recognition, for a dedicated friend of Project Appleseed- Illinois, Terry Zeiders. A Rifleman and Pistoleer™™™, Terry has attended closing in on 100 events as a shooter, always has spare equipment to bail out a fellow shooter(or volunteer), and has avidly promoted Appleseed across the State. It was our pleasure to present Terry with a certificate of appreciation signed by a significant portion of the Illinois Cadre.
Our day ended with a Benediction by ChuckA, where our shooters proved they were not napping, answering our four questions. Our shooters were challenged to consider the gift given to us by our founders and how we can all be a part of saving our Country by being involved, pulling on a challenge by Rev William Smith, orated on June 23, 1775 "Think that on you it may depend, whether this great country, in ages hence, shall be filled and adorned with a virtuous and enlightened people; enjoying LIBERTY and all its concomitant blessings,"
After some tips on self-care and equipment care, we parted ways until the next morning, recharging for another day of Liberty.
Sunday welcomed us with more beautiful weather, and 10 returning shooters. After a review, our first Hits Count showed that instruction had been retained. A few sets of squares got some final equipment adjustments sorted, and the blood flowing for our first AQT of the Day, which resulted in 2 requalification, and Jacob painfully close to a Distinguished patch (239). Geek kicked off our lunch with a talk on the difference between history and heritage, followed by the KD presentation.
Armed with knowledge and refreshed by lunch, we threw ourselves back into the AQT, our second and third providing additional qualifications, and steady improvement by all. Our instructors scattered in some Dangerous Old Men through the day, and we decided it was time to change the pace, and have a little fun.
Our Parkers Revenge team event pitted two very even teams in a challenge of skill and strategy. After the smoke cleared, out teams were evenly matched on Hits for Col Smith, Officers, and Grenadiers. With only 4 points separating teams, it was hits on the Troops that resulted in a 55/51 victory for Team A, but Team 1 did not make it easy.
We launched into our last AQT of the Day, and in addition to 3 more requals we were able to mint a new Rifleman, Alex with a score of 218 with irons. We concluded our shooting with a final Hit's Count, with every shooter showing improvement, and 2 more shooters clearing the Red Coat and Earning their wooden nickel. Congrats Keith and Peper! We ended our day reflecting on the individuals who stood up that day, discussed ways that we can all be more involved, and with an invitation to help Appleseed grow. Brent (ShootDoc) stepped up to join the Applecore, and several more participants were considering.
Our first time shooters, Marcus, Alex, and Brandy all showed improvement the whole week. Doug, Brandy, and Mike are all well on their way to becoming Rifleman, with scores over 190. Many thanks to all the participants and volunteers who made our return to Waynesville and the LeRoy Rifle Pistol Club a success.
First Strike
(https://i.imgur.com/mRVOVOD.jpeg)
Getting the hand of sight alignment
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Getting our steps in
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Some talking Targets
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IMC
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(https://i.imgur.com/hWiXlGe.jpeg)
Day 1 cleared Hit's Count
(https://i.imgur.com/Hqcl6pi.jpeg)
Requalifying Rifleman
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A NEW Rifleman
(https://i.imgur.com/BggURCM.jpeg)
Recognizing a Friend of Project Appleseed - Illinois
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Have you seen my mag?
(https://i.imgur.com/imeqbak.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PWUQqh1.jpeg)
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Day 2 cleared Hits Count
(https://i.imgur.com/c7QsRkJ.jpeg)
A new Applecore grabs a bucket, Welcome ShootDoc!
(https://i.imgur.com/ggYLeF6.jpeg)
Adding in these now that its official:
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(https://i.imgur.com/fzbUhMV.jpeg)
It was some of the best weather this year! I am so glad the dust advisory and tornado warnings were over by the time we did setup on Friday night. I had no idea what I was driving into until I started seeing semis in the ditch.
This was great event. ChuckA ran this one like a pro. He will be a great addition to our shoot boss crew in the region. Look for a photo and announcement about that coming soon.
Congrats to all of the participants that made the score of 210, or above, cleared a Hits Count Target, or improved your skills this past weekend. I enjoyed meeting all of you and look forward to seeing many of you at future events. It is always a pleasure to see siblings, couples, and close friends attend events together. This event had it all.
Thank you for letting border raid. Illinois is coming on strong with Project Appleseed.
Was definitely an excellent event! It was also great to see the LRPC once again able to open up their excellent range to this Appleseed Event. Their longstanding dedication to supporting firearm education and training and the Appleseed program is greatly appreciated.
ChuckA should be commended on his help in getting the Heritage Range on the calendar. And I salute the great job you did as Shoot Boss. Your dedication and effort to present the Appleseed program are greatly appreciated.
Theses events allow me to see old friends and to meet new friends. This group had one of finest groups of marksmen/women I've seen. Congrats to all the new marksmen, requalifiers and Redcoat clears. The close competition on the Parkers Revenge showed there were many who know what they are about.
WOW - way to go ChuckA - can't wait to see the official announcement.