We set up camp on the western edge of Good 'Ol Bay 7 the morning of the 7th, recent. Intelligence reports indicated that the Redcoats had a strong defense to our east and we, thinking that surprise was on our side, began our training immediately.
Clinton County Farmers' and Sportsmen's Association had been our stronghold until quite recently but the Redcoats chased us off last April and we were determined to regain The Greatest Range in Appleseed- and for keeps this time! Wilmington, OH was too important to the cause for it not to be in our hands!
After a good dose of First Strike history we formed a battle line and the command was given- FIRE, FELLOW SOLDIERS, FIRE AS BEST AS YOU CAN!
But the Redcoats held strong! Kirk was the only one to take one down. (Nice work Kirk!) It was like they expected us. What had just happened? Then it hit us- SPIES! Tory Spies! Hundreds of them!
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We quickly eradicated the scourge from our midst as best we could but the damage was done. We would have to use a different technique to conquer the dastardly Redcoats- Marksmanship!
And so our training began in earnest. The GI sling, Steady Hold Factors, The 6 Steps to Firing the Shot, and, finally, Natural Point of Aim... it was like a firehose of knowledge! And our 19 battle tested patriots ate it up like a bag of chips!
Our efforts were obvious after and dozen or so squares, a great Second Strike of the Match, more drills, a fantastic Third Strike...the battlefield tension had never been higher.
We once again took up our positions and when the smoke cleared Jenna proved she had the meddle by clearing only the second Redcoat she had ever faced!
(https://i.imgur.com/AoLrqMU.jpeg)
With that the sun set on our weary camp and it was decided to take the battle to them again in the morning...
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Sunday dawned damp and cloudy but nothing was going to stop us today!
A quick review of the training and Matt H drew his saber and led us into battle taking down a redcoat along with battle-hardened veteran Doug as their lines began to collapse!
(https://i.imgur.com/Mv6jppo.jpeg)
We ran some more drills and crushed some more squares, shifted some hips and squeeeeeeeeeeezed our triggers. Then the grind began.
Grant and Doug quickly requalified with scores of 220 and 229 respectively.
Others were coming on strong as well. Tom and Eric were showing great promise as they battled their equipment and the elements. Will and Matt B were doing the same. Jenna was letting it all sink in as were our young-uns Nathan and Zachary following a great lead from their dad, Matt H.
(https://i.imgur.com/w7yrHp3.jpeg)
Zach B was facing the challenge of iron sights like a pro and Grace, Grant, Katie and Griffin were giving it all they had!
The AQT scores were piling up for our veterans when suddenly Matt H. became the worlds newest Rifleman with and solid 212!
(https://i.imgur.com/ZSe3SAZ.jpeg)
All too soon it was time for our Team Drill. Four teams of 4 and a pair of Riflemen faced off to load everything they had and all they could afford for fabulous prizes of unspeakable value! When our shooters climbed out from under the huge pile of spent brass they had just created the North End Girls With Guns, Cora, Sarah, Beth, and Sally, claimed the honors most decisively!
(https://i.imgur.com/aQi9LCN.jpeg)
And just like that it was time to take on the Redcoats for a final, once-and-for-all slugfest. They had no idea what hit them as Grant and Kirk took out two of their best and all of our battle hardened shooters showed the world that tonight the sun would set on the Redcoat Empire!
(https://i.imgur.com/pFc50h6.jpeg)
Eternal and heartfelt gratitude to CCFSA, an amazing bunch of students, and each and every member of the Greatest Rifle Marksmanship Training Corps in the world from the RWVA for making this another one to fondly remember.
(https://i.imgur.com/8FTGtas.jpeg)
See you in October!
Congratulations Kirk, Matt, Jeanna, and "The North End Girls With Guns."
You were a great group of shooters, I greatly enjoyed spending the day with all of you on Saturday. Hope to see everyone back on the line somewhere again!
Once again, another successful Appleseed. Never in the course of human events has Liberty, Marksmanship, and Heritage been so eagerly pursued and embraced. Thanks to all the shooters for coming to CCFSA's Bay 7.
I had a great time working with all the shooters, first timers and old timers. Looking forward to the next time.
What a fantastic weekend! A heartfelt thank you to all the shooters who took time out of their busy schedules to spend a weekend outdoors learning about the day that birthed our great nation and how to become better marksmen!
It was a pleasure to work with each and every one of you and I was very heartened to see the improvement in our first time attendees, with several knocking on the door with scores very near 200. I look forward to seeing you all out again where I'm confident you will further hone your skills and obtain your Rifleman patch.
Another great weekend at ole #7.
Love to see the improvment by Sunday afternoon. Meaningful to spend time with Tom (another old guy like me)