24 Shooters joined us at Creek's Edge Farm near Chattanooga, TN for a weekend full of History and marksmanship. With 18 attendees brand new to Project Appleseed, it was destined to be fantastic weekend!
On Saturday morning, Special_K started us off with a fantastic First Strike, and really primed the history pump! At Lunch, The Dude brought a great Second Strike while leaving us with the thought provoking question, "Are we taking good care of the children?". Cleveland gave us a solid and gut wrenching Third strike as the Redcoats took their desperate flight back to Boston. Fantastic Histories were shared throughout the weekend. Huzzah!
Our shooters were simply fantastic! They displayed awesome attitudes, and all listened intently throughout the weekend. Everyone was eager to practice each brand new instructional block that we sent their way. As the cool, Saturday morning air was quickly replaced by the good ole' East TN humidity and heat, our shooters persevered without complaint. It was very clear that our shooters were prepared for a "marathon, and not a sprint".
I was so proud to see one of our Saturday attendees overcome a notable anxiety with firearms, pick up a rifle on Sunday and perform exceptionally well. It was a modern day reminder of the strength and courage that it took for a bunch of shopkeepers and farmers to step outside their comfort zone, and stand up for what others could not or would not stand for. They stood for Liberty. Keep standing strong young lady.
To give a HUGE HUZZAH to all our shooters efforts, and as a heartfelt thanks from me to all the instructors who came out to give freely of their time and expertise in coaching and instructing, I want to share some RedCoat (Hits Count) target stats. Mainly because the True Beauty of learning the craft of a Rifleman is actually about the Journey, not just the destination...
Saturday Morning Red Coat count:
400 yd cleared 1 shooters
300 yd cleared 2 shooters
200 yd cleared 4 shooters
100 yd cleared 6 shooters
Morgan's shingle 2
Sunday Afternoon Red Coat count (After every shooter, and instructor was toast)
400 yd cleared 9 shooters
300 yd cleared 2 shooters
200 yd cleared 2 shooters
100 yd cleared 1 shooters
Morgan shingle 5 shooters
I was honored to see Matt J shoot a 222 on the last AQT that was shot on Sunday to earn his well deserved Rifleman patch!! We had so many shooters knocking on the door with high 190's and 200+. I truly hope and expect to see them on the line again, because A Rifleman Persists!!
Hats off To Eagle Keeper with 3 requals, and K-Mom with 3 requals.
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It was a beautiful morning for a First Strike before the day warmed up.
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Special_K and Army Vet giving personal instruction
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Cleveland introducing the concept of NPOA
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Students finding their NPOA
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Special_K giving a comprehensive presentation of IMC
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Students working diligently to learn IMC
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Wiley Coyote sharing the Truths that our targets are telling us.
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Cleveland sharing the third strike as the Redcoats try to make it back to Boston
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The Dude keeping a watchful eye.
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Army Vet teaching sling use with Special_K modeling
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Heather, Kerri and Tucker practicing Rifleman's Cadence
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Liberty Yo!
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Kenadi giving instruction to Tucker during the Ball and Dummy exercise
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Matt came out this weekend and persisted. In doing so, he scored a 222 on the final AQT of the second day. Huzzah!
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Wiley Coyote was awarded the Battle Road rocker for his endless contributions to Appleseed, and for making the time recently to tour Battle Road and Lexington Green.
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The Dude, on behalf of a grateful organization, thank you for accepting the call to serve your country in the Navy. Be safe, and we can't wait to see you instructing on the line again soon!
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Special thanks to Special_k as she receives her 25 event pin!
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Just an awesome group to work with!