What a way to celebrate Patriots' Day weekend!
Clinton County Farmers' and Sportsman's Association in Wilmington, OH was once again the scene of a Great Redcoat Battle that pitted twenty (now veteran) Appleseeders on the Magic Gravel Dust of Good Ol' Bay 7 against wave after wave of Redcoat Regulars and a few Officers.
They attacked like clockwork each morning and evening until there wasn't a man left standing thanks to the Great American Heritage of Marksmanship and, as you'll see, the fantastic Appleseed Instructor Corps of southwest Ohio!
That first wave Saturday morning caught us off guard and, while there were fewer officers standing when the smoke cleared, the victory volley that those regular troops sent up was enough to kindle a spirit of revenge in each of us.
It was obviously time to get serious so we opened the proverbial firehose of knowledge and got to work. It was a challenge dodging some rain showers but we managed to make it to lunch where we were treated to Sawdust Jake's First Strike of the Match and then a Second Strike by RedLeg.
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That was the inspiration we were looking for because the skies dried and hits started to count. There were some impressive groups by the likes of James and Ronnie. David and Bassem were learning the ropes and it was interesting working with Ronnie and Ronnie on the right side. We were most impressed by Samantha and young Emma who just kept pounding away at it.
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Before you knew it, an AQT was on the board. Matthew was the first to re-qualify with a sweet 222 and it didn't take long for Doug F. to blast out a 235. The world was then introduced the its newest riflemen as Dan stroked a 219 and young Master Nathan rocked a 224 to earn his first!
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Just then the sentry rider came galloping into town hollerin' that the redcoats were just around the bend and headin' this way! We formed a battle line and took 'em head on. This time they weren't so lucky as Bryan, Doug F., Nathan, and Doug E. knocked them down!
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Sunday morning was a stark reminder of April in Ohio 'cause we needed a campfire to keep the trigger fingers warm.
The lesson review was quick and dirty. We shored up our safety, quickly covered the line commands, and it was time again to face off against our crimson foes.They didn't have a chance against Doug, Doug, and Nathan who were joined by Zach and Sammy as confirmed clears and half our shooters joined Morgan's Company of Riflemen!
We pounded out some drills and shifted some hips until it was time to try it again. Our first AQT put Zach among the ranks of Riflemen with an impressive 227. By the second AQT it was clear that Doug F. was going for that Tippman prize as he crushed a 241 while Bryan (226) and Michael (211) re-qualified.
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We were seeing some great shooting by everyone including Jack and Steve and we were all pulling for Ryan as he racked his bolt like an expert only to fall a point short!
The Rifleman scores were piling up as Sammy hit with a 218, Doug F. nailed a weekend high 246 and Cory made the grade with a first-time 220 just before the much-anticipated Memorial Volley.
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And at 4pm we all honored those who gave some and those who gave all on this very day 251 years ago. What a somber and heartfelt experience to remember just how much our Liberty cost!
All too soon it was time to bring this one to a close as the late actor Robert Duval said as Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now "Someday this Appleseed's gonna end." (or something like that.)
What an amazing weekend we had. Four new Riflemen, five re-qualified, and Thirteen cleared Redcoats. And best of all twenty awake and aware Americans who will go forth and pull their friends off the couch to try and save this grand experiment.
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Special thanks to the members of the Greatest Rifle Marksmanship Instructor Corps in the world who turned out for this one: Octopus, goodoldfriend, RedLeg, Sawdust Jake, Griffin, RattleHead, Clever Girl, and Longrifleman. Your time and talents are greatly appreciated.
And lastly but not leastly the members and board of the greatest range in Appleseed- the Clinton County Farmers' and Sportsmen's Association.
See you next time!
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Another GREAT shoot for Wiliimgton. Huzzah!!