Pelham, NH: April 18–19, 2026
Pelham sits just ~23 miles from Lexington, a short distance, but one that carries the weight of history. This weekend marked the 251st anniversary of the events at Lexington and Concord, and the conditions we experienced reminded us just how real that history still is.
Saturday morning greeted us with a classic New England spring start: cool, damp, and wrapped in fog. Temperatures hovered in the mid-to-upper 40s, with low visibility early and a persistent overcast hanging on through the day. It was a "raw" morning, the kind that settles into your bones. In many ways, it closely mirrored the feel of the morning of April 19, 1775: damp air, reduced visibility, and a quiet tension in the atmosphere before things begin to unfold.
We started Saturday with 19 students on the line, essentially full. After the welcome and safety brief, students got their first look at the Hits Count target. Initial scores showed promise: 4 at 400, 2 at 200, 9 at 100, and 2 shingles, with none clearing. From there, we got to work.
Saturday was not a fast-paced day, and that was by design. The "time monkey" made its presence known, but it gave the students exactly what they needed: time to learn. Questions came from all directions, and this was one of the most engaged groups we've ever had on the line. Students weren't just listening, they were processing, asking, and applying. You could see the shift happen throughout the day as understanding turned into execution.
By the end of Saturday, the improvement was clear. We saw 4 shooters at 400, 3 at 300, 3 at 200, 9 at 100, and 10 shingles, with 3 students clearing the Hits Count. We did not make it to an AQT, but the tradeoff was worth it. The foundation built on Saturday set the stage for everything that followed.
A key part of Saturday was the telling of the "Three Strikes of the Match." These stories, delivered by mmirate and Luigi, were done exceptionally well and carried real weight on the line. They reminded everyone why April 19, 1775 matters, and what ordinary people are capable of when pushed to act. The message resonated with the students, and you could see it translate into focus and determination throughout the day. The instruction gave them the "how," but the stories of the Three Strikes gave them the "why," and that combination drove the effort we saw from the line all weekend.
Sunday brought a very different challenge.
On the 251st anniversary of the opening shots of April 19, 1775, the students faced their own battle, this time with the weather. Rain moved in during the morning, accompanied by cold temperatures and shifting wind. It was wet, uncomfortable, and demanding. Some students were unable to return due to prior commitments, but those who did came ready to work.
After a brief review and safety check, we ran the Hits Count again, and the results spoke for themselves. The improvement from Saturday carried over, showing that the lessons had stuck.
From there, we moved into AQT instruction. Like Saturday, the morning started slow as students worked through the stages, but once it clicked, it clicked. By the end of the day, we had two new Riflemen and one re-qualification.
A seasoned shooter, Rangedog, pushed hard for a perfect score, finishing with a 248, just shy, but an outstanding performance.
Hamgun, a blue hat, defined persistence this weekend. After a 207 on his first AQT, he broke through with a 210 to earn his patch, then continued to improve, posting a 216 and finishing strong with a 221. He wasn't there for the patch, no, Hamgun wanted that orange hat. Taking the next step in his journey as volunteer he ended the day with he came for.
Sung came into Sunday dialed in from the work he put in on Saturday. He earned his Rifleman patch with a 228, then pushed himself further by switching to a bolt-action rifle and scoring a 223 and 222. Not satisfied, he returned to his semi-auto and closed out the day with a 243, earning his Distinguished patch. Outstanding work.
Across the line, improvements were everywhere. Students who struggled with magazine changes on Saturday were running them cleanly on Sunday. Scores steadily climbed, and several shooters finished just shy of their own Rifleman goal.
Throughout the weekend, the history of April 19, 1775 was woven into the instruction. Stories of Samuel Whittemore, Hezekiah Wyman, Prudence Wright, and Prince Estabrooks helped connect the marksmanship on the line to the sacrifices made 251 years ago.
Before the memorial volley, we ran a round of Parker's Revenge. Teams quickly came together, communicating, calling shots, and working as a unit. Team Right posted more hits, but Team Left made theirs count where it mattered most, and through strong teamwork, they took the win.
The memorial volley was, as always, a powerful moment. The line fell silent. Names were called. Shots rang out in honor of those who stood on that ground 251 years ago. It was a reminder that what we do is about more than marksmanship, it is about remembrance.
On a personal note, one of the highlights of the weekend was having two young shooters on the line. Leo and Jaydson were a pleasure to work with. Both took instruction seriously, showed strong improvement, and represented the next generation well. They should be proud of what they accomplished, and I would gladly welcome them back on the line anytime.
This weekend started the same way April 19, 1775 did, cool, damp, and uncertain. Back then, the day would clear and give way to something much larger. For us, the weather went the other direction, turning colder and wetter. But the outcome was the same in the ways that matter: growth, perseverance, and the passing on of knowledge.
Well done to all who attended. I hope to see you back on the line.
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