On the morning of April 18, as the sun broke over the tree line in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the range slowly filled with the quiet energy that always precedes a meaningful Appleseed weekend. Shooters—some seasoned, some brand new—unpacked rifles, unrolled mats, and stepped onto the line with a mix of curiosity, hope, and determination. From the very start, it was clear this group had come not just to shoot, but to learn.
The first Redcoat targets told familiar stories: a few wide patterns, a few solid groups, and a whole lot of potential waiting to be shaped. As instructors guided shooters through the steady hold factors, sight alignment, NPOA shifts, and the Six Steps, the range transformed. Nervous movements gave way to deliberate ones. Uncertain shooters grew more confident. Conversations shifted from "I'm not sure I can do this" to "I can feel it coming together."
Throughout the weekend, the history of April 19, 1775 wove itself into the rhythm of instruction. During breaks, participants set their rifles down and listened to the stories of ordinary men and women who chose to stand fast when history called their names. Those moments landed deeply. You could see it in the nods, the quiet reflection, the renewed focus when shooters stepped back to the firing line. The connection between skill and heritage—between marksmanship and the responsibilities of citizenship—was unmistakable.
By Day 2, everything began to click. The AQT targets came out, and with them, a new level of energy. Shooters pushed through the transitions, found their NPOA faster, tightened their cadence, and showed real grit when the clock pressed hard. Instructor coaching blended seamlessly into the flow—small adjustments, quiet encouragement, and the occasional breakthrough that made a shooter sit back and smile wide.
And then came the moments every Appleseed instructor lives for: the Rifleman scores. When a shooter crossed that threshold, there was no mistaking the pride—earned through patience, discipline, and trust in the process. Others came close, some heartbreakingly close, but even those who didn't quite reach it left with a deeper understanding of their abilities and a clear path forward.
The final Redcoat of the weekend showed something numbers alone can't capture: genuine growth. Targets that had been scattered on Saturday now held tight, deliberate groups. Participants who arrived as strangers were packing up as friends, swapping tips, stories, and promises to return.
Most importantly, the event closed with the same spirit with which it began: safe, focused, respectful, and grounded in the shared belief that marksmanship is more than a skill—it's a link to a heritage worth remembering.
The Jonesboro Appleseed of April 18–19 was a success not because of any single moment, but because of the steady accumulation of many small ones: a bit of coaching here, a breakthrough there, a story that resonated, a shot that surprised someone, a lesson that clicked exactly when it needed to.
Everyone left better than they arrived. And that is the mark of a truly meaningful Appleseed weekend
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Ok, I'll freely admit I used AI to create that AAR, but I have to admit, it came out pretty good!! As Paul Harvey used to say though, here's the REST of the story:
Saturday was a challenge. Thunderstorms the night before and a persistent drizzle necessitated moving our firing line up a few feet onto the concrete walkway to avoid lying in the mud, but thankfully the Jonesboro Shooting Sports Complex has enough room that we could also shift the target line back easily to maintain the required 25m distance. I'm sure the shooters appreciated at least having a firm platform to fire from, if not a dry one!
Speaking of the shooters, we had 8 Patriots on the line Saturday braving the weather, and 8 Appleseed Volunteers to spread the word of Liberty as well as the outstanding marksmanship instruction that the Arkansas cadre is known for. Our shooters included everything from 5yo Fred attending his very first event under the watchful eye of Captain (also known as Daddy) to a former volunteer and 250 shooter, Quincannon, who is getting back into the program and taking up his orange hat again! Most of the POIs were handled by Whit, a former dSB coming back from a break and quickly moving through the Progress Checks to get his Shoot Boss hat back. As expected, he did an outstanding job at it. Following the standard course of fire, we heard the First Strike of the Match, then presented the ever important safety rules, along with instruction on how to make a safe rifle and the different types of ammunition difficulties to look out for. After going over the line commands, we then shot our first Hits Count target of the weekend. Some were good, and some showed room for improvement as we told the shooters to expect. We moved into the POIs, punctuating and reinforcing them with drills on the squares target as necessary. Attitudes remained positive throughout the day despite the rainy and increasingly cooler conditions, and the Jonesboro Shooting Sports Complex was even kind enough to allow us the use of an indoor classroom for lunch and the Second Strike. We worked through our first AQT one stage at a time, and had one shooter score a requalification. The last Hits Count target of the day showed the shooters' improvement. We even doubled the number of hits on Morgan's Shingle!
Sunday the 19th was MUCH nicer, although still muddy. We lost a couple of shooters who didn't return, but picked up a couple more instructors. After a few DOM stories and a quick refresher on the previous day's POIs, we moved right into the shooting. Scores continued to improve, and by day's end, we had four previously qualified Riflemen requalify, and the rest knocking on the door. Outstanding shooter goes to Quincannon, whose LOWEST score on the AQT was a 245! We avoided the "AQT Grind" by breaking into teams and shooting the "Parker's Revenge" target, which was a hit. A little bit of Appleseed swag donated by Captain went to the winning team, and then we prepared for the Memorial Volley. After explaining the purpose and significance of the volley, we posted targets, then read the Bloody Butchery broadleaf. As the names of the fallen were read out followed by a volley of fire, we were reminded of the sacrifice given for us so long ago. The day ended with a final Hits Count target, and a reminder of that 7th Step...to go and make sure Liberty gets more than just a weekend from you. Vote. Call your elected officials and act like you're part of our government, because that is the only way "of the People, by the People, and for the People" works. Thank you to all, shooters and instructors alike for sharing your time with me this Patriot's Day.
Guns&Hoses
Pics coming as soon as I can remember how to post them lol
Excellent report, Guns&Hoses! I enjoyed the event, as did my son. Cool,windy and wet the first day, but we Appleseeders have been through all of the elements before and persevered, our Founding Fathers are an excellent example of that!
The instructor to shooter ratio was about the highest I've ever witnessed at an event, which boded well for an efficiently run and instructed shoot, things went very well.
I was glad to see some of the old hands I've worked with in the past, and the instructors I've not met before.
Excellent performance on working the event as Shoot Boss, Guns&Hoses!
I'm looking forward to future events, thanks!
I have to say, I was miserable that first day, but what a beautiful Sunday to reflect on April 19, 1775! Amazed at the persistence of the shooters on Saturday's cold, wet, windy, muddy conditions. Great group....great event