WOW, WOW. Winter finally came to Michigan. Good thing because we were itching for a Winterseed.
Oh, Did I mention the Young Marines turned out.... Stay tuned for more about that.
As soon as I'm unburied from the pile of "STUFF" in my garage, I will post more.
SuperHeat, thanks for a great shoot. My boys and I had a great time at our 1st AppleSeed. Thanks to all the Applesee volunteers! Heartbreaker, I inadvertently came home with I believe one of your 10/22 magazines (yellow bottom). Send me an email and I can either send your back your's or just have a new one shipped to you.
I really can't say enough about this group. You are all so dedicated to what you do for this organization and I'm thoroughly enjoying watching my family move through the ranks, continuously learning and teaching others. Mac, thanks for all the pointers, hope I didn't let you down too much - I'll get there eventually, it's just going to take me a while.
Quote from: Earthmom on February 27, 2012, 10:53:02 AM
I really can't say enough about this group. You are all so dedicated to what you do for this organization and I'm thoroughly enjoying watching my family move through the ranks, continuously learning and teaching others. Mac, thanks for all the pointers, hope I didn't let you down too much - I'll get there eventually, it's just going to take me a while.
Earthmom, it may take a while but it is worth it, believe me. It took me 8 events to score, but I did get there. And you will get there soon as well. You already took that first step.
Quote from: Earthmom on February 27, 2012, 10:53:02 AM
I really can't say enough about this group. You are all so dedicated to what you do for this organization and I'm thoroughly enjoying watching my family move through the ranks, continuously learning and teaching others. Mac, thanks for all the pointers, hope I didn't let you down too much - I'll get there eventually, it's just going to take me a while.
No let down at all. You have good skills, it is up to us instructors to find out what we need to do to fine tune them into a patch. We'll get there, a Riflewoman is persistent!
Huzzah to everyone who attended this Winterseed. You all have the "Spirit of the Rifleman"
A wonderful weekend. "Brisk" weather, attentive students, compelling history, warm relationships (I'm always amazed that I come away from these shoots with new friends), many significantly improved scores, different colored hats flying all over the place, 2 new/1 returning Riflemen.
My favorite part - seeing fine young men/women (the Young Marines) who were attentive, polite, responsive to instruction and full of "yes, sir", "no sir, "thank you sir". Posterity!
2nd favorite part - the energy in the room on the 2nd day even after the brutal, tiring 1st day. Huzzahs and Marine Corps oh-ras.
3rd favorite - Little Moose ambushing SwampThing with snowballs from up in a tree in the parking lot on Sunday morning.
Pictures when I get a chance tonight.
Pictures!
Swamp Thing First Strike!
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020107.jpg)
Npoa in the bright sun
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020110.jpg)
Caliper calling the line.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020113.jpg)
Young Marine
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020117.jpg)
Michael Angelo Mac 3rd Strike.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020125.jpg)
Ice HOUSE!
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020131.jpg)
LITTLE MOOSE AND BROWN BESS
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020132.jpg)
Six Steps
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020134.jpg)
Scott and Ruby
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020137.jpg)
Earthmom and Lil MOOSE
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020138.jpg)
SIX AND SEVEN
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020139.jpg)
Grenadiers
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020143.jpg)
Blaze Rifleman
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020146.jpg)
Sergeant and Bess
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020150.jpg)
Snowmen ready to vaporize.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020151.jpg)
Rifleman Jeff
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020154.jpg)
Earthmom Applecore!
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/2012%20Lapeer%20Feb%2025%2026/P1020155.jpg)
What a great group of people! Even with the cold and snow, everyone had fun. Sadly I was not able to be there Saturday due to other commitments, but had A LOT of fun on Sunday ;D
I thought that the entire day was a blast, but if I had to pick a favorite moment, it would be watching everyone shoot the snowmen **)
Congrats to those that made rifleman, and those that didn't, you'll get there! (Yes, it's possible to get all ten rounds off in stages 2 and 3! ;))
~Maddie
More pics from an IIT
Raising the flag
(http://i54.tinypic.com/2d0c0h1.jpg)
The Circle of Knowledge
(http://i40.tinypic.com/23r387o.jpg)
Figuring out Standing
(http://i39.tinypic.com/1gn0ph.jpg)
Some quality instruction from the master
(http://i39.tinypic.com/2ii8tia.jpg)
Hey look, the color of that hat changed!
(http://i42.tinypic.com/nzls00.jpg)
Prepping a mag with 1 round
(http://i54.tinypic.com/b4x25g.jpg)
In full recoil
(http://i39.tinypic.com/n6dqc3.jpg)
That musket is approximately 1 Little Moose long
(http://i55.tinypic.com/161kg2w.jpg)
mac and his awesome map
(http://i43.tinypic.com/1fi8uv.jpg)
The "big line"
(http://i55.tinypic.com/5al0qv.jpg)
Up close and personal instruction
(http://i41.tinypic.com/34t6h6q.jpg)
Madhatter with some history
(http://i39.tinypic.com/pnnub.jpg)
Posterity! The Young Marines
(http://i40.tinypic.com/2w5lqua.jpg)
Steel Thunder,
Never got the chance to tell you how much we enjoyed your history this weekend but it was the topic of conversation in the car on the way home. Loved your addition of a little humor.
Earthmom
Thank you...my wife would say that I add "a little humor...VERY little humor" to things. :)
Shooters! Remember all that great history you heard in the 3 Strikes this weekend? Here's some pix from Battle Road I took last week. There are several more at http://tinypic.com/a/2p9xj/2
Parker statue on Lexington Green
(http://i39.tinypic.com/2eb5p2u.jpg)
Entering the town
(http://i40.tinypic.com/2a5hs7b.jpg)
Buckman Tavern where the militia met prior to the battle
(http://i39.tinypic.com/34rfv4x.jpg)
(http://i40.tinypic.com/e64s34.jpg)
Standing on the east end of the green looking west (the view of the Regulars)...not very big, is it?
(http://i43.tinypic.com/256bqzc.jpg)
Parker's famous quote
(http://i44.tinypic.com/vzk29j.jpg)
The militia line...this is where they stood between here and the monument in the background
(http://i39.tinypic.com/546k3o.jpg)
Monument and burial place of the Lexington militia
(http://i41.tinypic.com/20725pd.jpg)
(http://i43.tinypic.com/35an249.jpg)
Harrington house just off the green (where he crrawled and died at this doorstep)
(http://i39.tinypic.com/ve7ipc.jpg)
Revere capture site
(http://i42.tinypic.com/m7b2v7.jpg)
The Old North Bridge west of Concord
(http://i40.tinypic.com/144b3aw.jpg)
Davis statue at the bridge
(http://i42.tinypic.com/33yozue.jpg)
British grave at the North Bridge
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2e3mpfp.jpg)
Monument at Concord
(http://i44.tinypic.com/efniue.jpg)
Meriam's Corner - where the match finally lit
(http://i42.tinypic.com/257m90w.jpg)
British grave at Meriam's Corner
(http://i40.tinypic.com/345bdyq.jpg)
Ridgeline along the road back to Boston -- from these the Ring of Fire was launched
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2w3753l.jpg)
Jason Russell house in Menotomy (now Arlington)
(http://i41.tinypic.com/eqntc2.jpg)
Old Burying Ground in Menotomy for the militia who died there
(http://i39.tinypic.com/54ip0g.jpg)
Menotomy militia tomb
(http://i39.tinypic.com/28s5uon.jpg)
Another excellent Appleseed/Winterseed with passionate historical presentations, a well earned "hat" promotion for Superheat, more drinking from the firehose of knowledge applied by a fantastic group of instructors, and great shooting with friends new and old.
I was almost defeated on the third stage of my third AQT of the weekend by a failure to feed magazine that robbed me of the final three rounds on that stage. Having also dropped the first shot on the first 3 stages I figured my chances of an expert score had evaporated :wb: . But with Miki's advice and encouragement O0 I was able to buckle down, relax, and shoot a 98 on the final stage (proving the lesson on the importance of NPOA and the 6 steps on stage 4) to make 210, and earn a snowball "bath" and the coveted Winterseed patch ^:)^ Further icing on the cake was shooting a 214 on 4 minute AQT and clearing 3 of the 4 Redcoat shoots. It is finally coming together and the next step is conquering an AQT with my M1A.
Seeing all the young people there is a real encouragement as they are our future. The Young Marines are an impressive group and Blaze shooting a 225 with a bolt action is an inspiration for us all. It was great seeing Jeff shoot his his Rifleman score up in the ice house and I believe we had two others up there knocking on the door as well.
Thanks to all who got off the couch to attend but the greatest thanks go to all our instructors who gave so much of this weekend to improving us. To them I give three cheers ! HUZZA ! HUZZA ! HUZZA !
God willing see you all soon !
Earl
Earl, congrats on your 2 AQT's. I didn't know you did the 214 after the 210. My boys and I really had fun. In fact we signed up for the 3/24-3/25 event. The boys really want to concur the AQT. We are ripping their malfunctioning guns apart, to get them more reliable. Luckily if it exceeds our capacities (shallow as they are), we have my father-in-law whose retired to a gun smithing career. I married into a hunting family and am truely a cook to rifleman story. The gun I used was the first rifle I've ever purchased just a couple of weeks before the event. I had shot before but this event and practicing for it before r!eally fired me up. Even though I got my patch, I know there is much to learn. Can't wait. I am going to attempt the next event using my (2nd rifle ever purchased) Marlin 39a lever action. I was very impressed by the young marine that rifleman'd with a bolt action. He inspired me to try with the lever action. The kindness and willingness of the instructors to loan guns to my boys so they could participate in the event really has touched me. Good people! Good Fun! Maybe someday I will stick my hand out to take the HAT.
Jeff, it was great shooting along side you and your sons. You have two fine young men there and I'm sure it wont take long for them to make Rifleman. The best to you and your boys in the pursuit of your goals. O0
What a great event. It was sad that Mosca was sick on Sunday. Lets hope he makes it to the next one.
Jonathan was shooting great, I think you need just one more AQT.
Leah, You showed such perseverance, we hope to see you back in March.
Scott, I hope we have that scope mastered. :slap:
Jeff and Blase congrats on the Rifleman status. Shooting is just the first step.
For the rest of the Appleseeders: Homework assignment! Practice your positions, transitions and trigger control. (safety first) I expect each of you to score Rifleman this year. HUZZAH!
SUPERHEAT
I know that the "Ice House" had at least four more riflemen, if we would have had a little more time we could have gone 6 for 6. But time is the one thing we never seem to have enough of. Well I guess that is why there are more Appleseeds.
number6
#6 you are Correct. Eric and Evan had to leave early. Eric got home and totaled up one of the last AQT's he shot and scored a 217. Evan had 2 208's (at least). Peter went from shooting sub 100's to a 167 to finish the day. Aaron shot just under 200 when he switched to my gun (first time he ever shot that gun). Aaron has always outshot me when we practiced at home, so I'll relish the boasting around the dinner table at least until the next event (March here we come). 8)
Quote from: BullBarrel on February 29, 2012, 09:06:46 AM
Eric got home and totaled up one of the last AQT's he shot and scored a 217.
Eric, If you bring that target back to me I will honor it and give you your patch. Team Icehouse was working hard all weekend. I hate to think that you were short changed. Heck if you are local I will meet you. P.M. me. Although it would be more fun to just come back and do it again. :)
Superheat, I emailed Eric your offer. We are trying to talk Eric and Evan to coming back with us in March. Evan may have conflicts with College admin stuff. If they can't come, I'll collect his AQT and bring it with me, though I think it should be a double or nothing offer (just doing my part for filling the spots :) ). Jonathan's Mom actually is applying some pressure to my wife to come (Jonathan and Peter are soccer teammates). I'm trying to convince them to go to womens shoot. My daughter is 10. Is she old enough? I couldn't find an minimum age on the site? Course I think they both enjoyed having the house to themselves on the weekend.
Sounds great Bull, You are correct there is no minimum age. If someone can safely handle a rifle they NEED to come to an Appleseed. Safely being the operative word. Little Moose was on the big line all weekend and did just fine off of sand bags. I believe he is 8 years old. You might want to have your girls come sooner than August. Check the schedule. Fenton is not too far. The April 22 event is our big one. We do some special stuff to commemorate the anniversary.
Sorry it took me so long to 'chime in'. What a weekend! When that alarm blasts at 4:30ish AM I want to throw it across the room...but then I remember, I'm going to spend the weekend doing what I love with the best folks I know or am soon to meet and I blast out of bed and get moving.
Seeing you all make so much improvement makes getting up before dawn cracks all worth while!
Earl, sincere congrats, friend! You learned a rifleman persists no matter what fate throws in the way. Way to go!
Eric, if I could reach through this monitor I'd grab that target and score it myself! Ouch. Remember a rifleman persists.
Bull Barrel, considering a goofy colored hat. YAY! Love to have you as part of the Michigan cadre.
It was my honor to work with you all this past weekend and I hope to see you again soon.
Miki
Bull Barrel,
It is a small world. Your wife must be the one who chimed in on facebook when I was trying to get Mary Bright to attend the next Appleseed. I think your wife is the one putting pressure on Mary:) I hope to see them both at an event soon.
It is a small world. We were standing at the flag raising, when Jonathan stepped up and I whispered to Peter, hey that looks like Jonathan from soccer. You keep working Mary and I'll work Lisa and Jane.