Fifteen highly motivated shooters and 7 instructors came out on a chilly Saturday to strike a blow for liberty! The weather was perfect, even though it started out cool. This area had a lot of snow, rain and ice during the 2 weeks prior to the event, so the ground was a little soggy but that did not deter anyone from participating.
Registration was set to begin at 8:00 a.m. but shooters and instructors were early and we were off and running by 8:15. This factor along with the high level of motivation helped us outpace the Time Monkey all day. Early arriving shooters pitched in and helped the instructors with a few last minute things like posting backers and flags.
Johnny W. (NBF on the forum) was absolutely instrumental in putting this event together. Since he had already been to a couple of events, he had been talking it up among friends and family and helped fill the line. From the first Redcoat, it was evident that many of these folks had been practicing at home. ;)
EddieB gave an excellent telling of the First Strike in the classroom to give everyone one last chance to get warm before getting down on the mats. Firebear and Old Navy Doc did a great job on their 2nd event as Orange Hats. GT Engineer was the morning Line Boss and kept things running smoothly, including keeping the Shoot Boss from skipping ahead on the course of fire. ;) The shooters did really well absorbing all the instruction and we started seeing some really tight groups within the first few strings. The instructors got down and worked with shooters on the mat, coaching and critiquing along the way. The only hang-up we had in the morning was several beagles crossing the range about 600 yards down-range. Thankfully we were between strings of fire and while Jerry went downrange to make sure the range was clear, we did some instruction on prone position and NPOA.
When we broke for dinner in the classroom, GT Engineer told the Second Strike. He has obviously done his homework. We were back on the line by 1:00 p.m. EddieB was the afternoon Line Boss, and kept things progressing well. By 2:30, we were into our first AQT of the day. We had four new Riflemen on the first AQT! Jimmy with a 221, Johnny with a 226, John with a 236 and Jason with a 239! Randall scored a 203 and Tara scored a 190! Very good scores for first-time Appleseeders! We were able to shoot a second AQT and our four Riflemen backed up their first score with a 230, 218, 241, and 226 respectively. Men who know very well what they are about! All the shooters did really well and I hope to see all of them back at a future event. A Rifleman persists!
We retired to the classroom for Johnny Reb's telling of the Third Strike. He did a great job and the shooters seemed to be very interested in the history throughout the day. Since this was a one-day event, we gave a brief telling of the Dangerous Old Men stories during the day anytime there was a lull.
To cap off the day, NBF asked for an Orange Hat. Thanks for picking up a bucket to help bail!
I can't thank NBF, Firebear, Old Navy Doc, GT Engineer, EddieB, Overmountain Man, and Johnny Reb enough for their hard work to make this event a success.
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Johnny Reb and Old Navy Doc teaching the prone position.
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Overmountain Man teaching IMC with Firebear's assistance.
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EddieB teaching the sitting position with Firebear modeling.
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Johnny Reb teaching the standing position with Firebear modeling.
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Jacob and Grant were our young shooters.
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John scored a 236 and a 241!
(http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t633/Marty_Tate/Facebook/Appleseed/20150228_164403_zpsfayvwkct.jpg)
Jason scored a 239 and a 226!
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Johnny scored a 226 and a 218!
(http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t633/Marty_Tate/Facebook/Appleseed/20150228_164522_zpsfus6s5p1.jpg)
Jimmy scored a 221 and a 230!
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NBF receiving his Orange Hat!
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Regulator commanded the event like clockwork with his signature calm collected coolness, and what great weather ! Impressive bunch of shooters. Huzzah!
True amazing job to cover the material so completely, efficiently, and successfully without intracranial compression or emotional stress. And in just one day!
Bravo Zulu, Regulator.
To everyone who came out, thank you for giving us your time. I hope that all of the instruction was helpful and more importantly that the message of Liberty has touched everyone deeply. Thank you to Steve and Lance for stepping up to the RSO roles so effeciently and thank you NBF for taking on a bucket to help! Thank you to the shoot boss and the other instructors for a wonderful day at a great range! Hope to see all of you on the Appleseed trail in the future!