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We shot rifles, and got a lot better at it. Hurlburt Field is a private venue, so close to the Gulf of Mexico you can almost spit in it. That club has been generating an increasing number of shooters for over a year now, all ages, all abilities, and turning out a high percentage of Riflemen who soon take the coveted Orange Cap. In another couple years it will be self-sustaining, always growing. People come back with family members, or the whole family comes. There were lots of new shooters too.
April 18 began with 20 shooters and intermittent rain. There is cover over the benchrests back behind, but that's not suitable territory for riflemen or women. Pop-ups is all the protection there is unless the wind blows, then it gets exciting. The day ended with 16 shooters toughing it out in worsening weather. The crowd was tougher though. Applecore Alchemist was anchoring the starboard end of the line with several first-time shooters. 10yo Ethan got 3 rounds off on a square you could cover with a shirt button, so there was talent to spare. Kyla held down the port side of the line, IIT Okimic ran the line with zip and authority, and we made it through the first AQT.
Sunday was a bust, though, with tornadoes touching down East and West of the base before 8 a.m., no warning when you're already next to the water. Shoot Boss called that one off as a re-schedule. Four shooters made it to Pensacola the following Sunday, and showed increasing confidence and skill levels.
Sunday was also April 19, a Memorial Volley was scheduled for the fallen of 1775. That was performed as well at Pensacola on April 26, now for then. What we fail to remember we eventually forget forever, as if it never happened. But then, that's not the Rifleman way.
This is a good venue for Appleseed. Rangemaster Michael Sheehan reports lots of positive feedback from the Appleseed events, with shooters requesting more. Looks like that is going to happen. That's a good thing for our country.