Toccoa was blessed with unexpected beautiful weather (thunderstorms were predicted!) and sixteen students for the single day Appleseed event June 6. After the customary Safety Briefing, we quickly got into the marksmanship instruction so as to make best use of the precious time. Most of the attendees were first time Appleseed students and were commendably eager to learn. As the heat of the Georgia summer afternoon set in they all showed their gritty persistence as well. Besides learning Sling Use and Steady Hold Factors in the Prone Position, we covered Natural Point of Aim, the Six Steps (and the most important, the Seventh Step of spreading the message of Liberty and the legacy of the Founding Generation), Rifleman's Cadence, Talking Targets, and Inches-Minutes-Clicks. At lunch we heard the first two parts of the inspiring story of April 19, 1775. During the afternoon we learned the Sitting and Kneeling Positions, Transitions, and the Standing Position before we shot the first of two AQT targets, and heard the conclusion of the story of April 19 during our afternoon break. Our final target was the Redcoat or Hits Count! target, after which we had our benediction, a masterful rendition of Patrick Henry's "Liberty or death!" speech of March 23, 1775. A final cap to a perfectly delightful, but rather warm, day was awarding the red Instructor's hat to Fabricator's Girl, then posting the old Orange Hat to shoot it with a variety of centerfire rifles. The students were invited to share in this latter custom, and a number of them accepted.
This instructor was most impressed by the persistence and determination of our gallant students. But even more so by their thoughtful and discerning questions, and their enthusiasm for the story of the first day of our country's struggle for independence and true self government. It is sincerely wished that we see each and every one again, and that you share your experience widely. Blessings and huzza, all!
The map of April 19, 1775 rightfully and prominently placed
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5005.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5005.jpg.html)
Students and instructors downrange discussing groups
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5007.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5007.jpg.html)
Students attentively observing sling use, SHF and the prone position as instructed by fabricatorsgal and modeled by Cipher
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5008.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5008.jpg.html)
NPOA as taught by fabricatorsgal and modeled by Jambo
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5010.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5010.jpg.html)
Students implementing what they learned on the line :---
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5011.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5011.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5013.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5013.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5015.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5015.jpg.html)
Upon breaking for lunch we were all treated to the first 2 Strikes of the match.
Guitarzan telling us about the first Strike
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5018.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5018.jpg.html)
DrJohn regaled us with a telling of the Second Strike
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5020.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5020.jpg.html)
After lunch the students were able to wash things down as they again drank from the firehose of instruction.
DrJohn shown instructing the seated position with fabricatorsgal modeling
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5021.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5021.jpg.html)
Later we returned to the cover for a mid-afternoon break and a beautiful telling of the Third Strike by Jambo
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5023.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5023.jpg.html)
The day closed up with Morpheus's benediction and his recitation of Patrick Henry's famous, "Give me Liberty or give me death" speech
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5024.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5024.jpg.html)
Jacob is shown accepting his well-earned Luther Blanchard patch. Huzzah!
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5026.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5026.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5027.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5027.jpg.html)
Last, but not least fabricatorsgal was presented with her red hat. :bow: Congratulations and well-earned! Huzzah!
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5028.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5028.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5031.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5031.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5032.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5032.jpg.html)
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/RoswellC/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5033.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/RoswellC/media/Toccoa%20GA%20AS%206-6-15/IMG_5033.jpg.html)
This really was a great day at Toccoa!!
We had beautiful, warm weather and a bunch of shooters who had a fire for rifle marksmanship. Since this was a single day event we had the firehose of instruction turned up a little higher than normal. It always seems like we never have enough time to cover as much material as we want to, but we instructors were rewarded with seeing some much improved groups during this day. And, it was a wonderful sight to see the brimming smiles after a sun-filled, sweaty day! Although we didn't get any new riflemen it was evident that we had many determined shooters who will return for another chance at the Rifleman Patch! O0
Congratulations to FabricatorsGal on earning her Red Hat! It was a special treat to see instructors and shooters alike on the firing line giving her old Orange Hat a proper retirement. :---
It was gratifying indeed to have so many of the first time shooters approach me after the shoot and thank me for how much they learned about marksmanship and about the story of April 19, 1775. That is a true testament to the instructors who made this shoot the success that it was. Thank you all for your help! And thank you shooters for your time and persistence!
I do hope to see each and every shooter again soon at another event. Remember, a rifleman persists!!