Twenty three shooters and a handful of instructors arrived at the finest rifle range in the Republic to celebrate Patriots Day yesterday!
Since it was a one-day Known Distance event, it was fast paced. We started with welcoming a new volunteer, Shea (Corgi Mom) to the program as an Applecore member! ^:)^
Next, it was time for classroom instruction & safety. Then we moved to the line to shoot! During our break for lunch we discussed wind and Guardian shared some great history about the complicated life of Benedict Arnold, a pivotal figure in the Revolutionary War. Many thanks to the CMP for lining up lunch for us!
We returned to the line after lunch and got back to Rifleman's work! Lots of good learning, lots of great groups! My appreciation to the instructors (and shooter-instructors) who gave their time to help coach and encourage fellow shooters!
Towards the end of the day, we stopped for our Memorial Volley. It was good for my heart to know brothers and sisters in Manchester, TN and elsewhere were firing at time same time. :)
We finished up AQTs. It was obvious we had men and women who knew very well what they were about! Congratulations to:
Kyle: 41/50 Huzzah!
Dan: 41/50 Huzzah!
Shea: NEW RIFLEMAN and 41/50 KD! Huzzah!
Daniel: 42/50 Huzzah!
Mark: 46/50 Huzzah!
Lora: 47/50 Huzzah!
Sofjan: Distinguished 48/50 HUZZAH!!!
Joshua (Overmountain Man): Distinguished 49/50 HUZZAH!!!
Trevor: Distinguished 49/50 HUZZAH!!!
Jeff (Cleveland): Distinguished 50/50 HUZZAH!!!
Ben (Ramblin Wreck): Distinguished 50/50 - with a broken rifle that would not cycle correctly
But the most awesome shooter of the day was young Molly. Molly came with her dad and had no intention of shooting... buuuuuut... she agreed to try, grabbed a loaner rifle, and did great! Thank you for joining us on the line Molly and showing us all how to shoot like a girl!
As Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again." I challenge each of you to use that power and work tirelessly to increase Liberty!
Many thanks to Devin and her crew at the Talladega Marksmanship Park for a great day. On behalf of all the instructors (to whom I am indebted and grateful), thank you for allowing us the privilege of serving you yesterday.
v/r
Rusty
Young Molly accepting a pink hat!
(https://i.imgur.com/jdEYWLg.jpg)
Our new Rifleman, Corgi Mom, rocking a purple shirt, purple Patch, and purple Rifleman hat. Notice a trend here? Can you guess what color her rifle was?
(https://i.imgur.com/VU6iBOE.jpg)
Cleveland (middle) and 'Wreck... both who rocked out perfect scores.
(https://i.imgur.com/ye5eAWz.jpg)
Our traditional group photo with the statue of John C. Garand!
(https://i.imgur.com/qQIPPG1.jpg)
His sense of modesty wouldn't permit the Shoot Boss to point out that there were actually 3 perfect 50/50 scores yesterday. The third one was his. He only shot one AQT and aced it. A man who knows very well what he is about. Way to go little brother.
Wreck
Great shooters, awesome instructors, world's finest range, and beautiful weather! What's not to love? Congratulations to all of the shooters.