Project Appleseed

I'm going to remember this shoot as our family reunion.

Most of our 25 students were returning for their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Appleseed, so most everybody knew each other and many of the shooters were actually family and friends. We knew we were going to have a good time and every one of my IITs were excited about the groups we saw on the very first square we shot Saturday morning.

We knew we would be making a lot of Riflemen this weekend, our only question was, who was going to get there first.

We had time for only one AQT on Saturday and we had several people knocking on the door but we had to wait for Sunday to see who was going to earn the patch first, we all had our favorites but they were all well matched.

We didn't have to wait long today to get our answer. At 11:30 we started the first AQT and at 12:00 Audry (Half-a-clip) brought me a target that added up to 218, Jim (Hat Trick 123) posted a 217, and Jack (Jim's dad)put up a 213. It's great to see that many Riflemen on your first AQT of the day!

Next came Anthony (L!ppen) with a 211

On the third AQT Danielle (D'Annie O) got a 211 and the proceded to shoot four more Rifleman scores, 217, 216, 219 and capped them with a 230, all with a tube fed bolt action rifle.

Jacob (Tank) showed the persistence of a true Rifleman and in the midday heat posted a 210, and of course Jules was there to help cool him off with a bit of ceremonial North Bridge water.

Six riflemen out of 24 and half of them under the age of 18, that more than enough to please this shoot boss and a nice reassurance that our future is in good hands.

As a bonus two of my IITs (Jules and NorCal22Gal) turned in their ITPCs and we retired their orange hats in style! We place NorCal22Gal's hat on the left side of the line and Jules' hat on the right side of the line and turned the students loose on them. Sporting new Red Hats NorCal22Gal and Jules posed for picture with what was left of their old IIT trappings.

Making two new Instructors left a bit of a gap in my IIT ranks... but not for long! With so many return shooters topping 210 we ended up with 5 new IITs Jacob (Tank), Jack (Draggin Wood), Jim (HAT TRICK 123), Bob (Pinbreaker), and Danielle (D'Annie O)

I'm glad we are getting an IBC here in Sacramento soon, because at this rate we may have to rent a hall to fit all the new IITs, what a nice problem to have.

By the end of the shoot we no longer felt like students and instructors. Instead somewhere along the way we all became Appleseeders together and our family is growing by leaps and bounds.

A good portion of our merry little band will be in Lemoore next weekend to do it again, and I can hardly wait!

Hi Bald Dragon, just wanted to thank you and all of the instructors in Sacramento once again for all the help and the opportunity to join the IIT program and help others. My dad is still working on a nickname. He will be logging in soon. Jim D.

Although I was there for different reasons it was a pleasure to meet you.   

This was one of the easiest Appleseeds I have had the privilege of staffing.  The first set of squares showed me that we were going to be seeing a large number of riflemen.  The majority of the groups were less than 6 MOA!

We had the opportunity to chase a few hardware gremlins like creeping scopes, loose tech sights, and missing extractors, but these were like small cracks on a long road.  Yes if you focus on that crack it is annoying, but if you focus on your destination the crack/gremlin is quickly overcome and forgotten.

The home schooled community was represented by a group of youth that give me a refreshed feeling of hope.  These young men and ladies are the future leaders of this country, and I slept better last night knowing that youth of this caliber exist in California.  For these fine young people to take up the Orange Hat is a blessing to our program.

HatTrick123's dad proved a few things this weekend:
1.  He is a rifleman, both in score and in his heart.  This he proved by fighting through physical difficulties and pain and still persisting when it was by no means easy.
2.  He is a big man.  I do not mean physical stature, I mean that this rifleman has the ability to see beyond the short term, to see through the difficulties to a goal.  His private conversation with me Sunday evening reinforced my opinion that this man is someone who will be an asset to Appleseed.

To the parents of the homeschooled youth.  Thank you for bringing your children to Appleseed.  Yes I am always glad to see young people at an event, but more than that I thank you for what you have done with your children, for helping them become the exceptional young men and women that I had the privilege of interacting with this weekend.  They are a bright light that renews my faith in the youth of today.  Because you choose to bring them to an Appleseed you gave me a gift of hope for the future, a gift that I cannot ever repay.

To the scout leaders that talked to me about ways to get their youth to an Appleseed:  Do not surrender, this can be done, together we can make this happen.  But we must do it within the guidelines of the Scouting program.  Let me know if you need help, I will gladly work with you to find a way through the forest of regulations.

To the Orange/Red/Green hats:  Thank you for a great weekend, your dedication to the program and to its participants is phenomenal.  No outsider would ever believe that this is a program that is run by volunteer instructors.

Quote from: BaldDragn on May 31, 2010, 03:40:29 AM

Six riflemen out of 24 and half of them under the age of 18, that more than enough to please this shoot boss and a nice reassurance that our future is in good hands.

As a bonus two of my IITs (Jules and NorCal22Gal) turned in their ITPCs and we retired their orange hats in style! We place NorCal22Gal's hat on the left side of the line and Jules' hat on the right side of the line and turned the students loose on them. Sporting new Red Hats NorCal22Gal and Jules posed for picture with what was left of their old IIT trappings.

Making two new Instructors left a bit of a gap in my IIT ranks... but not for long! With so many return shooters topping 210 we ended up with 5 new IITs Jacob (Tank), Jack, Jim, Bob (Pinbreaker), and Danielle (D'Annie O)

I'm glad we are getting an IBC here in Sacramento soon, because at this rate we may have to rent a hall to fit all the new IITs, what a nice problem to have.

By the end of the shoot we no longer felt like students and instructors. Instead somewhere along the way we all became Appleseeders together and our family is growing by leaps and bounds.

A good portion of our merry little band will be in Lemoore next weekend to do it again, and I can hardly wait!

I know I say after each Appleseed, that "this is the best one ever!" Well, for many reasons, THIS ONE was the best one ever.  NorCal22Gal and I have worked our way up the Appleseed ladder with one another. We have encouraged each other, worried about whether we were ready, worried about how much history we could retain in our noggins, and if we had anything to offer in the way of rifle instruction. NorCal22Gal rocked this weekend. And my heartfelt thanks to her for taking the line for me at lunch yesterday, when the Sacramento turned ugly hot. Appleseed folks are truly my family.

Getting my Red hat was one of the goals I had set for 2010. I am humbled by the responsibility, and will do my best to represent Appleseed in all ways. When D'Annie O and Tank took their Orange hats, they wished that Romeo's Hero and Double D had been there to see them. This shows how an Appleseed of individual instruction can positively impact our Posterity. So Juliette and Dex, you were well loved and well missed this weekend by us, and a family of new IIT's that you helped nurture.

We had Audrey's ( Half Clip, who will take an Orange hat in Lemoore next weekend, as she needs two Appleseeds ) mother and aunt on the line ( Twin sisters!) I cannot say enough about how responsible, respectful, focused, and happy this extended family can be. When I saw that Danielle and Jacob were back, I was ecstatic! Danielle had the perfect posture of a Riflewoman the first time we laid eyes on her, as did her brother. Those cousins were shoulder to shoulder in the line, with their mom and aunt, dad and family friends to cheer them on. I have no doubt that Hot Shot ( Audry's brother Austin) will make his Rifleman soon. He is not about to be left in the dust of his sister and cousins! Did I mention this whole family was a delight? They were awesome.

On the other end of the line I had Bob, Scott, Jim and Jack. My thanks to Bob for helping Scott with his AR day one ( at least I had a tool for the sights that worked) Jim and Jack have been to a few Seeds before, and when out here on the range, always stop in to say hi, or Rod heads down to the line to schmooze with them. They are rare in this day and age, as they are true gentlemen. They have always had an extra chair under their Easy - Up aka "Man Cave", and know that I don't do heat well. They give me water, encouragement, and shade, along with the emotional support that kept me going this weekend. Gentlemen: I thank you from the bottom of my heart. That being said: Jim had a very cool Savage 64 with a beautiful wooden stock that I admired. he offerred to let me shoot it once we had officially closed the Appleseed for Sunday. I was so whupped, sun stroked, and in pain. I didn't want to keep them waiting as we did the tear down and pack up, so I asked Jim if I could shoot it next time. He kind of cocked his head and said, "Yeah, sure". I asked if they had stayed this long just to let me do so, and he said yes. And then he told me that Bald Dragn told him that he didn't think I could shoot that rifle, that the barrel was too heavy for me, and that I couldn't manage the mags.   Oh, really. That was a major throw down for THIS Riflewoman. So to the mat I headed; proceeding to put 50 rounds downrange on this sweet sweet rifle. He patiently showed me how to load it, where the mag release was. In short: Jim is already a great IIT! Once BD, EagleScouter, NorCal22Gal and I were back at the house, I asked " you didn't think I could shoot that?" And BD said " I never said anything like that!" Sneaky Jim. Sneaky Sneaky Jim. He also has what it takes to motivate a tired achy shooter into action. Smart man, thank you.

Our son Hambone brought L!ppen ( I have watched them grow up together in the last decade or more ) and my other daughter ( I tend to collect them ) Gwendolyn. They all stayed here at the Dragon's Lair, and were a delight to have around. L!ppen was intent on shooting a Rifleman's score and did. Gwendolyn was sent home with an LTR, a sling, mags, and some targets. She didn't realize how difficult this would be, and how blasted hot Sac was this weekend. She will return with another woman in tow when the weather cools down this fall. By then, with enough practice with her SHF and NPOA, she should not have a problem reaching a Riflewoman's score.

We met friends of EagleScouter and NorCal22Gal's from Redding. They came down and camped here at the Range. They were a delight. They both have shot Rifleman up in Red Bluff, but Chris ( the Riflewoman ) wasn't sure that she had actually done so, the .30 cal rule made her doubt it, so she came down to challenge herself, and re shot a Riflewoman's score. She left happy.

James E made a cameo appearance on Saturday ( which was much needed, as we were a tad short IIT's) and reminded us that this was Memorial Day weekend, and gave us the names of those who fell at Lexington Green. It was poignant in all ways, as James and his lovely wife Ruth are preparing to move to San Antonio Texas. He has been a wonderful mentor and friend, and I will miss them terribly. Enough to actually travel to Texas to work a shoot with him. ( Again, I really don't do heat well )

So, the house is quiet, and looking a bit rumpled, as do I. Once I unpack my car, and find my camera, pictures will be posted. ( Artkat may have to re size them again,lol)

And as Bob 210 often says "Do you believe we GET to do this?"

Yessir, I do. And I feel blessed to be one among many.

Hey, Bulkhead, can I have my Red Sweatshirt NOW?  

love to you all, see you on the Trail!


Jules

PS: Artkat, I downsized the pics myself! Woot
PPS: the Pic of Hambone dancing with rifle, is Massachusetts legal, not a heinous breech in safety.
PPPS: Bulkhead: NorCal22Gal and I need RH gear for S Cal Shoot. 

Quote from: chiller on May 31, 2010, 02:36:39 PM
Although I was there for different reasons it was a pleasure to meet you.  

It's always a special pleasure to have suprise visit from an out of town Appleseeder. Remember if your ever in the area stop in at the first house on the left for a visit.

I'm glad to see that Boulder City is gaining support and hope to see a BC Appleseed staffed by all local talent soon. After seeing your perfect 4th stage I have no doubt that you posses all the skill to excell as an Instructor.

Keep up the good work!

Congratulations Jules and NorCal22Gal, I'm sure I'm not alone is saying that I never had any doubts about your abilities and we look forward to seeing the AAR reports of your own shoots soon 

And congrats to all those other fine riflemen and riflewomen who returned and give so much back to us.

Congrats.
V

Hey Bald Dragon, Jules, Eaglescouter, NorCall22Gal, Hambone, and James E,

First of all I would like to thank all of you and all the IITs and Red Hats that have been apart of the last four Appleseeds in Sacramento. Without all of your patience, determination and undaunted efforts I would have never been able to shoot rifleman scores. It has taken seven months and four Appleseeds to get rid of the bad habits and develop some skills.

I also want to thank my son, HAT TRICKI 123 for all of his encouragement along the way. I look foreward to working with all of you in the near future.

Jack D / "Draggin Wood"

WOW  WOW   WOW   WOW   WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best way to describe the weekend.  I met wonderful new people, saw lots of familiar faces,  spent time with my appleseed sac family and retired my orange hat!!!

Jules you said it...we've come up through the Appleseed ranks pretty much together, encouraging and helping each other.  It is a true pleasure to have received my bright shiny new red hat with you.  And to have received it on the same range that i got my rifleman score and patch at.

Standing on the line Sunday watching 4 young men and ladies shooting for their rifleman...wondering who was gonna be first...hearing them encourage each other along the way was the best.  Seeing audry's face when we scored her stage 4..a wonderful 94...wow.   watching the determination in D'Annie O's face as she first hit the dreaded wall then scaled it and scored not just 1 rifleman score but 5!!!, amazing.  Tank not to be left behind...maybe he decided he could use a bit of drenching...got his rifleman..hotshot  almost there...you'll get it...climb the wall, practice, practice practice.

Gwen..awesome job for a first time ever shooting....keep working on it it'll get there!!!

Jim, Jack welcome welcome....

Chris, I knew the rifleman patch was well earned before, now it's really earned. Great to see you and Mikeeee on the line anytime.

Bob, welcome to you as well, I know you well be a wonderful addition to the family.

To all the other shooters, you were an awesome group to work with. 

Thanks again for the hat retirement ceremony.

Oh yeah...Tank and Hotshot....thanks for finding the rest of my hat....


NorCal22Gal

Congratulations to Jules and NorCal22Gal! Welcome to the ranks of the CA Red Hats! The two of you have persisted and persevered and crossed another hurtle on the Appleseed trail. The RWVA is well represented by both of you under the Red Hat and I am looking forward to following the continuation of your journey along the Appleseed Trail. May you shoot straight and may your Steady Hold Factors never fail you. May the NPOA of your teaching ability continue to coincide with the respective students that attend your future Appleseed Clinics and may you continue to pass on Marksmanship and Heritage the rest of your days. God Bless you and keep you, protect you and guide you. Wear the mantle well and never let this nation forget about the Founders and their sacrifices.

JULES & NorCal22Gal, congratulations!

Jules, I'm so Look! A Squirrel! glad to hear that the IMC worked out. Looking fwd to seeing you & BD on the trail someday. (Kenton, OH, hint, hint).

Warm regards to you the rest of the excellent CA crew.
-FM

Jules, NorCal22Gal,

Good job and Congratulations to both of you! 

It's a long way from that IBC we all went to last year, isn't it? 


Chris

Quote from: Chris_H on June 02, 2010, 03:19:32 AM


It's a long way from that IBC we all went to last year, isn't it? 


Chris

Yes it is, Chris! I managed to
run a line without my 'colorful' language. This is growth.

love Jules

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!   Jules has been a model of perserverance that I wish I could emulate.... and I, for one, am glad to see her stick it out and get that Instructor's red hat!!!  As if she had a choice...  But she did have a choice and took it full on.
I can't wait to work a shoot that YOU are shoot bossing. That alone would be worth the trip up there!!!

Seriously, Jules (aka: Scrappy) .... Congratulations.


And what can I say about NorCal22gal. I remember her working admin for me at a shoot that I shoot bossed in Sacramento on Jun 13-14, 2009, then later that weekend, shot her rifleman score... She was sooooo proud, as you can see in her Avatar picture... She got a little color that day..     I am very proud you made it, as I remember you balking at the orange hat at first, I think you were scared of what it entailed. 

You also met the call, not quite so head on, but slowly and persistently, and 'YOU MADE IT!"     

Now, a new chapter for both of you... there are many future women and girl Appleseeders that will be looking up to you (some men too), and seeing that they might one day be able to be an instructor, too!!! 


Great job, both of you....


Cam

L!ppen here.

This was my first appleseed...

I had a great time, learned a lot of rifle positions, and even more historical knowledge.

I barely made rifleman, but that's just incentive to try harder next time.

Thank you all for your support and assistance i could not have achieved a rifleman score without your input.

This was by far above and beyond anything i could have ever imagined an "Appleseed shoot" to be.

Hope to see familiar faces next shoot! (And some new faces!)

Maybe next shoot i will be able to "Shoot like a girl"   

5 expert AQT's! 

Hey L!ppen...D'Annie O can show you how to do that!!

It was great to meet you. You did a great job.

Look forward to seeing on the trail!

NorCal22Gal.

I wasn't at this Appleseed but I want to congratulate Jules and NorCal22Gal on the red hats, way to go. You two are an asset to the program.
Darn, if I'd known we got to shoot the old orange hats I'd  have snuck away from my obligations for some hat blastin'.
Good work you two!
pg

It was a blast...pun intended...  Eaglescouter said if he'd known he would  have brought his 03A3......

You guys were missed.

My Photos:

More Photos.  The board says 40 per post is the limit, but it's actually 20 per post

...

I'm really happy with those last three pictures.

One shows the event staff on the left and all the new riflemen on the right (I should have switched places with L!ppen)

The next one shows all the new riflemen for the shoot.

And the last one shows all the new IITs that stepped up to help us teach our fellow Americans.

Events and students like these set the bar pretty high!

Quote from: FuzzyMath on June 01, 2010, 04:50:36 PM
JULES & NorCal22Gal, congratulations!

Jules, I'm so Look! A Squirrel! glad to hear that the IMC worked out. Looking fwd to seeing you & BD on the trail someday. (Kenton, OH, hint, hint).

Warm regards to you the rest of the excellent CA crew.
-FM

Gordon,

We SO have to get some shirts made for us that say " IMC, ADD, and...........look there's a Squirrel" I must look into this. Just remind me. ha ha ha

Thanks for your encouragement,

Jules