Project Appleseed

This was the debut Appleseed event at this fine range in the Central Hudson River Valley region of New York, on the east side of the Hudson.  And IMO it was an absolute success!

Setup on Friday evening was mostly complete before the thunder storm rolled through, and Josey Wales and myself suffered only a minor soaking.  Although scattered rain was forecast during the weekend, the weather was good to us and we experienced no rain at all.  The temps, however, were somewhat surprising.  Saturday all day was simply HOT!  The range we were using is shaped like a valley, with 20' high berms on three sides - airflow is nearly non-existent, and the 81 degree afternoon temp felt closer to 95.  Shooters and instructors hydrated often and we persevered.  Sunday was significantly cooler until after the event was officially ended and we were packing up.

We had both male and female shooters spanning all abilities and age ranges.  All were very dedicated to the program and the instruction proceeded quickly.  Improvement was remarkable in most cases (although it's tough to improve upon the skills of our own longrange - attending as a shooter at this event - who shot a 234 while having a 'bad day' (he cleaned Stage 4 with a perfect 100, negating three missing holes in Stage 2!).  The other Rifleman score achieved over the weekend was by a gentleman shooting a bolt-action .22.  Our two youngest shooters were real troopers, sticking out the entire weekend despite the extreme heat (and in one case, consistent multiple Fail to Feeds during the AQTs on Sunday).  This was a fine, dedicated and determined group of Americans!

I'd like to thank the Whortlekill Rod & Gun Club for hosting our program, and for providing breakfast & lunch both days for a modest cost.  We were very well fed.  Our contact at the club, Norm, indicated that all of the club members who were present during the weekend were quite impressed with our program, and a return trip to this club for another Appleseed will be highly recommended to the Directors and Members.  I look forward to this.  Nick also recruited a secondary BOTG from the club to plaster the surrounding area with Appleseed fliers.

Thanks also goes to the instructor crew:  Josey Wales (SB), Dakota (RHI), Tuscarora (IIT) and yours truly.  This is a dedicated and capable group of instructors whom I look forward to meeting and working with in the future.  Thanks to you all!

Finally, thank you to the folks who gave up their weekends to attend this event, to improve their rifle marksmanship skills, and to learn the little-know history of the events of April 18 & 19, 1775 - the sacrifices and choices made by common men and women to give us the legacy we now have, and must preserve for future generations of Americans!

Pictures will be added shortly I'm certain.

Another Great Weekend at a nice facility.
A range with actual grass under my feet makes me miss Calverton

Big Thanks to the Whortlekill RGC for having us, if you're in the area check it out.
They have all kinds of amenities including a new state of the art indoor pistol range, and an indoor Archery area too --->
Nick did a lot of footwork to get us in this place, and they welcomed us in, even made us pancakes!

The more instructors I get to work with, the more I realize I'm in the right place.
Thanks again to Josey Wales, Another DOM, and Tuscarora.


What a Glorious Day for America!


Picture of the range area.


Josey Wales teaching the shooters "Flag" history.


Firing Line.


Mike shooting Nick's modified special.


I'm sure glad Gunny's on our side!


We saw a lot of Mark's feet this weekend!


Derek and Mark checking my facts....


Sunday Morning "review". Get that sling up high!


Ed shot "Rifleman" with a bolt gun, next stop... African Safari with a 375 H&H!


Mark doing the third strike in the Clubhouse.


All Ready on the Left?!


This guy's got to be part Whittemore!

Nice job by all.

Thanx to all of you for what you do.

Where would America be with out Volunteers and Rifleman...

mark

Just wanted to say this was a great event.  I'm still very new to appleseed but I am constantly impressed by the type of people I keep meeting through the program, instructors, shooters, and the ranges that host these events.  Despite the heat and sleep deprivation it was a good time and I feel like I learned alot.  Joesy Wales, Dakota, and Another D.O.M. I look forward to working with you again.

Tusky out

..I went to my daughter Maya's kindergarden graduation yesterday and something happened there that lead me to tears of joy.  I sat in the stiffling auditorium with my family awaiting the beginning of the ceremony.  Low and behold the kindergarden color guard comes marching in as proud as can be.  Now please put yourself in my mind set, as I sit in the auditorium looking around examining my surroundings I can see I am surrounded by many different types of immigrants.  Take note that Queens is the most diverse place on Earth and that is a fact, not just my opinion.  I could not even try to assume where all these different types of families are from.  I assure you the verity is vast and far.  I sit and wonder about our country America and has this melting pot gone to far?  Do these people care about Liberty? All of a sudden my wondering mind is brought back in the moment when the 100 or so kindergardeners ask us to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.  I stand proud and watch as the recital of the Pledge is like the roar of a loin and entrances the parents watching.  Do they all know what it is about? I do not know.  Do they understand the English language? I do not know.  I do know that the children on the stage were on there first steps to becoming American in the flesh and mind and heart.  I do know that a public school in the Borough of Queens can take a lot of criticism from other parts of our Nation.  I must attest to the fact that these  teachers both young and old made me proud, and the kindergarden children who graduated that day made me proud, the pride swelled so that I had to hold back tears of joy.  I know why I Appleseed, I know what I am supposed to do.  I feel righteous in my way and I APPEAL TO HEAVEN for the Strength & Honor to carry on.  In the name of the children, the posterity of America...........Let us Appleseed............ 

..Thank you so much to Norm and Whortekill Rifle and Pistol Club, I hope our future will be strong and long in the name of our cause..

..Thank you to my Instructor crew, ADOM, Dakota and Tuscarora, you made me proud.  I know that you make me look good as a Shoot Boss and I thank you for your work..

..Thank you to the patron's who showed an interest in our message and who worked hard this weekend to attain the skills of the Riflemen,  we have a lot of work to do, Appleseed needs you, our Nation needs you..

............Strength & Honor.......Join or Die...................Josey Wales................

....For Good People...Anytime......Anywhere.......................JW...........

 

Nick, you are a good man, I am proud to know you and call you a Friend,,,,

Anytime, Anywhere, I'll be there,,,

Stoner

 Could you guys comment on what you did to help the one shooter adapt on the sitting position and standing position.  How did you help him learn to transition and become stable in sitting and was he able to be relatively stable in standing?  Were there any lessons learned or ideas that you discovered worked best? It is great to see him out there shooting.  What you learn would help others to learn as in the future I'm sure we will see more of the disabled population at our shoots.

Quote from: Spartan on June 26, 2011, 10:26:49 AM
Could you guys comment on what you did to help the one shooter adapt on the sitting position and standing position.  How did you help him learn to transition and become stable in sitting and was he able to be relatively stable in standing?  Were there any lessons learned or ideas that you discovered worked best? It is great to see him out there shooting.  What you learn would help others to learn as in the future I'm sure we will see more of the disabled population at our shoots.

..I believe the man's name was Scott.  He was a two day shooter and did not come back on Sunday, due to sunburn.  Scott was doing a great job all day Saturday, and asked for no extra help and did not need any special attention.  I tried to treat him as if he was just another man on the line.  All of his positions were steady and up to standard.  When we got to transitions and the Greene's, I spoke to Scott and mentioned about staying in the preparation period position so not to have to transition.  He knew it even before I mentioned it and that work out fine for him.  I did not get to personal with Scott and gave him the space to work.  He handled himself like a pro and had the situation under control as far as I could tell.  Different folks will need different levels of attention depending on the dynamics.  In a situation like an adaptive shooter I try to read the shooter and if I see strength I will give them space and let the patron dictate what it is he or she may need, I watch and help but not in a overprotective way, I want them to feel empowered and that I trust them, and I do..  Ofcourse I would never comprimise safety..
..Spartan, that was a great question to address and you helped me to reflect on my actions and responsibilities as a Shoot Boss....Thanks Brother..

..Scott, if your out there I hope to see you again some day on the line!!..

.........Strength & Honor....................Josey Wales........................................