Project Appleseed

This weekend event started Friday evening at range set-up.  More than half a dozen instructors transformed HISR's pistol playland into a 25m event in no time.  Saturday morning was bright and sunny for our Patriots' Day weekend. AH1Tom got things rolling with a fantastic First Strike.  Soon after, we had a full roster of 20 shooters firing downrange for the first Redcoats target.  The veteran shooters just needed a little rust knocked off and all seemed to benefit from the instruction and abundance of instructors on hand.  We had 7 shingles hit and vast improvement by the end of the day.  The four youths present received William Diamond Patches for their hard work, including our Applecore volunteer, Liberty Kid.  It's always a good day when the shooters leave smiling and talking about the history on their way to their cars.  Hardholder gave a great Third Strike.

We lost a few shooters Sunday morning that swore they'd be back to another event - we sure hope so.  The pace picked up and shooters responded fantastically to all the instruction.  We had our first AQT finished before lunch, three by the end of the day in addition to a moving memorial volley and DOM stories by AH1Tom, Hardholder, and Booney Stomper.  Joe and Charlie, each labeling themselves "beginner" riflemen, scored an impressive 214 and 220 respectively and earned their Rifleman Patches at their first Appleseed event!  Xanthe, Zack, Shalin, and Christopher were all knocking on that door.  Every shooter was getting good groups by the end of the weekend and many (if not all) promised to return.  Xanthe, Shalin, and Charlie all cleared their Redcoats Targets on Sunday - nice job!

The best part of the Patriots Day weekend was the families.  We had several work families, actual families, and of course the growing Appleseed family that spent the weekend soaking in history, marksmanship, and friendship.  At one point we had about as many instructors as we did shooters. We celebrated the improvement in the shooters; new riflemen; the new orange hat  - welcome Mossburg, aka Shotgun Small; new red hat - congratulations AnthonyB!!!; and my new green hat - thank you guys for all the help!  I look forward to seeing you all soon at another Appleseed.

This was a great event with 70% new shooters! The instructor ratio was excellent and they were one the line and down with their students. With the great weather and wonderful range, it was a pleasure to  participate. I look forward to returning.

Prepare for a photo dump! Feel free to save/share whatever you like. I'm glad I got to ride down for a while on Sunday! Congrats to all the new hats!
















































































Sometimes, you just need to jump for joy!

Looks like a great weekend! Congratulations to the new Riflemen and all the hat changes! So happy for my girl Upacreek! 

To all those who worked so hard to put on an exceptional event, thank you.  You make it look easy, but there's a huge amount of work behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to a weekend like this.  The combination of expertise and logistics is uncommon and appreciated.

My son and I had a great time--he's already looking forward to his next Appleseed and is structuring a plan to prepare in the meanwhile.  All of this only serves to inspire the only children to join in.

Rastus

Thanks to all the organizers and instructors for this event. Missed rifleman this time but I will be back. Looking forward to joining everyone for KD and pistol also.

Looks like a great shoot. Congratulation on your new green hat, looks good on you.

It was a great weekend, and I'm grateful to the excellent instructors and enthusiastic shooters who made it so!

Congratulations on a successful event with so many Riflemen and promotions! 

A great day for Appleseed is a great day for Liberty.