Project Appleseed

Many people reading this have the great fortune of knowing Darrell Brown (Vaportrace) personally. Some have not. Here is an introduction to the man on the occasion of his stepping away from active volunteering in Project Appleseed.

Darrell hails from Wilson, NC. He joined Project Appleseed in 2017 and has served as instructor, shoot boss, and North Carolina state coordinator (before handing that job over to yours truly). In all of those capacities, Darrell always operated with good humor, grace, and unwavering generosity. As so many leaders in Project Appleseed do, Darrell holds those around him to high standards, but always with kind support and an instinct to educate.

On July 24 this year, Darrell officially retired from Project Appleseed. To me that news is the definition of bittersweet. I was immediately saddened, but at the same time filled with gratitude to have received mentorship from Darrell and to have gotten to spend some quality time with him. I am quite sure that I am not alone in those sentiments.

Here are two examples of Darrell's signature generosity. One evening during a multi-day event at the home range in Ramseur, Darrell grilled up a pair of big, beautiful steaks for himself and another instructor under the covered deck of the firing line. I happened to mention in passing that the cooking meat smelled wonderful. Darrell didn't hesitate for a second. He immediately exclaimed, "Do you want one? You can have mine!" I laughed, thinking he was teasing. But Darrell was dead serious. He was rather insistent that I take his steak, even though I protested that I had my own dinner, but thank you very much! I barely managed to convince Darrell to eat the meal he had meticulously made for himself and another friend.

The next day a different volunteer was looking for a spare official shirt for instructing. Darrell declared that he had an undershirt on, then he removed his own instructor shirt and handed it over. Until that moment I thought that giving someone the shirt off your back was just a figure of speech, but Darrell proved me wrong!

I am personally indebted to Darrell for his guidance, his model of heart-centered leadership, and for getting Project Appleseed on solid footing in North Carolina before my tenure as state coordinator. I hope you will all join me in wishing him well on all the roads before him now.

Tar Heel

Thanks for all you did, Darrell 
Best of luck in your future endevours.

Thanks for all you've done, Darrell.  I was only fortunate enough to meet you a couple of times, but I had the same take away that Dan described.  You're awesome and well loved by all who meet you.  You'll be missed.  I hope you'll be able to join us for a meal or drop in at the occasional shoots near you.

Many thanks for dedicating your time to Appleseed, Darrell.  We will miss you!

Darrell, thank you!  Those are very small words to convey a very large gratitude. 

Thanks Darrel. Take it easy and take care and of course keep your head down and the powder dry.

Darrel, I've not had the pleasure of meeting you, but as a member of this crazy extended family that is Appleseed, I am grateful to you for the years and effort you've given to the program we love, and wish you the very best in your retirement.

I think I'll let Roy Rogers say the rest...

Happy trails to you
Until we meet again
Happy trails to you
Keep smilin' until then
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather
Happy trails to you
'Til we meet again

Thank You Darrel for all the help with fixing up the range. Volunteers like you are instrumental in Maintaining a range. Thanks