Project Appleseed

Saturday morning, our students arrived under a cool overcast sky.  This would prove to be no problem at all.  After introductions and a safety brief, we prepared for our morning Redcoat.  Some of our students had been there before and it showed.  A half-dozen shingles and three cleared targets.  Some squares, a little instruction, then the tone for the remainder of the weekend was set by the First Strike.  The Instructors worked hard to convey all the students could absorb.  The students paid attention and it showed up on the targets.  The Second Strike concluded our lunch break and something became apparent.  Almost every conversation I overheard was about marksmanship or history.  More instruction, more coaching, the targets kept looking better.  The Third Strike came mid-afternoon and everyone was listening closely enough that the light rain didn't even matter.  Saturday afternoon's Redcoat scores showed the progress.

Sunday morning started out with a safety brief, drizzling rain and a really cool treat.  One of our volunteers is a reenactor and he gave a demonstration of the Brown Bess.  AND A CANNON!  HE BROUGHT A CANNON!  Everyone loved it.  A million questions followed.  They'd been digging the history on Saturday, now they were hooked.  Morning Redcoats.  More instruction.  Dangerous old men.  AQT's.  All good things must end, it was finally time for our Sunday afternoon Redcoat.  It was a good day.  A day that ended with the reminder that we have been given something special.  Something unique.  We must steward it well.  In the words of Dr, Warren, we must act worthy of ourselves.

This was my first event as a Shoot Boss and I need to thank my instructors for making it run so smoothly.  A few notable things happened.  1)  The Analog Kid somehow forgot his Orange Hat on the target line and it was positively ventilated during the next string of fire.  We had to give him a Red Hat to wear home.  Congratulations, Henry!  2)  Just a couple years ago I saw a boy barely able to hold up a rifle and this weekend Oliver scored 150-something consistently.  3)  Elizabeth has been to a few Appleseeds and struggled through every one.  Saturday the pieces came together and Sunday she cleared a redcoat and broke 200.  4)  This was Ben's first Appleseed.  I think the weekend made an impression.  He said he's coming back for his Rifleman patch and an Orange hat.  5)  Andy cleared all four Redcoats.  It was an exceptionally good weekend.

Yours in liberty,
Ohio Piper

This was another great event held at Orwell. I have to admit that it was a little weird for me to not be running the event here at Orwell. Actually, it was really cool! It was a well-run event and everything was smooth as glass. The engagement of the history from the students was welcome to see and also their marksmanship skills improved significantly. Good job OP.

It was a great time in Orwell. My son and I came down from Michigan and met a friend that joined us for a great weekend of instruction, history and shooting. Neither of us reached the 210 mark, but had a great time trying. Practice makes perfect they say and we all showed progress. Great bunch of instructors and fellow shooters. Ohio Piper, you did a great job for your first time as a Shoot Boss. Henery, sorry about that orange hat you had, we all tried to make sure it had enough ventilation for you. Congratulations on the red hat!
As General McArther once said, "I shall return" 
Live Free or Die,
Rampart.

Ohio Piper:
Thanks for a great weekend! Looking forward to seeing you on our side of the state line!!

Rampart:
It was nice meeting you Michiganders!
You need to let me know when you go for your Red Hat. I need to return the favor of perforating your Orange one!