Piqua Ohio April 25th - 26th

[Skald]

Saturday, April 25th started off bright and early with six eager shooters and a fantastic number of instructors. First Strike   was delivered by Doc Willi, we started the events with safety briefing followed quickly by the first Hits Count target of the weekend, with one shooter, Chad, clearing—huzzah! We then began serious marksmanship instruction; our students were experienced and eager to learn. Shep stepped up over lunch and regaled us with the Second Strike.
After lunch, we shot more squares targets and continued marksmanship training and drills. It became very clear that we had an experienced line of shooters after our first AQT. Two shooters reconfirmed as Riflemen, with Chad coming in at a 239 (so close) and Mike scoring a very respectable 221. Jeff earned his Rifleman's patch with a solid 216—congratulations, Jeff! Chad reconfirmed his Distinguished patch later in the day with a score of 240! As the afternoon heat begin to build we took a break and Buzzard told us the story of third strike. We wrapped the day up with the final Hits Count target, and Chad once again cleared.

 Sunday morning was a bit cooler than the day before, with overcast skies but no rain in the forecast. After reviewing marksmanship instruction from the previous day and going over the safety rules, we shot our first Hits Count target. Mike was quite excited to once again clear another Hits Count—congratulations, Mike! It became apparent we had done something right the day before when one of the shooters commented, "Everything hurts, and I can't find my NPOA"—huzzah!
We shot quite a few squares targets, giving our now 6  shooters and three instructors on the line the opportunity to zero in their rifles. When all were ready we began shooting AQTs. Shadow870 re-qualified with a 232. Chad, who scored Rifleman on every AQT throughout the weekend, had a high score of 234. Jeff re-qualified multiple times, confirming the legitimacy of his patch, with a high score of 230. Mike re-qualified multiple times with a high score of 229. Coyote217 re-qualified multiple times with a high score of 221. Alen secured his Rifleman's patch with a solid score of 217—huzzah! Griffin re-qualified with a respectable 216.
When we broke for lunch, multiple instructors regaled our students with stories of Dangerous Old Men. Throughout the course of the day, we took multiple breaks and had a lot of fun learning about our heritage. In the afternoon we paused for our memorial Day volley, WildBillCody challenged shooters and instructors alike with a question. "Would you be willing to have your name listed on this document? Would you be willing to pay the price for Liberty?" At the end of the day, we shot our final Hits Count target—Jeff cleared! Huzzah!
It was a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to seeing each one of you out on the line again.

[Skald]

First strike of the match and second strike of the match

[Skald]

Third strike of the match!

[Skald]

Congratulations on earning your rifleman's patch Jeff!

[Skald]

Congratulations on earning your rifleman's patch Alen!

[Skald]

Re-qualifications!

[Skald]

Dangerous old men!

[Skald]

Hits count targets!

[Skald]

Hits count targets!

[Doc Willi]

We have a wonderful group of students and the weather was great!

[Learner]

I'd like to thank @Skald and all the other instructors who graciously donated their time this past weekend.

This was my very first Appleseed event, but I commit that it WILL NOT be my last!

Even though I've shot firearms for 5 decades or so, this was my first "official" rifle marksmanship course.  Appleseed gave me the ability to not only improve my marksmanship, but improve my knowledge of American history.

I was somewhat disappointed in the results of my first target, but tried to keep my mind open & LEARN.  It showed results, as my skills were honed hour after hour, ache after ache, day by day (great song by the way!).

I experienced one time being in "the zone."  It was the last target of the day - Hits Count.  Everything felt "right."  No need to brute force my sight onto the targets.  Breathe in....breathe out....SQUEEEEEEEZE.  NPOA is an amazing thing.

As I told folks at the event, my goal going in was mainly to out-shoot my "young son" Alan.   

I managed to do so, and harassed him properly.  On the second day, he earned his Rifleman's patch.

We both went in with an open mind, and both left as Riflemen.

This shows the strength of the Appleseed program, and its instructors.

Huzzah!

[Doc Willi]

Learner,
It was great having you and Alan on the line, and I look forward to seeing you at the next Appleseed.

Doc Willi

[Skald]

Learner,
 Thank you for coming out this past weekend, it was a lot of fun. Watching the joy come alive and someone's eyes when they realize that they've shot well is the reward we all seek as instructors. :-) Looking forward to seeing you and Alen on the line again.

[Sheepdog180]

A Great weekend watching Learner and Alan and Chad and Connor having father/son competition....better up your game if you want to beat Chad though! 

Connor, you represented our brotherhood well!  Keep coming back!

Huzzah!