Phoenix, AZ April 22-23 2023 Patriots Day event

[mr6actual]

WOW!! Where to start... an APRIL Appleseed event to a sold out +1 group, a first event for an Instructor in Training as well as a Shoot Boss in Training and an impromptu Bagpipe performance during the Memorial Volley Ceremony. What an incredible event this weekend that did well to honor our mission.

Appleseed returned to Ben Avery Shooting Facility for the first time in several years.  It was a sold out event of 10 Shooters. A last minute cancellation and two same day Walk-On's made the final count 11 shooters. Three of those shooters were youth, (14, 16 and 16). Of the 11 shooters, 5 were first time Appleseeders.

The skillsets, (and ages) ranged from beginner to advanced.  The Arid-Zona heat began to make it's presence known just shy of noon on both days. Saturday was focused on History and Instruction with Sunday's focus on the AQT grind.  We were honored to participate in the Memorial Volley Ceremony at our designated time.  What made this even more profound was that one of the shooters and first time Appleseeder, Lucas, just happened to have his bagpipes in the car and took it upon himself to play Amazing Grace during the reading of the names. The ceremony was stirring and the bagpipes provided an extra feeling of somberness, honor, respect and even emotion to a few.  Overall it was a very successful event.

10 shooters returned for the morning of Day 2 and before the days end we had two shooters earning Riflemen scores.

Lucas, our unofficial Applseed Bagpiper and first time Appleseeder, scored Rifleman two times, one of which was a Distinguished Riflemen with a score of 233 using iron sights. Lucas, your Designated patch is on it's way soon.
Chris,  a repeat Appleseeder and one who admits to expounding the virtues of our program to anyone that will listen, was our second Riflemen who also scored Riflemen two times.  While neither were quite ready to take an Orange hat immediately, both committed to sport a blue hat and help out at any future events they attend.

Also a special shout out to the Comus family of 4 whose desire and perseverance though the grind and Arizona heat reminded me of the motto, "Riflemen Persist!" While most of our Day 2 shooters left around 2:30 PM, the Comus family stayed until 5:00PM trying to grind out that elusive Riflemen Score. The Patriarch of the group just shy of patching, scoring 202 while one of his 16 year old sons bested him by 1 to reach 203. But they all had a great time and are looking forward to attending the next event with even more family in tow.

Redcoat Tracker

Day 1 Morning  (11 Shooters)
100     200     300     400     Shingle     Clear
4          2                   3                             

Day 1 Afternoon (11 Shooters)
100     200     300     400     Shingle     Clear
1          2        3         3           3            1   

Day 2 Morning  (10 Shooters)
100     200     300     400     Shingle     Clear
            4          2        3          5             1               

Day 2 Afternoon (5 Shooters)
100     200     300     400     Shingle     Clear
            1                   4                             


Ben Avery Shooting Facility Link
https://www.azgfd.com/shooting-sports/ben-avery-shooting-facility/basf-amenities/

Pics of the event to follow