AAR Leesburg, FL December 9-10, 2023

[Pirategirl]

Well it was an epic weekend in central Florida!  Ares Training Facility once again allowed a few brave men and women to prove how amazing our country can be.  We had almost a full line of 25, but 2 had to duck out moments before the shoot.  However, 2 more came as a walk on, so we had a full company of 25!  We enjoyed a plethora of instructors this weekend, and the level of instruction was above bore all weekend.  The weather treated us very nicely, and we even caught the very rare cool breeze on Sunday!  All in all a fine time was had by all.
A few among us know very well what they are about.  We had a few requalifications by instructors and a shooter or 2, but we had 2 brand new riflemen revealed, both under the age of 16!  A pair of brother and sister, though VERY COMPETITIVE with each other, were very happy and proud of each other.  I am sure we will have 2 new orange hats very soon.  Jemma and Ethan (red crayon) you have worked very hard to get it done, and you did!  Great job!  John and Rachel proved it wasn't luck and also requalified gaining the prized patch.  Other names of note, Andy!  This was your first Appleseed and you and your boy Evan both turned in some pretty amazing scores.  I was very impressed with Evan's attitude and commitment.  For such a young boy, he did not quit!!  A true American if I have ever seen one.  With that score of 173 for a first time shoot, you'll have that most coveted of prize very, very soon.  We had a few approaching the alarm lister season of life, and we were all so impressed with them!  Again their scores spoke to the level of skill and quality of shooting only time and patience can give.  I know we will see you guys on the line again.  We had the Hynson family show up again and prove that dry practice and determination can and will provide results!  Tasha whooped all of them in score, but with husband Scott turned in 2 SharpShooter scores and Aleah, who at the beginning of Saturday didn't know how to hold the rifle, turned in a whopping 132!!!  Outstanding!  Brother Tyler just squeaked above that with a solid 145!  We had another family determined to show that grandpa isn't the only one that can shoot in that family!  Brooke on first very first time out shot a 161!  Husband John not far off with a 142!  This family had a few young ones that couldn't make it back the second day, but I am very hopeful we get to see them again.  I know we all wish them the best, and can't wait to work with them again.  Chase for the first time at an Appleseed with a 141 couldn't make it back the second day, but I'm sure he will be back.  BIll, we can't wait to have you back again for another shoot!  You are about to crack this thing wide open!  We got to get your rifle all fixed up, and you will be a force to be reckoned with.  NICK!  What are we going to do with you?  A 201 and a 204?  MAN!  We will see you in January, that is all.  We are going to get you over the hump, stick with us! 

And then there was Davidjr.  turning in a resounding score of a perfect 250/250 to prove that dedication and hard work results in something fabulous and obtainable.  No one at the shoot had ever seen a 250 patch handed out, and for me to be the one is something I will NEVER forget.  It just proves that age has nothing to do with ability.  Young or old, shooting ability is something that needs to be practiced and maintained all year long.  Congratulations David!

Paul honed his skills and was promoted to full instructor.  I have worked with Paul many, many times, and to see his final step to achieve this goal is truly something I will cherish for a long time.  Everyone enjoyed shooting that orange hat to smithereens!  There were several requests to shoot an orange hat at every event.  If I have my way, by God I will try to get it done!  That is a heaping amount of fun! 

A fine group of shooters and instructors indeed provided us with a wonderful weekend full of firsts and experiences.  Thank you all.

https://imgur.com/gallery/PEJdw7z

[Pirategirl]

https://imgur.com/gallery/PEJdw7z

[rambo granny]

Very rewarding shoot for instructors too! Awesome Americans on the line both young and old with everything in between. Love these terrific family groups shooting together.
Kudos to our awesome shoot boss who made EVERYONE feel special and proud of their accomplishments.
Great teamwork among instructors.
VERY PROUD OF Paul whose "head turned red" after some great instruction. Watching you grow has been terrific.
Dave, you are our hero with the 250. Love seeing our younger IITs show how it's done.
Welcome new orange hats! You are needed! Thanks!
I'll share additional pics later when I stamp out some home fires.🤣

[Patriot1776]

Instructors were great, the attendees were also great, the weather cooperated- about as nice as weather gets in Florida.  It was a great event. I learned a lot even though this was the second anppleseed Event I attended, picked up more details.  And it's always fun to shoot. Happy that I attended.  Got to see a 250 which looking through the forums is not something that many people witness. 

[FarmerDave]

What a terrific weekend!

PirateGirl you and SeaSniper know how to put on a heck of a shoot and we are always thankful for the boundless energy you and all of the instructors involved pour in to each and every event. I absolutely love the number of husband/wife and family teams involved in this organization. Like the American Revolution, it wasn't just the soldiers in the field but the support of their families that ultimately allowed us to prevail. As true as it was in the past it will be now and in the future.

Before coming this past weekend I had a personal goal to see Ethan and Jemma qualify and of course hoped to see DavidJr (the boy needs a new forum name!) get his goal of a 250. This wasn't just simply a goal and a wish but an objective backed up by a lot of practice and hard work by Ethan and Jemma led by DavidJr. I was simply overwhelmed and proud to see all of that happen. What a fantastic achievement and continuation of advancement.

I honestly can't think of how this weekend could have gone any better then it did. I was very encouraging to see all of the first time shooters attending this weekend and all of the great comments I heard up and down the line throughout the weekend.

I say this all the time, but there simply is no finer folks than those whom I have had the pleasure to meet through Appleseeds. I look forward to future shoots.

Farmer Dave

[KOF]

I have to agree!  This was such a beautiful weekend.  I love seeing the enthusiasm and comradery of everyone helping each other improve their skills.  DavidJr, impressive score of 250!  Congratulations!  Glad I was able to  witness it.  I look forward to working with everyone again!

[rambo granny]

Such an exceptional event is most worthy of being preserved!
After some major hours burned, there's a 13 minute edited MUSIC video in my Dropbox (free)
It can be downloaded if you'd like to keep it.

High res edited video

[TheMenace]

Leesburg is the place to be. Congratulations to DavidJr on the 250! Excellent on the high number of Promotions--especially Paul!