Onalaska, WA - AAR - April 19-20 2025

[CaptainRebop]

Early in the morning on April 19th, Americans mustered on a small green.  They had brought with them their firearms, ammunition, and supplies to keep them fresh for a full day.  The mood was friendly, neighborly, yet all knew that gunfire would surely follow.  At least, that's how it was at the Firearms Academy of Seattle this year.

Americans from all over Washington, Oregon, and Idaho joined us for our 250th Anniversary event commemorating the events of April 19th, 1775.  Some were familiar with the history of that momentous day, and some were hearing it for the first time.  All were moved by hearing of the great sacrifices that those patriots made on our behalf, and I believe they all walked away a little more resolved to care for Liberty.

Ahh, yes - we also taught them a thing or two about rifle marksmanship.

At the start of our event, we had only 1 shooter who was able to place 3 hits in the smallest Hits Count silhouette (400yd).  5 of our shooters were not able to effectively engage the largest silhouette (100yd)!  The instructor corps had our work cut out for us - but we know what we are about.

Shooters were instructed in the science of the 6 steps of firing the shot, the structure of steady hold factors for positional shooting, and the subtle art of Natural Point of Aim.  They listened!  They applied the tools we gave them, and by the end of Saturday we were already seeing marked improvement.

We opened Sunday morning with a sermon given at St. John's Church on March 23rd, 1775, more commonly known as Patrick Henry's Liberty or Death speech.  This put the fire of Liberty into the hearts and minds of the Americans present, and they showed it on the first target of the day.  7 of our shooters hit Morgan's Shingle with their cold bore shot on Sunday, and 4 of them cleared the Hits Count target! 

Sunday afternoon brought new challenges in the form of heavy squalls of rain.  Nevertheless, our shooters pesisted through the weather as we engaged AQTs. 

I am very pleased to announce that we can welcome 2 new Riflemen to our cadre.  Erik and Andy both scored Rifleman for the first time, with scores of 215 and 221 respectively.  Congratulations!

I am equally please to say that our existing Riflemen showed that they continue to know what they are about!  Kieth (212), Wes (227), Jack (229), and Chris (234) all showed us that Riflemen who work to maintain their skills continue to be dangerous.

For the first time ever, we engaged the 'Parker's Revenge' target.  Teams organized, strategized, and engaged the column of Regulars on their retreat from Concord, and a clear winning team emerged.  Just like Parker's men, this team had been layed low by weather and other circumstances earlier in the day, but they brought with them a clear determination.  By working together and by focusing on the highest value targets, the Chapman family posted the highest score and did Parker's men proud.  Congrats Chapmans!

Shooters, thank you for your persistence this weekend, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to Liberty.  I hope you will all take that 7th step of firing the shot and share what you learned about **your** history with your friends and family.  Especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of Independence Day, work to educate those around you about when we truly became an independent people - April 19th, 1775.

Instructors, thank you for all your hard work this weekend.  Your vigilance, activity, and bravery in maintaining Liberty is apparent and appreciated.  Thank you BirdDog, Corgi_in_a_Gundam, Doc Sporseen, Gunsmoke Music, Mike AKA Bandaid, and SmidgeLeft.

A special thank you to Belle, Chris, and Erik of Firearms Academy of Seattle.  Without ranges like yours, we could not hold events like this that inspire Americans to preserve our liberties, and we could not make more Riflemen!  Shooters, if you are looking to further improve your skills, please take a look at the courses on offer from FAS at their website: https://firearmsacademy.com/

And now the moment you have all been waiting for:  Pictures!

Mike AKA Bandaid presents the First Strike of the Match (and our flag line):


Shooters circled up for scoring of the Hits Count target:


Doc Sporseen telling the Second Strike of the Match:


A 250th Anniversary Cake, provided by Mike AKA Bandaid.  Thanks Bandaid!


Kieth enjoys some cake (and shows off his coat):


BirdDog telling the Third Strike of the Match:


CaptainRebop reminding shooters how to care for the Tree of Liberty:


The Chapman family, winners of the Parker's Revenge challenge:


RIFLEMEN! 

Jack


Erik


Kieth


Wes


Chris


Andy



Finally, a Group Photo.  Sadly, Bandaid was our Line Boss and had to watch rifles, so he is not pictured.

[Mike AKA Bandaid]

A little about Erik and Chris:
Erik is a senior instructor at our host range, and was impressed with our safety, and how formal our instructor training is. We talked about how instructors are forged in the fires of history, and shaped by our formal curriculum. He really appreciated how any instructor who would be there, would teach the same material, and in the same way. Thank you to our SI's, and MI's!

Chris attended his first Appleseed in 2008 and earned his Rifleman. He repeated this in 2014, and proved that he still has what it takes with a 234 this weekend. He is also an instructor at our host range, so there is no interest in an orange hat. However, he truly believes in what we do, and is excited to help promoted our Program.

[Prescott]

What a great event to attend for the 250th Anniversary of our Nation.  Saturday was a spectacular day to be out at the FAS range.  A huge thanks to Belle, Chris and Erik for being such wonderful range hosts. 

The whole event was very well run, but I feel the students were especially inspired by the Liberty Tree benediction, as it was presented very passionately and professionally.