Burlington Flats Oct 10-11 2009

[B9]

The best shoot I have ever been to.

We all have heard the phrase "It takes a community to raise a child". Few of us have actually seen it. Now I have.
I can not put into words what it means to me to be a part of bringing the Appleseed message to people like this.

Burlington Flats NY. Nominated for the prize after only two days on the Appleseed trail is a sure bet. A record.


Some pictures for now then off to a bed that will not feel as at home as the clubhouse floor.

Spanner, Gunville, nyrasgt and Another D.O.M. did a great job and I look forward to working with them again. Shooter Paxton (our sandbagged shooter from the July Hallstead PA shoot) was so improved in the last few months I was not sure it was even him.





Pillars of the community need quiet time to think of important things.

Spanner is one to search out for to work with.

Another D.O.M. with a determined Riflemans look.







When asked what he thought of the Yankees game Stoner said he did not watch basketball. I knew then he was my kind of guy.

Adam (with the pretty name tag) got the job done.

[Another D.O.M.]

It is hard to improve upon B9's comments & impressions.  And once again his James Bond style photography work captured the essence of the shoot (in my defense, he broke into my 'bubble' - only milliseconds after he snapped that photo I did actually crack a smile).

This was a phenomenal shoot, mainly because of the folks from the community who attended.  With very few exceptions, everyone on the line was a member of the Burlington Flats F&G Club; of 16 total shooters there were nine under the age of 18, five Jr. Rifle Club members, and four different groups of family members (one father/daughter team, one father/son team, three siblings from one family and two from another).  The Jr. Rifle Team leader cooked lunch for us on Saturday the boy scout troop cooked on Sunday; and a club member brought us hot breakfast sandwiches on Sunday morning.  There was fresh hot coffee available all day long as well.  As this was my second Appleseed shoot I don't have much by way of comparison, but these were some of the nicest folks I've met in my life (and remember, I'm an old dude).

It was, indeed, a community event!

And I'll tell you, this was one tough group of shooters!  It rained off and on most of the day on Saturday - we didn't see the sun until mid-afternoon.  There was a steady breeze with frequent gusts and it was cold!  Many of the younger shooters showed up in sneakers on Saturday and wound up slogging through wet grass and puddles most of the day.  Someone in the crowd broke out a box of pocket hand warmers and another box of cotton gloves to help keep the chill at bay.  I didn't hear a single weather-related complaint from anyone (although a lot of good natured weather comments were passed back and forth).

Sunday was much nicer - the expected morning frost and drizzle didn't materialize, the sun was shining most of the day, and the wind was tolerable.

All in all, I'm certainly thankful I packed my cold weather gear!

The Appleseed instructors were a pleasure to work with.  They worked well together teaching the techniques and helping participants to improve their skills - especially with the younger shooters.  I consider it a privilege to have worked with them and look forward to future shoots with these guys!

Special thanks to Larry for all of his work making this shoot happen; and to the Burlington Flats Fish & Game Club for the use of their facilities (including allowing us to camp out in the clubhouse rather than having to sleep outside in the cold and rain); and to everyone involved for the good hot home-cooked meals!  We are already planning up to three shoots at the range in 2010 (including the April 17th & 18th weekend), and there was even some talk of an Appleseed Boot Camp at the location next year!  The participants graciously invited us to "come back any time", and before we left they were already discussing plans for improvements and upgrades to the range to accommodate even more Appleseeders in future events.

All in all I had a fabulous weekend and I'm looking forward (with some minor apprehension) to the Albion shoot over Halloween weekend.  I'll be packing the winter boots and a parka... and practicing my Dangerous Old Men & Women stories, just in case.

[gunville]

Wow, Ed's quoting Hillary... I may barf on my rifle.

It doesn't take a village, it takes parents that teach kids self-reliance. And that's what they have.

Terrific folks - it is a great community, and they are planning to talk about Appleseed with all their neighbors.  I'll bet they extend their berm by April, and double participation.

They let us use the clubhouse as a bunk house (a symphony for sure, but it beat the cold rain and wind outside.)

When clearing the line I think maybe 3 times total I had ask someone to correct something on my end - most shoots it doesn't get that good until day 2.

[sgtrock]

  OUTSTANDING,,, Is what I say about the Appleseed Project and The Instructors,, Absolutely, the best rifle instruction I have ever received, bar none. It was a very rewarding experience, to be on a range, and doing what we love to, with such good friends and professional instructors.
  I'm sure that everybody came away with a renewed sence or patriotism and self confidence. Hats off to the next generation of shooters on the line that endured the rain and the cold, they were tough. Will be looking forward to the next Appleseed.
                                                                                                          With Hand Extended,  Thank You
                                                                                                           Stoner, SSG NYARNG ret.

[Another D.O.M.]

You're quite welcome Stoner - and I'm looking forward to my next trip to Burlington Flats!

[kabar]

Wow,
What great compliments thank-you guys.  Ditto what sgtrock says the best experience and marksmanship training I've had bar none ...totally stoked about this.  My daughter(s) loved it too.  Cant wait till my next appleseed and have already told several fathers of the benefits of this program.  Thanks for recognizing the focus on children I(we) believe to truly impact the world and make it a better place it will be done by good examples and youth leadership..and that works for both GOD and country. 

[kabar]

Also.....heartfelt thanks for your patriotism and volunteerism.

dad of father daughter team

[Spanner]

The best shoot I have ever been to.

We all have heard the phrase "It takes a community to raise a child". Few of us have actually seen it. Now I have.
I can not put into words what it means to me to be a part of bringing the Appleseed message to people like this.

Can't top that.  100% agreed.  I'd have to say that this was the most rewarding shoot I have been to.

I had a blast working with B9 again... good egg.  (Should "egg" be capitalized?)  I was impressed with the "Nickle's NPOA Drill from..." (hmmm, how does that go again?).  Anyways, I'm using a version of it from now on. 

Great to meet gunville, Another D.O.M. and nyrasgt.

AND.  The guys & gals from Burlington Flats.  I'm positive I would be able to call any one of them by name if I ran into them again.  I'm truly impressed by what they have going on up there.

[Spanner]

I seem to recall that Colette may have been able to get some video of a transition.  Does anyone know if such footage actually exists?  I'd love to see it, especially if it is the transition that I remember (big grin on the Line Boss's face).

[sgtrock]

Spanner
I will see her tonight at the Pistol League Shoot, I,ll ask her,, Stoner