Sherburne, LA, Feb 20-21, 2010

[spitstickler]

What a great weekend! My first time in Louisiana, but it certainly won't be my last. (Although, I will certainly be double checking my seatbelt when I cross the state line.)  

Two new Riflemen.  
Two very persistent young men who shot every course of fire. Their rifle skills just kept getting better and better throughout the weekend.  
One new red hat.  
One new orange hat.  
Big improvement from everyone else. It was great to meet each and everyone one of you and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.




Just a short post and a few pics to get it kick started. More to come so keep checking back.

[kd5ozj]

Morning Spit,Matthew was 10 feet tall and bullet proof when he got home.He told his dad and grandma the story of his patch 5 times.Thanks again for leting him use your rifle and thanks to all the Instructors.... Allen

[MandyMonstar]

Kivva took some great photos with my camera this weekend - and even a very short video.  I'll share when Roy Alan finds my USB cord. 

Had a great time this weekend - and every time someone at work asks about my sunburn I let them know that they're welcome to come with me next time.  I'll remember to bring sunscreen.

[Cajun1919A4]

I wish to humbly express my gratitude to the gentlemen who served as red hats and orange hats at the Sherburne event.  Their dedication to the service for which they volunteered was certainly above the call of duty.  They were patient, encouraging, and most of all, kept the event safe.  This was my first 3-position shooting that I attempted since I was in my 20's, so 25-30 year older eyes, and a bunch of added weight (i.e. FAT) made this harder than I expected.  I am the old gristled guy in the photo wearing overalls, a sunburn and a smile.

This was my first (note: I write first) Appleseed event. 

Once, again, having volunteered for numerous thankless jobs during my lifetime, I wish to once again say THANK YOU to everyone who made the weekend a success.

I wish that we had more opportunity to really meet with and talk to everyone at the event.  I seemed to have been on a firing line with many wonderful folks from many diverse walks of life!!

[Don71047]

What a great weekend I had at Sherburne, thanks to all the instructors who gave there time. This was my first apple seed shoot and I plan on being back in Sherburne in April, it really encouraged me to see other fellow Americans who love there country out doing something about it. I am looking forward to the April shoot, it can't get here fast enough. See you then. 

[Johnny]

Don and I went to this, our first AS, together. Our goal, like most, was to shoot that Rifleman score, earning the patch, move on to ITT, and plant thousands of seeds. Don is a very passionate person, who endeavors to persevere in anything he feels is worth it. He has now been set a fire with a passion for Appleseed. He found that everything I said about the people of Appleseed is correct. There is no holding him back now! The shooter's that know Don, will be drawn to Appleseed because of his leadership skills (he doesn't even know he has) and his shooting ability in IDPA 3 Gun and bench rest. When the shooters around him find out that he didn't shoot that Rifleman score at his first AS, and that he realizes a NEED to be a Rifleman, they will see it as a challenge they can't resist. I look forward to a large AS following in North Louisiana. I just barley earned the Rifleman Patch, with Don right on my heels. Now it's Gralen's turn to meet the GREAT APPLESEED FAMILY! I consider all of you my family.   Lesly and David...God heard your prays, we made it to our first Appleseed Shoot. Praise God!!  P.S I'm not a Red Hat yet! But my wife say's I earned my Red Head! (my head is soooo sunburned. The peeling will begin in a few days!

[MandyMonstar]

I've got photos up on my Picasa account.  There's a few from December in there too.

It's going to be difficult to get the video off the camera.  Alan needs to come back home so I can use his computer to get it since my Linux laptop can only get the photos.

Thanks again for the opportunity! 

[Western Rose]

Congratulations, Johnny! Well done!

Don, I'm glad you were able to go to this shoot. Perseverance!

Gralen, I can't wait to hear about your first Appleseed shoot.

I hope I'll be able to meet all three of you someday!

WR

[POP]

A Great Weekend, Indeed!   

Great Pics from Mandy's Picasa Page.  Mandy found out what hot brass on her cheek feels like ... but, we put a little more distance between her and the rifle to her left ... problem solved.  BTW, nice meeting you, 'Roy' er Alan  , and your friend whose name I don't remember but, I will see again, somewhere on the AS Trail.

And, I am proud of the two new Riflemen.  Johnny, who I spent Thursday with in Shreveport, I especially can relate to because of the physical aches and pains of getting up and down all weekend.   He did in one weekend what it took ole POP here a year and a half to do.    I spoke with him this evening and he is going to take the Orange Hat in Sherburne at the April 17-18 event.  Son Josh will be with him as will a contingent of Shreveport folks including Don who is coming back.

Sherburne is one of the Best AS Ranges.  I (then an Orange Hat) instructed with alonso1 (SB) at the inaugural event there over Memorial Day '09.  Then we had about the same number of shooters on the line but, only three instructors ... alonso, POP, and fig (alonso's friend from Houston).  This event had three Red Hats (Congratulations Steve) and two orange hats with three of the instructors being from TEXAS.  GOT IT!

Now that is not meant as sarcasm OR put down  , NOT  at all   .  Rather, to continue my thoughts from Saturday evening after alonso1's rousing 3rd Strike  , before I left to head back to Corpus Christi,  over the past year I have noticed a trend towards solidarity between Texas and Louisiana Appleseed folks, a trend I personally would like to see continue.  Texas and Louisiana are steeped in a combined history and, it does my heart good to see Appleseed as a catalyst for the two States becoming closer. Johnny and Don are committed to working with me to secure an Appleseed Range in the Shreveport area. 

Back on Thursday just before this weekend, Johnny, his son Josh,  and I toured the NE LA area looking at possible ranges for an Appleseed event.  While on the way to  a spot near Keachie, Louisiana, we came upon an old Civil War Cemetary.  Now, one thing I like about Appleseed is that it takes me to places I've always wanted to see but, just never got there, Keachie, for example  .  Seriously, instead of turning left to go look at this range, I decided to turn right so we could honor our fallen comrades.      I learn a lot by watching what goes on, by listening.  I learned a lot about Johnny's character as I watched him pick up branches which had recently fallen on the hundred or so grave sites at this cemetary.  Appleseeders are a cut above.  Johnny is no exception.  And, as I said Saturday evening, I have come to know many Appleseeders over the past two years and all are welcome in my home and, I mean that sincerely.  But, having said that, I also said that all Appleseeders are welcome in my home.  It is a testament to The Appleseed Project that the program draws the best people America has to offer. 

All Ya'll Cajuns keep up the good work promoting Appleseed.  You have great hospitality in the Sportsman State.     And, be sure and make it to Texas to an RBC at Davilla or to another weekend event there or any other appleseed event.  There are events near College Station, Houston, Corpus Christi, Abilene, Amarillo, El Paso, and others coming on line this year.  You'll be glad you did.  And, you'll get to experience some real Texas Hospitality.   

Lastly, consider alonso's talks ... how he connected the dots between 1775 and 2010.  Don't you want to be part of something really special?  Consider taking the Orange Hat and helping to honor our founding fathers and the sacrifice they made for us.   

Holy Orange Hat, Fred
And, one more last thing  , that business of finishing off your Orange Hat when you take the Red Hat just may be a tradition now.  Dinky Dao, scuzzy, Will Troutman, and myself polished off my Orange Hat on the Monday after the December Davilla event at 300, 200, and 100 meters.  I understand that a few of you stayed to help Steve polish off his although at 25 meters.  Point is, Steve's friends got together doing what they like to provide acceptance to Steve for his new responsibilities.  A wonderful Tradition is begun. 

POP

[spitstickler]

Steve's cap was indeed retired in style. Here are some more pics from the weekend

[spitstickler]

A few folks who stayed and helped clean up the range got an extra special treat.

Helping Steve retire that Orange hat. ...M1 Garand style.

[jnespappa]

I had a great weekend with you all.  I must admit to being quite nervous since this was my first AS as an Orange Hat, but your eager, attentive faces helped those feelings go away and I settled in to a groove.  Everyone I spoke with listened patiently and practiced what we preached...the talking targets told me so 

Johnathan got up to a 183 and I have to tell you that we took him for a physical about a week ago and found out that he needs new glasses (current glasses are about 9 months old).  Probably because he grew a good 5+ inches this year.  His vision is about 20/100 in his right eye and 20/50 in his left  .  He was grouping well on the 4th stage of the AQTs, but his aim was off.  I am amazed that he could shoot that well with poor vision.  He finally feels comfortable with the 6 steps to firing a shot and he trusts the positions and sling...now all he needs is new glasses and 210+ is within reach.  I'm a proud Pappa.

Like Hezekiah Wyman, you all decided to go beyond just owning a rifle...you chose to become proficient shooters with your rifles and I thank you for your hard work.  It makes me feel safer and more confident that this great nation will continue on as it has for 200+ years. 

Mark

[Leethar]

I had an awesome time! Re-learning things with Irons was a lot harder, since last time I shot scoped. However, even though my scores weren't any better, I feel like I definitely improved. I will be getting that patch- just you see  .

I really enjoyed staying after the final shoot and talking- looks like I shoulda stayed longer!

[Leethar]

A quick video we took of Stage 2 of the last AQT:

On YouTube

[alonso1]

Indeed, what a shoot it was!

2 new Riflemen

1 new Orange Hat

1 new Red Hat

Saturday started off with Spitstickler 7th stepping with the local Police.  I guess he figured the best was to make contact was to get pulled over on our way to the range (talk about taking one for the team! )

But it turned out to be a good thing.  Spit received a warning and the Officer received an Appleseed brochure In fact, the Officer is a Rifle shooter and was excited to here about Appleseed! Stay safe out there Sir 

By the time we started shooting, we had 21 shooters on the line.  Some folks were old friends and some were new friends.

jnespappa and Spitstickler worked the line and Spmcpeek was Line Boss.  Pop and I stayed busy too.


Sunday is when we got our Riflemen.  Good Job Cajun1919A4 and Johnny, I'll be talking to y'all later.

We still had a strong line with 21 shooters.  Even after 1 shooter did not return, a new shooter and Appleseed vet, Kivva arrived and found a place on the line.

Johnathon and Matthew were out youngest shooters.  They both had a good attitude and stuck it out all weekend and because the stayed till the bitter end, they both had a chance to shoot my Garand at Spmcpeek' nasty old Orange Hat.  Did  mention they both hit it

This was also a big day for jnespappa and Spitstickler.  They both wanted to take a shot at a little history. 

jnespappa told the shooters about Hezekiah Wyman. Spitstickler took care of Samuel Whittemore.  They both did a fine job.  Way to go guys!

Thanks to all the shooters who made it out for this Appleseed.  Y'all made it a great weekend and worth the trip.

Thanks to jnespappa, the journey has just begun! and don't forget to work on that stock for Johnathon.

Spitstickler, your 7th stepping will not be forgotten anytime soon.  Thank you for going above and beyond (Texas) and helping with this shoot.

Spmcpeek, congratulations.  In my opinion, you were a Red Hat a long time ago. Now it's official.  I'll see you in 3 days when we carpool to Davilla.

and Pop, what can I say.  You are always there when I need some help, more importantly, you are always there for Appleseed.  Thank you and I hope you feel better my friend.

Until next time, keep those actions clear and I'll see you on the beach.

                                                                              Mark

[spitstickler]

Awesome video, Leethar!!! Thanks for putting that up.




If you get a chance, be sure to tune into Rifleman radio at 7:00 this evening. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/appleseedradio/2010/02/24/jack-spirko-from-survival-podcast-our-guest

Listen in on the internet or call in and tell everyone about the event. (347-308-8790) We have a good guest on tonight as well.  

If you all want to sign up for the Texas area newsletter, we'd love to have you. You can do so here: http://eepurl.com/ie3t

FYI: While you all are working on dryfiring for the next Appleseed in April, the video camera is a pretty useful tool. You can get a good look at your form, respiratory pause, dragin' wood etc. (You are dry-firing, aren't you   )  If you go to the range, take the camera set it up close so you can see your trigger pull, eye blink, etc. It will help you narrow down what your target it already telling you.

[Leethar]

You know, I've always thought if someone had a slow motion camera of some sort, you could get a heck of a lot of feedback on your shooting from it. I've seen some slow motion captures of shooting on youtube where the shooter could definitely use some improvement!

[spmcpeek]

Thanks to everyone for making this a great first shoot as a red hat.  I'll try and get my pictures up later today.

[Cajun1919A4]

Sunday is when we got our Riflemen.  Good Job Cajun1919A4 and Johnny, I'll be talking to y'all later.

Mark:

You are a great coach and a superb storyteller!  I may indeed plan to return to shoot - and to possibly return as a volunteer.

[spmcpeek]

Pictures from the weekend

[spmcpeek]

More Pictures

[spitstickler]

Here's a short video documenting the retiring of Steve's old hat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIxkgD3wOrU

[txpirate]

Haven't seen a ceremony like that before. I always thought it was a good idea to pass your orange hat down, you know, train your replacement.

[spmcpeek]

Thanks for the excellent video!

[POP]

Wooo, nice video Spit.     

Of course you know the tradition all began in Davilla, December 28, 2009.
You see, ol' POP got his RH that weekend.  Dinky Dao and a friend of hers, scuzzy, Will T, and POP stayed over for a relaxed Monday on the KD. 

We shot the morning on the 25 meter sighting in and telling war stories.  Monday afternoon found the five of us on the KD starting at 300M, 200M, and then 100M.  All of us shot at POP's Orange Hat with .223, 308, ... and Will got the last shot in at 100M when he popped it up on top of the berm, at which time I called the OH off limits. 

Dinky Dao started the tradition.
But, the very first shot to my OH was from Dinky.
The best of times is on the range with your Riflemen buds, putting that OH to bed.
Thanks Dinky.   

And, Congratulations again Steve on your RH.
POP

[sleepy Joe]

looks like a good turnout