AAR, Dulzura, CA April 30-May1 2011

[Francis Marion]

21 shooters Saturday, 12 Sunday. 

Many new shooters.  Individuals, couples, families. 

People came to shoot, and the bullets whistled well. 

Improvement followed the application of knowledge. 

Free people were encouraged to make good use of their gift, and pass along that same gift to their Posterity.   And so may it always go. 

Young Mike and Mike senior persisted both days, with great spirit.  Where did you learn to shoot a rifle, Mike?  Twenty years in the Marine Corps, retired.  (yep- still maintains the haircut, wears a cover, and drives a prominently Marine-stickered truck)
Did you recognize any of the techniques which we have been teaching this weekend from that time in service?
Yes, basically all of it; that's how we shot in qualification. 
Well, well. 

The other Rifleman of the event, Denis, was also a Marine, and a High Power competitor; Denis walked on to our event after discovering that his HP event at the next range over had been cancelled.   

Larry and Valery were brand new shooters with beautiful borrowed Marlin lever actions.  They acquited themselves well with those buckhorn sights, one sling between them, and no ingrained bad habits. 

The Wiseman family brought determination and spirit, and they'll earn patches with that plus persistence. 

A young couple, Matt and Tricia, strove to get better and were fairly new to rifle shooting; Matt's likely military career is off to a good start by his pursuit of rifle skill, among other things. 

The CalGuns contingent persisted; you guys know who you are!  Keep at it, and thanks for joining us.  A hearty 'oo-ra!' to Edric- thank you for your service to our country.   

Jeff shot his last Appleseed as a student, and will hereafter wear The Orange Hat of Destiny.  Thank you, Jeff, on behalf of Posterity. 

Matt and Lyn persisted again, despite equipment issues, in the pursuit of rifle excellence.  Keep at it. 

Although duty called one of our team members away, Zachary stood in that gap, and that made Sunday run better than it otherwise would have.  Thank you, young man.  Tell your buddies what a cool weekend you had!  Zach's first day 'on the job' under a new Orange hat. 

Staff was FM, Leonidas and Norm on Saturday; FM and Zach on Sunday.  Thanks to the team for making it work. 

I hope that young Mike, some decade from now, will teach some young person what he has learned.  It's sure a possibility, for Mike and many other people like him, thanks to this volunteer program. 

Shoot straight,
-FM 
   

[jshoebot]

Hey Francis, this is Jeff.  Thanks again for putting on a great event, and great job as shoot boss!  I'm looking forward to the next one...wearing my orange hat!! 

[bob 210]

Great job FM! It sounds like the San Diego contingent of the CA Applescore continues to grow!

[StormN]

Finally had a chance to upload some pictures from Saturday.