Ramseur, NC Dec 3-4 2011

[Lawrence]

Observations from Ramseur, NC:

34 Saturday, 32 Sunday, with 6 Sat only, being replaced by 4 Sun only participants to produce a great attendance. The Sunday only shooters were all holders of the new and hugely successful "Rifleman Opportunity Card". By Sunday evening, nine more first time Appleseeders purchased ROC cards to return for another try at becoming a Rifleman.

SIX new Rifleman for the weekend.

Our first patch was awarded Saturday to a handsome young Marine officer from Lejeune at his first Appleseed. He was accompanied by his wife and baby son who were at Ramseur to rendezvous with his brother and family who traveled from Georgia to instruct! A warm Ramseur welcome to bolt212 and his daughter Red Niva. For a "fairy tale ending" to the weekend, Mom (aka: bolt212's wife; Red Niva's Mom) made rifleman Sunday and accepted an Orange Hat! A nod to Dr. John & Oldfudd for these talented new Georgia IIT's.

A special mention to Dudley for our high score of 241 for the weekend as he reconfirmed his much deserved Rifleman status. Barb & Dudley brought a photo of RIP (IIT3, Barb's son & fellow Ramseur instructor) also a Marine officer from Lejeune, sporting his desert color Rifleman patch while deployed in Afghanistan. The patch can be seen on his backpack as he is scoping out some characters of interest from a rooftop thru his rifle optics.

Two patches were awarded to returning shooters, thereby invalidating their "ROC" cards. It's pay or take an Orange Hat for these two from now on. At least three other shooters were scoring just short of 210 on the last three AQT's Sunday.

Please accept my apology for not getting the names of all our new Rifleman. Hopefully some of the photographers or Instructors can post some photos and provide details of interest. We had many new shooters and an abnormally high rate of rifle malfunctions which divided much my attention.

All were genuinely impressed with the level of awareness in our fellow Americans at this event. The Appleseed message is awakening a new generation of patriots. Nearly everyone in attendance brought a friend, relative or coworker and many verified that they will be returning next year to continue the Appleseed journey by awakening others. We look forward to an exciting new year in this decisive moment in our country's future.

Please post your thoughts, observations and photos.

[Sadman]

Ted posted a few shots of the Dec 3/4 weekend.  They are posted on the North Carolina section of the forum.  Here is the link:  http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=26589.0

[PHenry]