Whitting Center, Raton NM Sep 13th & 14th

[atticus]

The following was sent to me by the NM State Coordinator, twh731:

New Mexico just experienced their first Appleseed!  It was held at the Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico on September 13th & 14th.  Surrounded by majestic mesas and mountain vistas, this facility is one of the most incredible world class shooting facilities - bar none!  The weather was excellent with just a decent breeze whipping up every now and then to make the event exciting.

While we were pursuing our attempts to attain the coveted Rifleman badges there was a International Long Range High Power match going on at the next range over and also a shotgun event in the station clay shotgun area.  This is a very prestigious facility which hosted our Appleseed.  The onsite housing was pretty full but I lucked out and got a room in one of the Founders cabins.  I didn't have to rough it at all. 
Atticus was shoot boss with Phenry as instructor , and ashrn03 as instructor in training.

The turn out was fair with 10 shooters on the line.  The youngest on the line was 10 year old Campbell who brought along his Grandpa, Larry all the way from Kansas.  We had several shooters from the southern part of the state, one from western Colorado and at least one Texan.  One husband / wife team was on board for the weekend.  We managed to make 2 riflemen before the weekend was up and one junior rifleman.  All in all it was a successful weekend with lots of work and fun dispersed through the entire firing line.

The history of our country's founding was retold with great panache.  Several known and little known personalities and events were brought forward into the present where the light of liberty shown brightly on their telling.  Especially knowledgeable and exuberant in these dissertations, PHenry should have been standing behind a lecturn as his presentations were magnificent!

If you don't catch a case of pride and patriotism from these gentlemen while attending an Appleseed then you must already be suffering a bad case of room temperature-itis.  I am truly proud to be counted among the growing number of American Patriots that I see around me at these events.

[atticus]

Now I will post my own AAR.

First, a big thank you to all the attendees and congratulations to Dan and Dutch for making Rifleman.  I know everyone was tired and maybe a little discouraged by Saturday afternoon, but we warned you it would be tough.  Everyone persisted and returned on Sunday except our Texas shooter, that I respect very much, he had religious obligations.

After throwing a terrific amount of info at you on Saturday, it all started to come together on Sunday.  We can prove this with 2 Rifleman scores around 240. All the other attendees finished the day on Sunday with scores ranging from 180 to 200.  I am positive every one of you will keep persevering until we can award Rifleman patches at the next  NM Appleseed in October.

I also need to thank PHenry, ashrn03 (Paul), and twh731 (Tom).  It is always a pleasure to work with men and women who know what they are about.

I wish I possessed the eloquence required to describe the beautiful surroundings and the perfect weather we experienced.  Instead, I will post a few pictures.  These will knock your socks off!  Unfortunately, I was driving every evening when we left to find some supper, the wildlife was amazing.  I think PHenry managed to snap a few pictures of pronghorn antelope and mule deer.  They were so close to the car you could almost reach out and touch one!

Tom (NMSC) is already working with Robbie at the Whittington Center, it looks like the second AS will be held there on April 19th, 2009.  Start planning NOW!

It never fails to amaze me. The quality of people you meet at an Appleseed is astounding!

I look forward to seeing each of you soon, of course you need to bring 4 or 5 other people with you.

Atticus

[Fred]

     atticus, you crossed the line when you posted those pics! We'll have to close this thread and take 'em off-site, or next AS at Whittington, we'll have to beat people off with a stick! (I wish!!)

     Man, I'd like to have been there! Were you really paid the big bucks to go there? I think a small donation to AS is in order, and bet you do, too?

     How about those great flagpoles?

     First class, all-round.

     Got more pics?

     Let's hear from your partner-in-crime, PHenry!

[Scout]

Look at those pictures. They have, "Fall 2009 Raton, New Mexico, Apleseed Rendevous" written all over them. Shooters from New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Nevada, California, all gathered together to see one another face to face and shoot in a big sky location.

I had a long talk with Tom last night about locations in New Mexico, and he said we could get this location almost anytime we asked. Just have to stay on the range about keeping us remembered.

Thanks!!! Atticus and Patrick Henry and Paul and thanks to Tom for bringing this state into the Appleseed fold. I just want to mention that we need a few guys to return to New Mexico for the Albq. NM Sep. 18-19 shoot. If you can get this on your schedule, please let ff or Nickel know about it.

[twh731]

Atticus, those pictures really capture the moment in Raton!  It gave me chills to see those flags whippin in the breeze.  Great shots!  You all are more than welcome to come on out and experience the NM charm anytime, but during an AS is best, of course.  I really appreciate the grand and professional atmosphere that Atticus, PHenry, and ashrn03 presented for our AS.  You guys are all tops in my book and I hope you agree to come on out to another fun-filled event again.  Somewhere down the road our paths must meet again.  Sirs, I salute you!  And thanks Fred for setting the path complete with a compass.  Tom

[PHenry]

Atticus - I don't think anyone alive could do the scenery at the NRA Whittington Center justice. Words are simply inadequate in the face of such grandeur. I am forever spoiled as to what a range should look like!

You see, they have little use of a bull dozer at the WC - they just use the foot hills of the purple mountains majesty (the woman that wrote America the Beautiful wrote it after a trip to Pike's Peak - not so far from the WC). It was hard to concentrate on my duties owing to the sheer magnitude of the scenery right there on our range.

The WC placed us on a "little" range. I don't think it would have held more than say 150 shooters, it only went out to 500 yards, and had a real log cabin style bathrooms. It was just in front of their indoor 100 yard air rifle range. The range "next" to us had an international event out to 1000 yards. We are talking 33,000 acres of God's country here - "lousy" with mule deer, pronghorns, and antelope. Old narrow gauge rail beds from the late 1800s coal mining era run all through the acreage.

To say this facility is out in the "country" is woefully insufficient. It is the size of a large town and is 8 miles from anywhere (Raton is a small town north of the WC). It has all manner of housing, camping and even a cafeteria on site. Robbie, the man that runs the center could not have been more helpful and made us to feel completely at home.

The moon is bigger, the stars at night look as if you were looking at a bright light through screen cloth, and the air is like drinking bottled water - so pure it hurts to come home. I was short of breathe and feeling a little dizzy when Atticus and I stepped off the plane. It took me a few minutes to realize that is was due to the elevation - 6500 above where I live in FL., but it only takes a few days to get acclimated.

Then there were the attendees - what a great bunch! Let me tell you right now that Lady Liberty likes NM, as she surely feels safe and warm out there. From a granddad that drove his 10YO grandson five and one half hours, to a couple wearing Tshirts that said "You are not a victim and nobody owes you anything". I watched the wife clear several malfs with a sense of purpose that caused me to insist that she keep the sling that I had lent to her. We had a fellow that used to be a Steeple Jack (paints church steeples really high in the air) and then a schooner pilot and another that was a gun smith / manufacturer and rancher. There was a fellow with piercing, sky-blue eyes that builds real log cabins and likes to photograph dragon flies and knew his AR15 inside and out. The 10 YO boy never said a discouraging word and kept at it for two solid days. I have seen 15YO boys quit on Saturday! Nearly every one of them was knocking on the door of Rifleman - a much higher percentage than I am accustomed to.

Our local men hooked us up!  twh731 did a great job of promo and helping with anything asked of him - not to mention that he is a darned good shot. ashrn03 cooked us a gourmet breakfast each day and did a fine job of IITing his first event. We could not have asked for better - fine men and staunch patriots both.

I was so enamored with the entire affair that I thought of signing up for the April shoot, until I realized that I will have my hands full right here in FL! Dang! I am deeeetermined to go back - maybe to stay one day, as it is truly a great place to be.

Atticus did his usual great job. If anyone in the program would like to know what "checking you ego at the door" looks like - just work an event with this man. I would go anywhere to work with him and I am proud to know him. He has taught me some truly great lessons in his own affable manner and I am forever in his debt.

If you have the means to get to the NRA Whittington center for an event - do not hesitate - just don't tell me about it, 'cause I don't want to know. 

[atticus]

PHenry and  twh31, thanks for all the kind words, but this was definitely a team effort.  Without you two, ashrn03 and the attendees, the event would not have been a success.

I have to apologize to Robbie Roberts, I forgot to add his name and contributions to this AAR.

Robbie is the manager of the WC, he was very helpful and right on time every time something was needed.  On Saturday morning, he briefed us on the history of the WC.  Apparently, the NRA bought the 33,000 acres in the late 1940s.  Then, they let it lie dormant until the late 70s.  That's when the Whittington Center Gun Club started managing the property.  The club went on to construct the ranges, buildings and other infrastructure without any monetary help from the NRA.  The WC Gun Club is also a 501c non-profit, so, after you have made a contribution to the RWVA, send them a few bucks.  It takes a lot of money to maintain a world class shooting facility.

Robbie reminds me of some of the Senior NCOs I admired during the short period I served in Uncle Sam's Army.  The kind of man that possesses wisdom gained from actual experience, the kind of man that can chew steel and spit 16 penny nails.

If you have the chance to attend the next shoot at the WC, RUN, DO NOT WALK as fast as you can to the sign-in table.  I guarantee you will not regret it.

[TaosGlock]

Well now that I have had a few days to recover, I figure I might as well add my own personal after action report.

First off I want to thank all the instructors for a superb job. This was a historical first in many ways. Wow! The first New Mexico AS and an AS at a NRA Range. Without a doubt, The Whittington Center is the most beautiful and unique range in the world. We New Mexicans don't take this for granted as many of our ranges are hot, dry, dusty sand pits. And a big thanks to Tom(twh731) for getting this event together. It was great to share rifleman camaraderie with all.

Paul(ashrn03), you were like having a personal trainer throughout the two grueling but rewarding days. Every time my wife Gill and I walked back from our "talking targets" you helped us analyze our shots. NPOA and was pretty new to us and I was impressed when I finally got it. Now I know the respiratory pause is the proper way to breathe, not that halfway out then hold your breath stuff. Also, I never knew a sling was so important. We have ordered 6 like we used in class. I intend to loan them to future riflemen that I will be taking to the range and bringing to the next AS. Those slickey carry slings are not for riflemen. Old habits died that day.

Russ(atticus), you were really there for me just when I started to get lazy in technique. "Dragging wood", "heel down", "leg out more", "pad of the finger lower on the trigger".  Gee, all those things at once, and more, and I have to breathe and do a shot every 3 seconds at a rifleman's cadence?   And yes, I discovered it not only can be done, but also must be done. All these new positions and techniques are actually starting to feel like a natural part of my shooting.  I felt like I was becoming one with the rifle.

Everyone told a good American Revolution story.
Trey you are aptly named PHenery. I'll bet you are a descendent from either him or Thomas Paine. Your Revolutionary stories brought tears to my eyes, chills down my spine and even rage to my soul. But thankfully not all at once.
With my newly acquired skills and after one of your history lessons, I truly believed that's when I was motivated to go from cook to rifleman's score.
Thanks for letting my wife keep the sling you so graciously lent her.

On the way out we stopped and talked to Robbie Roberts, the WC Program Director.
He was impressed with our program and is looking forward to seeing The AS Project return.
His office is inside the Visitor Center/Gift Shop near the very impressive and new firearms history museum. One can see firearms and battle weapons from the Brown Bess to the Garand & M1A to the AR. With all the appropriate history too. Even handguns.

On our long drive back to southern New Mexico I had time to reflect. All the political banter, economic woes and other various oppressive acts facing our country somehow seemed insignificant. But be assured, the "soft war" will not be lost on my watch.

Stepping out of my comfort zone and persisting to the end was very personally satisfying...and rewarding.
Becoming a rifleman is very empowering.


Here are a few more pics to attempt to capture the experience:
It is cheaper and more rewarding to stay at WC than a motel in Raton. These are one of the dozens of log cabin complexes.

Sunrise inside the above cabins. My lovely wife Gill and shooting partner. Note the Ibuprofen. Definitely an AS'ers cabin.

Outside the cabin a bear visited. Large bears inhabit this area. Notice his tracks and the size 12 boot tracks. .223 Round for scale.

Thanks to Mike S. for these next two pics!
Ball and Dummy drill(dummy is in prone). A great way to get introduced to teaching. Gill's excellent coaching was  gentle, firm and patient. She was not going to let me be cook on the firing line. One of my goals is to help her make Rifleman. She is nearly there.(edited to add, she made Rifleman at the El Paso AS 10/18/08!)

The last shot in the AQT and I am just getting out of prone to make the rifle safe. I learned to love hot .223 brass flying across my sights, hitting me on the head and landing on my body. It was an added challenge and opportunity to learn to focus on the task at hand.   

This pic shows the Competitors Quarters Cabins, also, well away from the ranges. It captures much of the essence of the area. At certain times of the year this is your view from prone. You can almost see the Redcoats coming at you across the greens.


And now, it's back to work. We have much to do.
Dan

[PHenry]

TG,
Kind words well spoken and some great pics.

You and Gill clearly "get" what Appleseeds is about. I missed a bit of the history and fumbled a lot, but if it put a chill up your spine and caused you to feel the choices made and the sacrifices endured - then it's all good. I will continue to work on it, on that you can rest assured sir. The Founding Generation deserves nothing less than my absolute best effort, and they will have it.

I too have learnt a great deal from atticus - in his own easy going manner, he is with precious few peers as an instructor. By example he has taught me that each shooter must be engaged - one on one for as long as it takes, because that is the Appleseed way. His utter lack of ego has further served to help me let go of my own. I still have a long road to travel in that regard, but at least I now know the way.

I have read that Patrick Henry could be an abrasive fellow, but that he was also possessed of an unquenchable passion for Liberty. I will continue to work on the abrasive part. 

As to the sling - let there be no misconceptions there. Gill earnt that item. I hold intelligence, persistence, and strength of spirit in high regard - Gill has them in spades (but then you already knew that ).

I spent the better part of 25 years "naming the icebergs" that threaten our great nation. It got me gray hair and a scorching case of acid reflux. It got my country even less. Letting go of all that and concentrating on Appleseeding is good for the soul and of far more benefit to America than any amount of "ranting" could ever be. When I come home at night - I get to look at my beautiful American flag and tell "her" that I worked for her today. You can't buy that feeling. You gotta Appleseed for it!

As to the WC - I am spoiled for life on what a range can be.   

I wish the very best to you and Gill - may Lady Liberty smile upon your every step.

Thanks,

PHenry

[twh731]

I am grateful and overwhelmed for all the kind words by and to all parties.  I can't express enough the gratitude for all your sentiment and also the spectacular pictures.  It is all truly expressive of the AS experience.  Thank you all for participating in your various capacities and I hope we will all get together again at the April 18th-19th 2009 event at the WC if not before.  Tom

[PHenry]

tw,
If life goes my way - I'll be moving out yours. Wouldn't bother me one bit to live in the shadow of the purple mountains majesty my friend.

Soon as I can sell everything I own here and get a FWD FORD - I'm in! 

[Sarducci]

Massively late but equally enthusiastic, i must express my thanks to those who made my first AS an experience of a lifetime!

TaosGlock: My wife Marcia and i planned to enjoy this experience with our long time (and long range) friends and shooting buddies Dan and Gill. Alas, Marcia fell ill at the last minute. Patriot that she is, she urged me to go ahead and bring back details so that she would be ready for the next AS available to us. Dan and Gill graciously let me park my truck next to their cabin. Their friendship and encouragement got me through the repeated failures of Saturday. On Sunday, Dan loaned me a functioning rifle that helped me relax and use that which our adept Instructors were generously feeding us. Thank you Dan and Gill.

Atticus, PHenry, and ashrn03: You guys Rock!! Imagine my surprise and embarrassment to find that NONE of my first 13 rounds had found target paper anywhere. And just minutes ago, i had introduced myself as a 5 level NRA Instructor.  I found out later that my scope had been broken and the front half was pointing downward a few degrees, causing those first shots to arc over the target. Without harassment, the Shoot Boss let me switch to rifle #2. Midday saw the scope wiggle free of its mounts. Rifle #3 would not accept a proper sling and finished the day battering my already sore joints.

As the shooting day ended and the pain meds began, i was tempted to use my wife's illness as an excuse to flee. But there was something about these three Instructors. They're all about not giving up. "A Rifleman will persevere". There was no negative in their teaching, all was encouragement to overcome and succeed. When Dan offered the use of the rifle he had just qualified with, how could i let down these three dedicated men?

It is one thing to have enough time and talent to share. It is quite another to inspire those who find themselves in the pit of despair to adapt, overcome, and persevere. Because of our three Instructors and their inspiration, i had the best shooting day i've had in years that Sunday and was able make high score for the weekend.

Thank you Paul, for your careful eye, the loan of slings, and your personal patriotism.
Thank you Trey, for your infectious enthusiasm, your excellent portrayal of our founding heroes, and your personal patriotism.
Thank you Russ, for your dedication, your attention to people's needs, and your personal patriotism.
Should the need ever arise, you (all) will have at least one Rifleman securing your six.

Thanks to Tom (twh731) for getting AS to Whittington Center. And thanks to my new friends on the firing line for making the weekend so enjoyable. Marcia and i are so looking forward to the AS at Whittington next April. With apologies to Nathan Hale: I regret that i have but one Rifleman Patch.........

[SamD]

Glad to see to made it to the forum Dutch.
Dont' wait till April,
Grab the wife and come on down  and shoot either here or El Paso
It's a bit warmer here than up in Dixon.
Come south for the winter

Sam

[Fred]

     Very interesting report, Sar. And good advice from SamD, for sure.

     But once you get back to NM, here's a few words I have for you:

     Now, all you guys who were at this shoot, where there was less than a dozen shooters: Let's not let that happen again. You all know the program. You all know a lot of New Mexicans (?) who need to be at this program, next time.

     Let's see if we can fill those firing lines up...

     What do you say?

     There's plenty of Appleseed to go around - no worry about running out - bring neighborhoods with you - or at least, carloads...

     New Mexico is slated to go for Obama. I think the state doesn't have to worry about 'over-Appleseeding' for at least a few years.

[BlueFeather]

Welcome Guido!

Dutch's perseverance was truly phenomenal... and inspiring. His scoring AQT was close to perfect.  He did admit he had a Zen thing going on and everything clicked.  I'm sure he and Marcia will raise the bar when they both come to their next AS. 

I don't know why there were so few people in Raton for this shoot... there were only two people from Taos; everyone else had driven a long way to get to such a beautiful place.  I'm sure that with all of our praise, we'll be able to get the numbers up the next time around. Even as the state turns blue, there are a lot of people here who are really worried about losing their gun rights after the election... all the more reason to spread the Appleseed Word.

Gillian

[PHenry]

BlueFeather,
I have to say that the NRA WC is the range to beat all ranges, so anyone on the fence about coming to an event there - they don't git any better!

Great people and beautiful scenery - honoring the Founders and shooting - what's not to like???

I was personally honored to be there and can only hope I get to do it again before my final "cease fire"!

The water's comin' in fast - let's get to balin'! 

PH

[TaosGlock]

Welcome Sarduucci!
It was a pleasure and an honor for Gill and I to share our first AS experience together with you!
We will be back next year as Red Hats ...right?