Myakka City, FL. (Manatee Gun & Archery Club)

[PHenry]

Well, our third event at Myakka is in the "bag" as it were.

I arrived at the range at 0-dark thirty, along with all of my fellow instructors and a buddy that drove down just to help us set up the firing line. An RO from the club had the gate open and ready. A couple of attendees (Stephen & Stephanie) that are "repeat offenders" were camping on the range property, and they came back to "Area 51" with all of the cardboard backers bright and early and jumped in to help. When the sun finally came up, it got even cooler. Don't ask me - I am a marksmanship instructor, not a weatherman. Florida is funny that way this time of year. 

We set up the firing line, the first aid station, cleaning table, and then the admin table in short order. STERLINGMAN was cranking out name tags like a machine. While some attendees were right on time - many others arrived late, which put us behind the "time monkey" right out of the gate (you know who you are!  ).

"Mickey" from the range arrived with two fine ROs in tow (Howard and his dad - did not catch the name) and greeted us all most warmly. He even insisted upon providing two cases of water at no cost to ensure that no one went thirsty - gotta love the good folks at Manatee! The father and son team of ROs put in long hours on the Liberty Line to help keep us safe - many thanks guys!

There were some familiar faces - always nice to see. Rick B., Peter P., Holly, and a couple others, but many of those pre-registered did not show  .

After the safety rules and line commands were covered well by Double Life and Sterlingman, I did my best to convey the story of the First Strike with the verve that it deserves. I hope I did not let the Founders down. The attendees were dismissed to their vehicles to acquire their rifles for placement on the line - muzzles up, bolts back, safeties on, and flags in of course!

As always, we began with the "Hits Count" target to see where everyone was in terms of current ability. Not the worst I have ever seen, but plenty of room for improvement for sure!

And so we began to hammer the basics - The six steps, proper prone position and sling use, natural point of aim, IMC, and Rifleman's cadence. We shot at those humbling 1" squares until all were starting to show at least some improvement. The firehose of marksmanship knowledge was running at full pressure, but they attendees would not quit. They drank it up and just kept on persisting, like their Forefathers before them!

We continued until well after noon and not a soul complained. Finally, I got hungry, so we stopped for lunch  . As all were finishing their meals, Jacko44 dove into the Second Strike. It always gives me a great feeling to watch my fellow Americans listen with rapt attention to the true stories of thems that came before us. You could have heard a pin drop when Jacko spoke of Hannah Davis's premonition that she would never see her husband again.

When Jacko had finished, it was right back to maintaining the tradition - the "sitting tradition" that is. Nothing like getting into an awkward and unfamiliar position on a full stomach! In fact it was Jacko that modeled it - pretty darn flexible for a "seasoned" man.

On we pressed into CAQTs and transitions. Up, down, up, down - will it ever end? We had a lot of ground to cover in order to get to the storied AQT - so the word "quickly" was heard with alarming regularity. A short break for much needed hydration and it was "The line is clear, the line is clear - shooters proceed downrange with AQTs and staple guns - Quickly!" Owing to oncoming weather and a late start, we were only able to get in two AQTs on Saturday. Nobody would say it was for lack of trying or hard work.

Despite great effort from the shooters as well as the instructors - we did not reveal any Riflemen on Saturday. As I was doing my best to give a passable Benediction - the rain began to fall. Lady Liberty had put in a good word, but Mother Nature can only be held back for just so long. We cleared the line and gave the call for all to remove their rifles from the line.

I know I speak for all when I say we was "whooped". I know I was and I didn't even shoot! Thank goodness for OTC pain killers. 

Sunday morning looked rough - lots of clouds and a high chance of showers, but that never stopped a Rifleman before - Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome! We set all up with water in mind and after a review of safety and line commands, Don did a fine job of relating the Third Strike. When Percy's men finally made it back into Boston - the sun had set on the ruins of the English Empire!

We only had one new shooter, but several returns, including Robin and Alicia, Rick's son - Rich and Eric and his dad Chuck. I had heard from two people that our explanation of six o'clock vs. center mass holds could have been more clear so we focused on that as well as IMC a little harder until no quizicle looks could be found anywhere.

As all but one shooter was familiar with the transition stages, and this was clearly not his "first rodeo", we used squares for prep and moved quickly into AQTs. Lemme tell ya I was sweatin', 'cause by two PM we still had not revealed any Rifleman. Several were so close they could taste it, but close only works in horse shoes and hand grenades, so on we pressed. The unforgiving AQT starring at us from the line - mocking our every step.

Just when I was considering my next career (I have never heard of an Appleseeds that did not produce a single Rifleman and felt certain that Fred would fire me upon hearing the news), a man walked up to me with that "look" on his face. As the pace we were keeping allowed precious little time for scoring - he handed me his AQT and went right back to the line. I turned from the line - confident that my fellow instructors had all well in hand. 48 on standing - oh this looks good. On I went until I reached 210, but wait, there's more hits!

Congratulations to Rick B. on his first Rifleman score (a score that he repeated two more times that day). Rick is the "poster child" for persistence. This is a man that has battled eye problems, rifle malfs, and all manner of weather. He has attended an RBC and this his fourth Appleseeds event. Nobody deserves it more. We speak of persistence at every event, but Rick lived it. He just kept at it until he prevailed.

Soon after, Peter P. was "high-fiveing" with his buddies - another Rifleman. Yet another case of persistence - this was Peter's third event. Way to go Peter. I should also mention that Peter was instrumental in getting this event set up and promoted - he was our BOTG for this one. The best part is that these two fine Americans are now qualified to serve as IITs and work on that most important seventh step - come on in guys - the water's fine. 

Time, the weather and even daylight were in short supply when we put our Redcoats back up. Karen, who had been out-shooting her man Brien slightly all day (He kept threatening to make her walk home, but I did see them leave together!) cleared the target! In fact, I am certain that she would have made Rifleman had she not been so utterly fatigued toward the end of the day. There were several others that also fit into that category.

My fellow instructors offered to stay a little longer for anyone that wanted to take another crack at that "dirty" AQT. I was beat, but too ashamed to say so, as some of these men are older than I am. More than half of the attendees decided to tough it out and shoot not one, but two more AQTs. Several shooters came very close - all with much improved scores, but close and the AQT don't mix, so we'll have to wait a little longer, until the next event, to see those patches awarded.

I do not recall ever getting so much help in breaking down the line. I acted busy while the attendees and my fellow instructors loaded all the gear back into my truck.   Many thanks for all the help, seriously.

I also received an unusually high number of offers for seventh stepping which I found most humbling. I will contact all of you as soon as I am able. The water is coming in fast and I will get "buckets" to each of you soon so that you can get busy "bailin'".

This was my first solo shoot boss shift. It was also the very first all local "talent" Florida Appleseeds. From all of my fellow instructors and myself, I would like to say thank you to all of the attendees for making this event a success. It was an honor and a privilege to serve as your instructors and I hope that we get to see every one of you again. I can only hope that we met your expectations and perhaps enhanced your appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Founding Generation for all of us.

In closing let me once again ask each of you to help spread the word of Appleseeds to your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers. Get them to attend an event (don't forgit - women and kids shoot free), or even just help pass the word along to others that might be interested in keeping America free for their posterity, so that their own grandkids can also grow up enjoying the Freedom to show up at a local range and learn to shoot like our ancestors!

Thanks to all,
PHenry

PS. Please forgive the length of this AAR - I type just like I talk! 

[hawkhavn]

Congrats to the FL crew!  I've been waiting for this AAR.  Glad to hear of so many returnees and isn't it nice to have an all in-state crew.

Another good 'seed for the record book.

Hawkhavn

[PHenry]

To any woman that thinks she would not like Appleseeds - tell these fine Patriots that!

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It was my honor to work with these fine ladies and I hope to see them again on the firing line of Liberty at another Appleseeds event.

For any fellow that has a woman in his life that thinks shooting is a "boys only" club - PM for full res. version of this photo!

In point of fact, these women represented nearly a third of our attendees! Little chance of a woman feeling "out of place" at a Florida event. 

And don't forget - women shoot free for the rest of 2008, and I am hoping that we can continue that policy into 2009.

PS. Guys - I'll warn ya right up front - do not underestimate their marksmanship ability! 

[atticus]

Great job PHenry and the Florida crew.  Can't have an AS without a little rain.

Russ

[hawkhavn]

Familiar range, familar faces!
Can't get any better!

Hawkhavn

[RickB]

PHenry,
Just to set the record straight, it was my 4th Appleseed, not 5th!
Some of us is a little slow.
Still waiting for my IIT info--I know you're busy.
RickB

[PHenry]

RB,
Error corrected - sometimes I get a little carried away! Also, have sent your info into the Guy and he will open the instructor area up for you to get started studying!

Three cheers for RickB - he's stepping up to train as an instructor! Huzaaah! Huzaah! Huzaah!

We will need all the talent we can muster come April 19th, 2009 - gonna see how many events we can hold here in the Sunshine State! Only so many red hats to go around right now nationwide. California may have and North Caroline may have, but God Bless the state that has its own!

Right now we only have one "local" red hat and that is just wrong! 

There are two ways to become a red hat - one is to attend an IBC, the other is to "ride the trail" and do it the hard way. That's how I did it, 'cause I am hard-headed. 

Who loves this country? I know RickB does. Anybody else?