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El Paso Ft Bliss Rod and Gun Club January 17-18

Started by WestTx, January 19, 2009, 01:07:17 AM

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WestTx

January 19, 2009, 01:07:17 AM
13 signed up on eventbrite, 16 showed up. Numerous "interested" parties showed up to observe and talk. Instructors did a great job as usual. 2 new Riflemen who had been to the October shoot. Mateo Delgado came closer. I'll let others comment about it from here.
And both Fred and Longshot received the Order of the Sombrero. A stirring moment.
Rifleman. That says it all.

Junior Birdman

#1
January 19, 2009, 08:57:29 AM
  Texas is importing instructors?
"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." John Adams

Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them. Fredrick Douglass

WestTx

#2
January 19, 2009, 10:21:24 AM
OK, have had my moment of respite. Soothed my wife's aching muscles. Made sure SamD made it onto the road to his casa. Now for the story.

In the bright morning hours of Saturday January 17, an assemblage of persons occurred at Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club in El Paso. First came the instructors, ashrn03, TaoGlock, Bluefeather, SamD, Grizzled One- under the watchful and expert tutelage of Longshot they assembled to post the flags of our forefathers during the early days of this republic. Standing tall amongst them, in the chill desert morning, was Fred.....quietly observing and directing when asked. The attendees began arriving and were quickly administratively attended to by Taosglock and Bluefeather. Seventh-stepping began immediately with gathering of info from participants, one of whom had attended the El Paso event in October. Participants were gathered into a central area and welcomed by Longshot. There pre-registrations indicated 12 attendees however by the time the event began there were 18 attendees. Many of the attendees had heard of the program but had not grasped the significance.
The day progressed swiftly. The attendees heard the Three Strikes by the end of the day and several were close to attaining Rifleman status. Fred was non-plussed throughout. The weather was pleasant with little wind and 60 degrees. Sunday, 15 returned to continue and were joined by 2 other Rifleman strikers as well as a young lady who desired to learn more but had been involved in school on Saturday.
Mateo Delgado, of the October event fame, persevered and improved upon his score, setting a standard for all in persistence that inspired many. At the end of the day, two Riflemen were added to our rolls. And 4 IIT's obtained the coveted Red Hat.
Importing Instructors? For a program this time last year that had a total of 4 events scheduled, we are catching up rapidly. I expect by the end of this year we will be exporting instructors to the unfortunate other 49 states.
Rifleman. That says it all.

WestTx

#3
January 19, 2009, 10:24:37 AM
Pictures
Rifleman. That says it all.

WestTx

#4
January 19, 2009, 10:27:01 AM
More Pictures
Rifleman. That says it all.

WestTx

#5
January 19, 2009, 10:31:09 AM
A couple more- Oh and that was Longshot after being awarded the Mysterious Order of the Sombrero. Other Shoot Bosses may be eligible, but I am hesitant to predict the actual number who migh make the elevation into this esteemed category.
Rifleman. That says it all.

Old Dog

#6
January 19, 2009, 10:43:11 AM
Hey, great.  Send some to VA.  Everyone should see what trees and creeks/rivers (with water in them) looks like at least once in their lives. ;D

I used to live in Del Rio, TX.  Just had to say something about water and trees.  'Course our rabbits don't get as big as your's, but they sure do taste better. O0
"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."

—Jeff Cooper, The Art of the Rifle

SamD

#7
January 19, 2009, 12:32:56 PM Last Edit: January 19, 2009, 12:42:48 PM by SamD
A great Appleseed, that's no surprise, they are all great.  As always getting a chance to meet all those people that think like we do was the best.  Made a new friend in our Shoot Boss, Longshot. Great to work with him. We will meet again on the trail, and it'll be good. I want to have him out to a New Mexico Appleseed, and I'll be dropping in on some of his when I go visit friends and family back east.  Glad that he got the "Order of the Mysterious Sombrero".  Clearly superior to be appointed as an admiral in the El Paso Navy!  ???


The shooters were great, there was a lot of improvement in their performance between Saturday and Sunday as always.  More important a great jump in what they know about our heritage.  Person to person contact means a lot out here and when you have the chance to pass on that Heritage, show the value of community, participation, dedication and Persistence, when you see the brows raise and then the "wet eye", it makes everything worth while.  A couple of our shooters were college students, and when that moment of realization hit 'em, when what they are hearing at Appleseed is seriously at odds with what the perfesser is saying, you know you are doing a good thing.   Serious positive reinforcement for me.  I will always get more out of Appleseed than any of the shooters.

A couple of new riflemen hammered out, always great, laid a little extra seventh step on 'em. They'll be in orange hats real quick, just haven't realized it yet  ;).  They think college keeps them busy ;D.

Finally meeting Fred was good too.  We have spoken on the phone before but having the opportunity to meet in person was good.  You come away with a better understanding of each other and what you are trying to accomplish.  He was upset find out that Texas has a Clown Bat control law though. I'm glad, it saved me from a serous whooping &).

And finally, the opportunity to meet and work with my Appleseed friends again.  BlueFeather, TaosGlock, WestTx and ashrn03 are professionals.  The difference between an amateur/hobbyist and a professional is distinct.  It is not a difference of knowledge or performance, it IS a difference in dedication and morality. Commitment to something bigger than themselves. People that BELIEVEin what they are doing. I'm proud to be in their company.  Got to meet the Grizzled One and welcome him to  the ranks. He'll be a lot more grizzled before too long

OK time to get out of the comfy chair and get to work on another Appleseed

Sam



WestTx

#8
January 19, 2009, 07:03:50 PM
And a couple of notes for instructors to add to the endless checklists:
1. If you staple your finger, make sure you staple your wife's also. Togetherness.
2. If you buy the Shoot Boss' and Master Boss' breakfast, make sure they kinda know so the restaurant doesn't get double paid.
3. If you whack your head on the door of someone's truck, invite others to watch.
4. If Fred is doggin you, give him a floggin dog.
5. Birdshot from adjacent ranges gives "Quickly, Quickly" new meaning.
Rifleman. That says it all.

SamD

#9
January 19, 2009, 07:52:45 PM
BTW,
WestTx mentioned a fellow name Mateo Delgado.  He was first introduced to e at an El Paso gun show a couple of months back.  Scout told me about him too.
Looking at him, you probably aren't going to be impressed. Talk with him and you should be. Watch him on the line and you WILL BE.
This was his second Appleseed. Mateo was out there on the line all day Saturday and Sunday.  He is knocking on that Rifleman's door real hard.  If any one ever gives me  any crap about how they can't do something, anyone ever tells me they don't have what it takes to persist, they are going on the line right next to Mateo.  They will very quickly learn the meaning of Persistence. Be happy to have him on the line with me any day.  A Hell of a guy! and very soon, a giant with a rifle. O0

Longshot

#10
January 20, 2009, 12:19:19 AM
Got home a couple of hours ago.



  Yeah, what they said.....

I'll be back here in a few hours and do this right.




Best Appleseed I've ever worked!!!!     ( hey, ....wait a minute......Texas?.......did I type that out loud?....)


Longshot
" In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man; brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot." Mark Twain..?

"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it."  Jeff Co

Longshot

#11
February 05, 2009, 11:21:14 PM
As promised, I'm back. Got distracted..... for a couple of weeks!

Those who were more diligent and posted above covered the happenings at El Paso very well, with a couple of minor omissions...

The line had the youngest average age I have seen at any shoot. Out of 19 shooters, fully half were under the age of 25. This in itself presented challenges and rewards, particularly for the instructors.

Additionally, it was a re-learning of important desert survival points. Water, sunscreen, shade(hats) and cover for rifles are all NOT OPTIONAL! Hydration, especially, is important for shooter focus.

Special kudos to a couple of shooters who REALLY overcame, Sharon and Mateo.

The same  kudos to all the IIT's, who rose to the challenge and did everyone proud. Little did they know just how heavy those Red Hats really are!

Longshot
" In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man; brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot." Mark Twain..?

"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it."  Jeff Co
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