Manchester, TN, October 31, 2020

[CokeGuy]

Delighted to have 8 enthusiastic souls arrive at the Arnold Air Force Base Range to learn how to improve their marksmanship skills and to hear some Revolutionary War history. The weather was perfect and the instructors were ready. How much better can it get? 25% of those on the line shot their first Rifleman scores (Duayne: 211, 215, 222, 226; Allen: 217) AND request to become Instructors in Training! Then, Katie stepped up to become a Blue Hat volunteer. It was also a great opportunity for Booney Stomper to continue to develop his skills to progress towards Shoot Boss, and for Eagle Keeper(IIT0) to work his first event as RSO and Line Boss. Top that with 2 new Red Hat Instructors: Palousie and Army Vet! Congratulations! Looking forward to working with you both again soon.

Cathy and Katie, it was a delight to work with you both and to see you apply the points of instruction with good results. Cathy, a different loaner rifle with a shorter stock next time will help you greatly. Monica, recover and come again soon; yes, Appleseed clinics are physically draining. But you persisted; you can do it. Maybe a different loaner rifle would help you as well? Logan and Noah, so happy to see you both progress during the course of the two days. Anne, thanks for providing moral support for Noah on Sunday. Hope you will get on the line again soon.

What a great cadre of instructors! So pleased to have Maximum Ordinate & Ramblin' Wreck to come supplement our instruction on Sunday. Then, TN Colonel, Blue Grass Colonel and Nashville Stage show up just to cheer us all on on Sunday.  Booney Stomper, you really made great progress in spite of all the "hep" from headquarters. Well done, sir.
I know there were lots of photos...please post them.

[Tennessee Beast]

I enjoyed working with all the shooters.  I saw lots of improvement and am very pleased that ArmyVet and Palousie earned their red hats and we had 3 students step up to volunteer.  Also of note is that ArmyVet earned his 10 shoots pin.  I took a few pictures of ArmyVet and Palousie getting their red hats (sorry they turned out so dark).   

[Ramblin' Wreck]

The old Wreck had a great time at the shoot in Manchester. The highlight for me was telling my cousin Duayne that he'd shot a qualifying score on the first AQT of his THIRD Appleseed event. You can see his reaction. 


Earning his Rifleman patch meant he could now accomplish his next goal, becoming an Appleseed Instructor in Training. Look for "Lead Farmer" on the line soon.




Holly gets her Red Hat presented by her mentor, the National Coordinator, Maximum Ordinate.



ArmyVet with two of his mentors, Booney Stomper and CokeGuy.



And on the last AQT of the day, Duayne's last Rifleman score of 226 (out of 4) and Allen's qualifying target.



And then we got to welcome Allen to the Appleseed family.

It was a great weekend with perfect weather and attentive shooters with teachable attitudes. You can't ask for much more than that. I hope to see everyone on the line again soon.

The only shot that counts is the next one. Stay focused.
Wreck

[Black Knight]

Allen, that's terrific!!  I could see you were almost there.  Congratulations on your persistence to pull it all together. You look good in an orange hat.  I will see you on the line soon.

Duayne, nothing like consistency.  On Sunday, you definitely knew what you were about!!  Thanks for stepping up; I am looking forward to working with you on the line.

[CokeGuy]

Thanks, again, to all for making this a great event!

[Black Knight]

This was truly a great weekend for Appleseed!!  The weather was just right and the results certainly showed: 2 new Riflemen, 2 new Orange Hats, 1 new Blue Hat and two new Red Hats.  Every Appleseed event should be like this.  We all need to do more seventh stepping to make it happen.

[Black Knight]

And just like all the recognition, the photos keep coming!