Colorado Springs, CO - AAR - Apr 17-18, 2021

[Captain]

A group of Appleseeders, dedicated to liberty, once again gathered at the Pikes Peak Gun Club to commemorate that famous "shot heard round the world". Our springtime Colorado weather provided an opportunity for a "Winterseed Patch" on Saturday, but the bitter cold relented to a sunny but cool day on Sunday. We shared the stories of April 19th 1775 and celebrated the tradition of American Marksmanship! Huzzah!

Our sold out shoot of 11 was whittled down to 8 by the start of the event on Saturday AM. The challenging conditions and the ensuing equipment issues would see 3 more shooters unable to return on Sunday. So with 5 shooters who were on the line for both days of the event, 4 scored expert and took home a special edition Rifleman's Patch! Empty spots on the line also left space for instructors to get behind their rifles and "walk the walk" and preserve those perishable marksmanship skills. Four were able to spend some time down on the mats and requalify.

I'll work on posting the pictures I was able to take. You can click on them to see the full size photo and click again to shrink down. I'd also encourage any of the participants to post and thoughts, photos or comments into the thread. Registering for the forum is free and it also provides the ability to be notified when there is a post to the Colorado Appleseed thread, so you'll be the first to know when new events are planned or posted in Colorado (or nearby in New Mexico/Wyoming).

And for those who were asking, our next event with available slots is a Rimfire Known Distance up in Boulder on May 22, 2021. This is a one day event where we'll work on mastering our rimfire rifles out past 25 meters. Sign up today! We also had a cancelation for next weekend's event up in Boulder, opening up two slots. Come join us!


Group photo at lunch on Day 2


"To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour."
― Sir Winston Churchill

[Milehixj]

Look at the super fresh and shiny red hat !!!!

[Mrs. Smith]

Nice 

[Captain]

Our host range was the Pike's Peak Gun Club. These guys always come through for Appleseed and support us all year long and even on short notice. They advance a discount and charge our shooters the same rate paid by club members. Situated on the SE side of Colorado Springs, this club makes Appleseed possible in the Springs. The facilities are top notch and always getting better. We already have several Appleseeders who are members. Thank you PPGC for your awesome support!

[Captain]

The first day of the event was COLD; freezing temperatures, high winds and even a couple of snowflakes. We weren't planning for a winterseed, but sometimes Colorado gives you the winter weather anyway!

Driving to the range Saturday morning

Even though it was a cold day, at least the snow stayed away from the range . . . for the most part.

[Captain]

Before we could get started, we had to find a new Blue Hat for our latest volunteer - Colorado Red! She fell in love with the Appleseed mission and finally took the opportunity to get a hat and become a volunteer. I tried to help her get started with registration but she'd wasn't havin' it! She took over the admin duties and we were soon ready to get started. She also decided she'd like to help out on the line and spent the entire day Sunday as RSO.


Welcome aboard Colorado Red!

[bravhrt]

Congratulations to the shooters who earned a patch and to those instructors who re-qualified. Also, kudos to Flux on earning the esteemed red hat. A great weekend overall, despite less than ideal conditions on Saturday. The 13 round volley in memory of the patriots who fell in defense of liberty on April 19, 1775 was the cherry on the sundae!

[Captain]

Welcomes, some introductions and safety.




It was time for some shooting and the first target was the Hits Count (aka Redcoat).


The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."― Edmund Burke.

[Captain]

After that first Hits Count target on Saturday, we knew there were some shooters on the line! Karl and Michael both cleared the very first Redcoat of the weekend.



They both earned the Saratoga Quarter depicting British General John Burgoyne surrendering his sword to General Horatio Gates of the Continental Army at Saratoga, New York - which renewed hope for American independence and secured support from France. Nice work!


It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.~ Samuel Adams

[Captain]

Then the instruction in precision marksmanship began in earnest. We divided our shooters and instructors into smaller teams and everyone began to "drink from the firehose" as we covered the basics of position, six steps and natural point of aim.






"Our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty." - Samual Adams

That is a sobering thought to keep in mind today, as well.

[Captain]

Of course the fundamentals of precision marksmanship were only a small part of something bigger - the message of liberty. We broke for a lunch together on the range and shared the story of April 19th, 1775. It may have been cold on the range but the fires of liberty were never hotter!

MilehiXJ tells the First Strike

Bravhrt and the Second Strike

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated. - Thomas Paine

[Captain]

As our first day came to an end, we had an opportunity to test our new skills against the Appleseed Qualification Test or AQT.

It is not because things are difficult
that we do not dare.
It is because we do not dare
that they are difficult.~ Seneca


We found our first two Riflemen of the weekend. Karl put up the first qualifying score and took the first "Special Edition" Rifleman Patch, but Scoped It Out was right on his heels and opted for a "Winterseed" Patch. Nice shooting!

[Captain]

Sunday's weather was much nicer after our frigid Saturday! Flux led us off with the story of the return of the Regulars to Boston after their first test against American marksmanship at the North Bridge. It was a long march home!

[Captain]

We were soon back on the line for the morning Hits Count target (aka Redcoat) and Oneshot_onehole decided to kick off the day by clearing the target and getting his own Saratoga Quarter.

[Captain]

A few squares were done and everyone was ready to work some AQTs.

[Captain]

Before lunch, Lonnie and Michael both earned a patch.


At lunch on Sunday, we shared some short stories about lesser known heros from the American Revolution. We also talked about continuing the Rifleman's journey and taking action to protect this fragile gift of Liberty that we've been so blessed to inherit. One of our shooters, Rob, had to leave at lunch on Sunday but he made great progress and was "in the hunt" for an expert score when he departed.

We also recognized Conner for the high standard he set all weekend in maturity and coachability.


The MVP for the shoot was Karl who after attending previous Appleseeds, returned with both his son and one of his friends. He was awarded with a Copper 2nd Amendment coin.

[Captain]

A little more shooting and it was time for the Memorial Volley. Shoots in April are special as we take a moment to reflect on the fallen from the 19th of April in 1775. With a full firing line of shooters and instructors, we remembered each name and fired a shot in their honor. It was a somber moment but a great moment to share with this gathered group of Appleseeders.

This day still had some surprises. The first was Conner getting his Rifleman's patch on the last target of the day. He personified persistence shooting his irons and kept improving until he earned his patch. Well done!


Two more redcoats were cleared by Michael and Flux forcing me to wonder how long those things are going to last!


Finally, we got one of the new Colorado Cadre patches to Oneshot_onehole.


It was another great Appleseed with some great shooters and volunteers. Big thanks to everyone who came out and please post and comments, observations or pictures.

Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success. ~
Napoleon Hill

[Captain]

We also had the pleasure of seeing Flux trade in his orange hat for a new Red Hat. Congratulations!!