Coeur d'Alene, ID 23-24 April Patriots Day Appleseed, AAR

[P7]

We had a very successful and rewarding Patriots Day Appleseed event this year at the Fernan Rod & Gun Club in Coeur d'Alene.  Although the weather forecast early in the week suggested a chance of rain, we had two beautiful sunny days with temperatures that started in the mid-30's in the very early mornings but rose to the high 50's and into the 60's in the afternoon.  A little wind on Sunday afternoon was only a minor nuisance. 

With 21 shooters on Saturday and 17 returning on Sunday, it was a well-attended event.  We had seven or eight instructors present each day, for a very good instructor/student ratio.  Many hands make light work, and better coaching for the shooters!

The shooters were attentive and focused, and we observed a great deal of improvement throughout the weekend. We had three newly-qualified Riflemen earn the full-color version as their first Rifleman patch, and one experienced Appleseeder re-qualify and earn the Patriots Day patch as well.  Three Young Patriots persisted through the entire event and were awarded the new William Diamond patch.  Everyone participated in the Memorial Volley, and went home with a Patriots Day Patch as well as a copy of the "Bloody Butchery" poster, which we hope will find a place of honor in their homes.

The instructors worked well together, and as usual we learned from each other as well as from our participants.  Wagon earned promotion to IIT-2, and continues on the path to full instructor.  Beardo was very diligent about taking photos, and a selection of them are posted below.  I encourage anyone else who took photos to post them as well.  Finally, tomabbkat accepted the challenge and stepped up to volunteer as an instructor, and took his Orange Hat on Sunday afternoon.  We all look forward to working with him as he progresses to Red hat.

The instructors made a number of observations and notes, and we encourage the participants to add your observations as well.  We are always looking for ways to improve the quality of future events!

[P7]

Many thanks to Beardo for taking so many photos. But I just learned that iPhones starting with the iPhone 11 save photos in a different format - HEIC.  This format is incompatible with the Appleseed forum as well as many other apps.  Here is an article on how to convert photos to JPG, a more widely-compatible format:

https://backlightblog.com/iphone-heic-to-jpg

I'll be working on converting some of the photos so that they can be posted here.

[P7]

Fernan Rod & Gun Club, Bay 7

[P7]

Starting off with some history.

[P7]

Mr. Clean and Wagon instructing.

[P7]

Mr. Clean and Wagon

[P7]

Mr. Clean and Wagon

[P7]

Snow Snake instructs the six steps of firing the shot.

[P7]

Our first new Rifleman of the weekend!

[P7]

tomabbkat is our first re-qualification!

[P7]

P7 and eert review the standing position

[P7]

eert & andpower review the sitting position.

[P7]

eert & andpower

[P7]

P7 & Mr. Clean prepare to review prone

[P7]

P7 introducing "Bloody Butchery"

[P7]

Another new Rifleman!

[P7]

Snow Snake presents the Rifleman patch to his son.

[P7]

tomabbkat taking his Orange Hat as an Instructor in Training

[P7]

Shooters and Instructors

[P7]

The instructors: P7, Mr. Clean, Snow Snake, Wagon, andpower, eert, & Beardo.  2x4 was watching the line - we need to get her in the photo next time!

[P7]

One of the two Memorial Volley targets.  The other one went home with a Young Patriot.

[Snow Snake]

It was indeed a  fine patriotic weekend.P7 led the Memorial Volley (quite inspiring).   :'
The students were enthusiastic and attentive.It showed too.Patches and increasing scores everywhere.Three shoot bosses smoothly leading and ITT's with teachable attitudes makes for an awesome experience.I had the joy of presenting my son with his Rifleman patch.HUZZAH,HUZZAH,HUZZAH.
Thanks to Fernan Gun Club for their support for all these many years.

[eert]

Greetings shooters,

We picked up 2 lawn chairs left Sunday pm.  Please let me know if I can get them to back to you.

It was great meeting and working with all of you. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to message me.   Hope to see you all on the line again.

Eert/Pat

[eert]

P7 coordinated and presented the best Memorial Volley I have seen.  Glad I could be a part of it.

As evidenced by the targets below, I would not have wanted to be a Redcoat on the Concord Bridge facing this crew.  HUZZAH!

[P7]

Thanks for the reminder on the chairs, Pat - I meant to post this photo as well.

These are now in the Fernan Rod & Gun Club lost and found.  Please contact me or Pat if you are not a club member and would like assistance retrieving them.

[Earl]

Great job. Liberty lives.

[eert]

Earl,

Indeed it does. The Shoot could only have been better if Fernan was graced by your presence. I'll never be the Instructor you or Hawkhavn are, but I keep trying!  Thank you for your efforts in making me a better shooter and Instructor. You SIR are a true hero.

Regards,
Eert/Pat

[Earl]

I like thinking I would be ready, but I have minor surgery scheduled tomorrow.

[Mulk777]

Shoot, I forgot to grab those...  I will be back in 2 weeks for the Pistol shoot and can grab them then. 

Thanks for the great shoot, and all the teaching.  My son and I learned a lot, and will be practicing between now and the next Appleseed we can attend.

God Bless,
Nathan

Thanks for the reminder on the chairs, Pat - I meant to post this photo as well.

These are now in the Fernan Rod & Gun Club lost and found.  Please contact me or Pat if you are not a club member and would like assistance retrieving them.