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We lost a good one!

Started by Tennessee Beast, November 16, 2023, 11:00:57 AM

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Tennessee Beast

November 16, 2023, 11:00:57 AM
With sadness, I must inform you of the loss of TNColonel (Claude Morse).  He passed away at his home this past Sunday.  He was an amazing ambassador for Project Appleseed for over 15 years and was very committed to serving others...especially veterans.  I feel like it is appropriate that he passed on Veterans Day weekend.  Memorial services will be held December 2, 2023. Visitation 12PM-1PM and service at 1PM at Trinity Lutheran Church at 705 Wilson Avenue in Tullahoma, Tennessee. A good showing of Project Appleseed instructors at his memorial service would warm his wife Bobbie's heart. Please keep Bobbie and Claude's family in your thoughts and prayers.     

Here is his obituary:

Claude Morse, Coffee County Commissioner of District 2, has passed away.

Claude Morse was active in many community organizations, not limited to, but including:

Arnold Air Force Association Chapter, Wreaths Across America, The Arnold Community Council, Friends of the NRA, Project Appleseed, Honor Flight and was Judge Advocate for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10904.

Memorial services will be held December 2, 2023. Visitation 12PM-1PM and service at 1PM at Trinity Lutheran Church at 705 Wilson Avenue in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Kimberly King, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10904 has released this statement:

It is often said that someone who died while on active duty, gave his or her life for their country. Claude Morse did not die while he was still serving in the Air Force but I would contend that he too, gave his life for his country.

Instead of retiring to a life leisure, Claude chose to serve. He was the most active member of my VFW Post when it came to contributing to the community and volunteer work.

His involvement included working with the Arnold Community Council, AEDC Fellows Program, Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee, Highland Rim Shooters Club, Project Appleseed, Wreaths Across America, Friends of the NRA and Coffee County Republican Party.

On top of all of that, Claude was our VFW Post 10904, Judge Advocate, for the past 5 years and a Coffee County Commissioner.

Each year, our members are asked to report the total amount of volunteer hours and miles they drove when performing volunteer work. In 2022, Claude reported a mind-blowing 1,968 hours of volunteer work and 3,192 miles to perform this work.

Breaking this down, if you were to work an average 40-hour work week, the hours would total 160 hours. Each month, Claude was reporting 164 hours, equivalent to working a full time job every month of the year.

We will never forget the time we shared with Claude in our lives. And it should be noted that our Post has won the VFW National All-American Award for the past 5 years in a row.  Claude, has been an officer in our Post for the past 5 years. This is no coincidence. Claude was indeed a treasured member of our VFW Post. A true friend to his core, and devoted in every way possible to making sure his community was better.

Thank you Claude for teaching us all how to live with a servant's heart.


https://thunder1320.com/updated-coffee-county-commissioner-claude-morse-memorial-scheduled/
In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom, God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.
John Lancaster Spalding

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, 1775

"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies."  George Washington 1790

"[T]o preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them…"
- Richard Henry Lee, Declaration Signer

Practice every time you get a chance. - Bill Monroe

Maximum Ordinate

#1
November 16, 2023, 12:37:16 PM
TnColonel awarded my patch.  I was privileged to Shoot Boss many events at his range.

Most of the instructors in the Tennessee Valley trace their Appleseed lineage through TnColonel.

He was a good man and will be missed.  I'm sure the Founders he revered so much welcomed him with open arms.   :'(
We're in the Liberty business.  Stay on Mission - Stay on Message.

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Cleveland

#2
November 16, 2023, 01:06:34 PM

TnColonel awarded me my rifleman patch at Elk River Training Center many years ago. His presence here will be missed. He was a true Patriot.
The highest level of mastery is simplicity. Most information is irrelevant and most effort is wasted, but only the expert knows what to ignore. James Clear

Rifleman 19April2015
KD Qualified 17Oct2015
Pistoleer 12Dec2020
KD Requal 11Nov2021 50/50
Pistol IBC/Charter Pistol Instructor Antioch 2-22
200y RKD Qualified 14May2022

Roswell

#3
November 16, 2023, 01:27:31 PM
I regret never having met Claude, but heard many good things. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest easy Rifleman.
Known Distance Qualified: Talladega, AL 12-3-16 - 45/50; Top Requal Score (Distinguished) 49/50 - Talladega, AL 12-8-19
Instructor Boot Camp: Toccoa, GA 7-13, 8-15; Pelham, TN 2-14, 2-16; Columbiana, AL 2-15; Canton, GA 2-18, 1-19, 2-20, 2-21, 3-22, 2-23
Shoot Boss Boot Camp and Liberty Seminar: Toccoa, GA 8-14 & Canton, GA 1-19

Pistol Instructor Boot Camp: South Huntsville, AL 5-20; Canton, GA 1-21
Pistol Qualified: Spencer, TN 4-10-21
Charter Pistol Instructor Boot Camp: Antioch, TN 2-22 & Canton, GA 1-23

ArmyVet

#4
November 16, 2023, 01:28:06 PM
TnColonel awarded me my rifleman patch at Manchester on Sep 2, 2018. He gave me my Orange Hat on Sep 29, 2018.

His dedication to our mission (and many others) will be missed. Rest in peace, Colonel.

dond

#5
November 16, 2023, 02:41:55 PM
Claude came to his first event at Puryear, where I was SB. He asked that I SB at Manchester, which I did. It was the first one there, and my wife, Sarah, and I were the only Appleseeders there, with a full line. He left a true legacy in Tennessee which has fostered such an admirable and competent crew of Patriots. This is such a sad day.
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add "within the limits of the law" because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.  Thomas Jefferson

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.  H. L. Mencken

scuzzy

#6
November 16, 2023, 06:10:09 PM
May the Lord welcome you into his Kingdom.

While we never met in person we've had buku PMs back and forth and I know he was dedicated to our cause. And was definitely one of our Brothers in Arms.

Rest in Peace.
"Pray. But eventually you're going to have to pick up a rock." - David

DEH

#7
November 16, 2023, 06:49:31 PM Last Edit: November 16, 2023, 06:52:00 PM by DEH
Very Definitely lost a good one.  As I recall Claude was the TN State Coordinator while he was an orange hat.  TazDevil and I drove out to Manchester in the fall of 2010 because the shoot had like 45 shooters and no Shoot Boss.  Of all the instructors that were there the only one I remember is TnColonel. Primarily because of his character and passion for service.  For some reason he just stood out.

A few pics I could quickly find.



OLD FOOL FROM THE OLD SCHOOL.
I REMEMBER AN APPLESEED BEFORE MORGAN'S SHINGLE
APPLESEED
11/08-IBC
3/09-Red Hat
10/09-FT Stewart
10/10-RBC-KD
10/14&15-Long Distance
6/15-1000Yd
5/22-KD
250

I.C.E '11 Combat Focus Shooting.

Tactical Response. '09-'12
Fighting Rifle/Pistol, Immediate Action Medical, Way of the Rifle

MTN Guerrilla-2013/Irreg Warfare

Max Velocity Tactical. 2013-2022. RIFLEMAN,TEAM COYOTE
CRCDx2,Combat Patrol,Rifleman Challenge,CQB,CTT,FOFx2. DCHx2

Army-Small Arms Instructor

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, & bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
2Cor10:4-5

Our struggle is not against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this {world's}darkness, & against the spiritual [forces] of evil in the heavenly realms.
Eph 6-12

Tennessee Beast

#8
November 25, 2023, 12:32:30 PM
Should we wear Appleseed gear or coat and tie?
In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom, God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.
John Lancaster Spalding

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, 1775

"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies."  George Washington 1790

"[T]o preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them…"
- Richard Henry Lee, Declaration Signer

Practice every time you get a chance. - Bill Monroe

Mrs. Smith

#9
November 25, 2023, 01:20:52 PM
Quote from: Tennessee Beast on November 25, 2023, 12:32:30 PMShould we wear Appleseed gear or coat and tie?

Just a thought, Beast, but I should think a jacket and tie with an Appleseed lapel pin will be just right to show respect for TNColonel and all he did for our program.
"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't." - Margaret Thatcher

"You can have peace, or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once." - Robert A. Heinlein

"A generation which ignores history has no past, and no future." - Lazarus Long

"What we do now echoes in eternity." Marcus Aurelius

Waco 1-17       Waco 1-19     El Paso 7-19       Alamogordo 5-20     Albuquerque 7-21       Houston 8-21 (SBC)
Colorado Springs  2-22 (SBC)    Midland 8-22 (KDIBC)     Albuquerque 2-23      Harvard 5-23

Steck

#10
November 26, 2023, 10:31:59 PM
May his memory be a blessing.

Tennessee Beast

#11
November 28, 2023, 07:49:47 PM
Quote from: Mrs. Smith on November 25, 2023, 01:20:52 PM
Quote from: Tennessee Beast on November 25, 2023, 12:32:30 PMShould we wear Appleseed gear or coat and tie?
Just a thought, Beast, but I should think a jacket and tie with an Appleseed lapel pin will be just right to show respect for TNColonel and all he did for our program.

That is a Great idea!!!  Let's all do that!!!!
In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom, God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.
John Lancaster Spalding

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, 1775

"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies."  George Washington 1790

"[T]o preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them…"
- Richard Henry Lee, Declaration Signer

Practice every time you get a chance. - Bill Monroe

Hardbean

#12
November 30, 2023, 03:51:20 PM
Claude helped me get my start in Appleseed.  He was always eager to help and assist attendees.  He usually brought a small gun show's worth of loaner rifles with him in the back of his van.  When he noticed me struggling with my bolt action, he loaned me one of his 10/22 hot rods without hesitation.

I graduated high school with his daughter.  He brought his pets to my father (veterinarian and Rifleman).  He was not related to us in any way but he felt like family member. 

Claude exemplified what a community member could and should be.  He will be greatly missed.

Tennessee Beast

#13
December 02, 2023, 12:42:27 PM
For those who cannot make it, it will be live-streamed on YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/live/FxjHEoxY97Y?si=PWo45REKIvKYVinZ
In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom, God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.
John Lancaster Spalding

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, 1775

"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies."  George Washington 1790

"[T]o preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them…"
- Richard Henry Lee, Declaration Signer

Practice every time you get a chance. - Bill Monroe

Old Navy Doc

#14
December 02, 2023, 07:47:10 PM
I just returned from Claude's memorial and funeral service. The Appleseed faithful were well represented by many from Tennessee and Alabama, I barely recognized some in their non-instructor gear.

Claude's grandson was splendid in full Army Captain's uniform. He spoke of how he shares what he learned at Manchester Appleseeds with his troops, to the benefit of them and our nation!

Claude's legacy will continue and be an inspiration to us all. I know I and my daughter were blessed to be exposed and influenced by him.

Steve
First AS: Ramseur 2/09
Rifleman: Charlotte 11/14
Orange Hat: Calera 1/15
KD Rifleman: Puryear 5/15
Red Hat: Sevierville  11/16
Rimfire KD: Huntsville 12/20
Pistoleer: Huntsville 2/21

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."  Plato

Mrs. Smith

#15
December 03, 2023, 09:41:51 AM
That's lovely. Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't." - Margaret Thatcher

"You can have peace, or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once." - Robert A. Heinlein

"A generation which ignores history has no past, and no future." - Lazarus Long

"What we do now echoes in eternity." Marcus Aurelius

Waco 1-17       Waco 1-19     El Paso 7-19       Alamogordo 5-20     Albuquerque 7-21       Houston 8-21 (SBC)
Colorado Springs  2-22 (SBC)    Midland 8-22 (KDIBC)     Albuquerque 2-23      Harvard 5-23
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