AAR - Santa Barbara CA - April 18-19, 2009

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  We had a wonderful weekend at Winchester Canyon Gun Club in the mountains overlooking Santa Barbara.  The weather was perfect with just enough breeze to keep us cool.  We had a dozen shooters pre-registered, but ten more walked on to fill up the line (that's 22 shooters).  Everybody jumped in to help put up the target backers, and staple targets.  After the safety briefing, and reviewing the line commands we dropped right into our red coat shooting.  One of the shooters "cleaned" the red coat target straight away.  We ran the standard program with shooters steadily improving throughout the day.  Knowing what a special weekend this was, extra attention was given (yes, XTRA ATTENTION) to the history surrounding the "shot heard round the world".
  At 1:00PM, we had to interrupt lunch with The Nationwide Liberty Volley, to send shots downrange - one for each fallen patriot.  We safed the rifles, then Jacques did an excellent job describing the events leading up to - and the clash at the first conflict in Lexington.  Laurie took the second strike, and showed a map on a poster board to familiarize everyone with the location of Barrett's Farm,  Buttrick House, Punkatasset Hill, and the North Bridge.  I think this did a lot to help people understand the time and distances of the events as they unfolded. I relayed the 3rd strike, then it was "shooters to the line!"
Most of our shooters signed up for the Frontsight Challenge Membership, a special offer for California Appleseed Shooters this weekend.

  On Sunday we lost a few, and ran the day with 12 shooters.  Near the end of the day we had everybody "prep 40".  We moved everyone off the range, put our hands together on a large boulder, then started them off to take the line on a rapid fire Red Coat AQT.  "FIRE, for God's sake FIRE as fast as you can!"
  

We had two shooters qualify rifleman (Steve and Nick) both landing scores consistently in the mid 220s.  Jessica showed promise Saturday afternoon, and Sunday she hung right there at a bit over 200 for most of the day.  She says she will return to shoot the score and get her Rifleman patch.  Both Steve and Nick agreed to take orange hats, and help others succeed in learning marksmanship and heritage. 

  I could not have pulled this off without the help of Jacques and Laurie (Minerva Ogive).  This was the first time for either of them to wear the orange hat.  Jacques took a full load, taught several of the lessons, and helped call the line.  Laurie hopped in to handle the administration, covered the safety rules, grounding the rifles, talking targets, and calling the line.  She'll be awesome after attending an Instructor Boot Camp.
  Special thanks also to Junior Birdman, and Bob 210.  Bob 210 is the California State Coordinator, and with all he had to attend to this weekend (9 shoots here in California), Bob made time to call me Friday afternoon, then again Sunday night to follow up on me and my shoot.  Bob Genuinely cares about my success as a shoot boss, and has spared no effort in helping me along when I need it.  Master Instructor Junior Birdman ran the recent Instructor Boot Camp in Piru, CA.  Jacques certainly did his part, and attending the IBC put him well on the road to success as an instructor.

  I have photos which I'll post in another entry (once I find the special cable for the camera).

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pix 1-10

[SavageShootr]

Congratulations to the new Riflemen out there in Santa Barbara! Welcome new California IIT's.

Good job F-stop, Minerva and Jacques. 

Jessica, practice what you learned, dry fire "by the numbers" and you will persist.

Isn't it great how everyone pitches in and helps out with whatever it is that needs doing at Appleseed!

Thanks for the report.

~SS

I forgot to mention, I agree with Grant, that Bob210 is AMAZING. He has put CA on the Appleseed map. (yes, there is one) Thank You, Bob, for all that you do. 

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[Minerva Ogive]

I agree wholeheartedly with F-Stop.  The weather was absolutely beautiful in Santa Barbara and Winchester Canyon Gun Club was a fabulous location for a shoot.   Grant did a great job shoot bossing and Jacque certainly gave it his all and was a great help to everyone there.

I give much credit to the shooters.  Their determination, dedication and love of our country is what made this Appleseed very rewarding for everyone involved.

[LayloPro]

Absolutely!! The shooters are the ones who truly make it all worthwhile for the Instructors.....
Good job, all, & great shoot!!
Congrats on both the Riflemen, & the IIT's!! <
Keep it up!!
LLP

[sespe]

Wow, I'm jelous!  We only had hot sun and blowing sand down in Piru! 

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  One of the shooters, John Taylor send me a CD with his pix, here they are.

1-15

(1903-1917)

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16-30

(1918-1932)

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31-45

(1933-1947)

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46-60

(1948-1962)

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61-62

(1963-1964)