1. What brought you to Project Appleseed?
Last August my son, who is one of the leaders in his Trail Life group, called me and said, "Hey, Dad, do you want to go shoot some rifles?" I said, "What is it?" and he said, "It's called Project Appleseed, but I don't know a whole lot about it." And I said, "Well, sign me up!"
2. What drew you in to join as an instructor?
When I went to the first event, I went in not knowing about the history. I went there to shoot guns! I didn't quite shoot a qualifying score the first time. And I told the shoot boss and instructors there, "I'm coming back!" Then I went home and started reflecting about what we had done and looking into it more.
I came back in March this year and wound up shooting a qualifying score and I said, "I want a hat!" And I that's when I took my orange hat.
3. What has been a surprise to you about the process of the shooting or learning to instruct?
I've hunted all my life and used guns a lot, but never had any real formal instruction...other than the little bit I got in the military. But they don't spend much time refining things.
At my first Appleseed event I was kind of hard-headed. I thought, "I'm good. I'm going to be OK." But when I shot the first square I found out not everything was as good as I thought it was. So I started listening and paying more attention, and it made a difference.
I also started listening to the history and really thinking about what those people went through, what they sacrificed for us to be where we are today and get to do the things we can do. At the Rifleman Boot Camp I got online and ordered the Paul Revere's Ride book right then. It was waiting for me when I got home.
4. How is it working with your family in Project Appleseed?
Working with my son and my grandson has been great. My son and I went to the Rifleman Boot Camp, and that was the first time we'd done something together just as father and son in a long time. It was cool to spend time just me and him. We want to participate as a whole group in anything we can from now on.
My grandson, Evan, is doing great. He's getting more and more excited about it. And even my 13-year-old grandson is signed up for the October Boot Camp. His dad is having him dry fire every night!
5. What are your goals in Project Appleseed?
I want get something closer to home. The program has been around for twenty years, and I haven't heard about it until last fall. How that happened, I don't know! People around here see my shirt and say, "What's Project Appleseed?" So I tell them about it, and I want to get some interest around here. I plan to talk to ranges around here to get something put together.
I signed up for the Known Distance event in November. I want to go and learn what it's all about. Overall, I'm getting a lot of satisfaction helping someone else get better and do better.
BONUS: Is there anything else you'd like to share with the NC Appleseed family?
I think Appleseed is something we all should be involved with in some way, whether it's the history or the marksmanship. This country is swirling. If we don't save it what are our children going to have in twenty-five, thirty, or forty years after we're gone? There are a lot of things happening in other countries that just don't happen here. I can't imagine living like that, under a certain type of rule and reign.
The connection with Project Appleseed goes back to how this country started, how it was founded. What those people went through, what they sacrificed; they gave their lives to make this a place where people can live free. It's a great place to be, and we need to keep it that way!
