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Welcome Shooter, to the October edition of The Liberty Pole, Project Appleseed’s monthly newsletter.
You did it !!! Thank you to all who contributed to Mantis' #TRAINtheWORLD event in September. Mantis exceeded their goal of 10 million shots and are funding $100,000 in grants to selected organizations. Project Appleseed was selected and will benefit from everyone's dry fire. Thank you shooters and Mantis.
October is Pistolseed month, events this month will have special patches and special targets. Check the calendar and come join us.
This month we also highlight some events from all over the country, showcase some history, and talk about our event at Hinsdale College.
We do still have two Tippmann Appleseed Edition M4-22 Elite rifles donated by Waco Tactical Fitness available in our 250 for America's 250 Marksmanship Challenge. Get to an Appleseed event and go for that perfect 250 !!!
As always, thank you for reading.
"Shooters, your preparation period begins now ..."s now !!!" |
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“I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I think, and out of all that I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can"
— Marquis de Lafayette
Portrait By: Joseph-Désiré Court, Public Domain.
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October is
Pistolseed Month |
In celebration of the launch of our newly retooled Pistolseed™ program, and in honor of the 250th birthday of America, we were charged with listening to YOU. What do our volunteers and supporters want from us?
Every Pistol event in October will feature full color PQTs. Patterned after our Red, White and Blue 25M AQTs, these targets are eye-catching and patriotic, and you'll defintely want to display your best score on the wall at home. If the full color targets weren't enough, you'll also have the chance to earn FULL COLOR Pistoleer™ Patches!
So what do YOU need to do? Get to a Pistolseed™ near you! |
Thank you to Mantis'
#TRAINtheWORLD |
Dry fire isn't just an Appleseed skill; it's a LIFE skill. Mantis reached their September goal of 10,000,000 shots. This achievement unlocked $100,000 in grants of which Project Appleseed will be a recipient. Stay tuned for more announcements. Thank you shooters and thank you Mantis for your wonderful program!!! |
Project Appleseed
Presents at
Hillsdale College |
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On September 4th, 2026, Michigan volunteers SteelThunder and TL, assisted by MI-Copperhead, showcased three Revolutionary War-era firearms at Hillsdale College's John Anthony Halter Shooting Sports Education Center. The display, which was open to those attending the College's Center for Military and History conference on the Revolutionary War, featured a fowling piece, a Pennsylvania Long Rifle, and the Brown Bess. The volunteers described how and by whom they were used during the Revolution.
The College hosts an annual seminar on military and political history. This year's topic was the Revolutionary War in honor of America's 250th anniversary. Project Appleseed was invited to showcase period firearms in a display titled, "Firearms of the American Revolution and the Pursuit of Liberty."
Structured around 3 ubiquitous period firearms, the presenters not only spoke of the firearms, but also of the people that may have used each. Through the lens of the fowling piece, the audience heard stories of Jonathan Parker and Isaac Davis, key militia leaders on April 19th, 1775, and the battles of Lexington and Concord. The Pennsylvania Long Rifle created a marker to discuss riflemen, like those in Daniel Morgan's "Morgan's Men" rifle corps, who were instrumental in multiple battles, including Saratoga, King's Mountain and Cowpens. Finally, through the Brown Bess, or the Short Land Pattern musket, listeners heard of the daily life and difficulties of soldiers both in the British regular force as well as the Continental Army. Held at Hillsdale's beautiful new John A. Halter Shooting Sports Education Center (which also serves as the official home and training center for the USA Shooting National Team), Project Appleseed's presentation included displays of period uniforms, tools and personal items and included a live fire demonstration of the Brown Bess.
Project Appleseed believes that the stories of the difficult situations, impossible choices and improbable courage of the common person are what brings history alive and converts it into our common, shared heritage. We also think that the names of those people and what they did deserve to be remembered. Our thanks to the college for including Project Appleseed and allowing us to rekindle a few brushfires of liberty in the hearts of the audience. |
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September 5-6
25M Rifle Clinic in Concord, CA from Shoot Boss 3Huzzahs
These Appleseed Participants also showed how working together pays off. "Plan the work, and work the plan". You have probably heard that phrase before, but the teams lived it during the Parker's Revenge Team event.
Pistolseed in Milton, FL from Shoot Boss Mrs Waky
On Sunday, we picked up where we left off. It was a good day of PQTs and drills. Everyone's favorite drill was the Whitlock drill. Being able to shoot various models, calibers, grip sizes and angles, and sighting systems opened the shooters' eyes to what other pistols are available, and some realized they did much better with something other than what they brought, while others were happy to know that their own pistol was a good fit. It was a very practical way for shooters to learn about the various options that exist.
September 12-13
Pistolseed in Macon, GA from Shoot Boss Rosswell
After putting things in perspective, we moved on to the marksmanship instruction. We learned about Safety and Pistol Terminology before the first target of the day, the Hits Count target. We saw we had some work to do and got down to it. Grip, Stance, Sight, Presentation, Trigger, Talking Targets, and One-handed Shooting.
25M Rifle Clinic in Wright City, MO by Shoot Boss 209Ken
The weather was hot, but not as hot as it had been lately. We jumped right in on Saturday with history, Hits Count target, and a lot of instruction. The shooters took to it immediately, and I could see them absorbing everything that was thrown at them.
25M Rifle Clinic in Waynesville, IL by Shoot Boss Bundt Pan
In addition to the standard course of fire, we had some great discussion on our history, and how the events leading up to April 19th formed the grievances in the Declaration of Independence and the protections of the Bill of Rights. One great question was "where did all those red coats stay in Boston?" which was a great segue to the 3rd Amendment.
Rimfire KD in Leyden, MA from Shoot Boss lupis42
That's what I call a weekend. 7 out of 9 shooters made Rifleman at the Leyden RKD. 7 Shooters joined Morgan's riflemen too, one even managing to get the second one from standing.
September 19-20
25M Rifle Clinic in Dubuque, IA from Shoot Boss IXOYE
We had "Mud Seed #2" in Dubuque as we endured nearly five inches of rain on Saturday. Sunday brought us drizzles off and on all day so it kept things wet, but no downpours that threatened to weigh down our overhead protection and pull stakes out of the ground like we encountered on Saturday.
Known Distanc in Dorr, MI from Shoot Boss SteelThunder
9 intrepid Patriots came to Dorr MI and the South Kent Sportsman Club to learn the Rifleman's Quarter Mile and refresh their connection with their heritage.
25M Rifle Clinic in Chattanooga, TN from Shoot Boss Maximum effort
We enjoyed an incredible time in Chattanooga with 14 brave Patriots showing up for a weekend full of history, marksmanship, and sunshine! Although the weather was on the sweltering side for the entire weekend, our Liberty loving students Persisted, by showing all of our instructor cadre that they knew exactly "what they were about"!! |
We still have TWO Tippmann Appleseed Edition M4-22 Elite rifle generously donated by Waco Tactical Fitness. to present to any perfect score of 250 on the Appleseed Qualification Test. Get to a 25M rifle clinic and shoot your best. For more information and the official rules, click below. |
October History:
Saratoga: the Battle That Changed the Revolution |
October reminds us of the Battle of Saratoga from 1777. AH1Tom explores how this victory changed the course of the Revolution.
The battlefield victory produced an even greater diplomatic result. France had already supplied the American cause secretly, but Saratoga convinced the government of King Louis XVI that the United States might survive and win. On February 6, 1778, France signed treaties of amity and commerce and military alliance with the Americans ... Saratoga did not end the war, and it did not erase rivalries within the American command. But it changed what victory seemed possible. A campaign designed to divide the colonies instead united their resistance, brought a powerful ally into the struggle, and gave the Revolution the momentum it needed to become independent.
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Surrender of Burgoyne
By John Trumbull, 1821, United States Capitol, Public Domain
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What our students
say about us ... |
Jon C. wrote ...
The instruction, coaching, history, professionalism AND just how committed you all were to improving me blew me away. Before, I spent twice the amount on other pistol classes, for half the time, and they consistently made me feel worse about my pistol marksmanship. This was the first time in my pistol career where I actually feel BETTER about my performance than ever before. I finally feel like I can be competent at shooting pistol!
Bruce B. wrote ...
Finally getting to apply the fundamentals taught at a 25m event and seeing the results out to 400yds was very gratifying. Utilizing BSZ (battle sight zero) with my dope from 300 was also a new experience and was great to see work so well. The cadre ran a safe, fun and efficient shoot and I enjoyed the stories I had never heard with some really relevant local flavor mixed in. After hearing about Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, I wish I had planned my trip a day longer so I could have toured Fort Ticonderoga a mere 90 minutes away.
Amanda P. wrote ...
The instructors and volunteers were top-notch, knowledgeable but also so patient and supportive. Their passion for the story of April 19 was evident and contagious. Knowing what I know now, I'm enthusiastically looking forward to coming back soon |
The Appleseed
General Store |
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Visit the Appleseed General Store !!!
Get all you need for your next Appleseed event. USGI slings and swivels, scope kits, targets and other shooting gear. Plus check out the t-shirts, sweat shirts and hats.
Did you earn your patch? We have Rifleman and Pistoleer items. Show off your accomplishment and proudly wear the gear.
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ALL proceeds go to support Project Appleseed |
- 25M Rifle Clinics:
- Known Distance (KD):
- TN, IA, AR, WI, ID, TX, IN
- Rimfire KD:
- PA, TX, CA, MI, MD, FL, IN, TN
- Pistol Clinics:
- MD, WI, IN, ID, CA, VA, IL, AR, PA, TN, MO, OH, NC, GA, AL, FL
- Ladyseed:
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One Minute to Help
Preserve Our Nation |
If you'd like to support Project Appleseed, there are plenty of ways to do so. You can buy tickets, buy store items, or make a 100% tax-deductible donation. We accept and are appreciative of all donations. Of course, the thing valued above all is TIME. Volunteers; those that can give up their time and help us out, in whatever capacity it may be, are what this program runs on. |
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Check out our reviews on Facebook. If you have a minute, we'd love to hear from you. What did you learn? What impact did Appleseed have on your life? And most importantly, did you have fun? We certainly hope so! Let us know and help spread the word. |
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Follow us on social media. Keep an eye on our schedule for future events.
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©2026 Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA®). All rights reserved. |
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... Shoot Boss, anything to add? |
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