"The only politicians we'll talk about at Appleseed have been dead for 200 years".
Thus spoke the shoot boss at the latest Appleseed clinic I attended. He went on to explain how it wasn't a political event, no one was going to talk about modern politicians, and history was the main topic. History, and the skills of a rifleman.
Talking with the volunteers at the weekend rifle clinic, they all had their stories regarding why they were there... and there was a common thread. A serious and dedicated desire to see people learn the history of their nation, and awaken in them a desire to seek liberty.
This, to my humble mind, is the lesson behind the history taught at Appleseed. The rifle clinic, with all the skills taught, is beyond valuable. That said... those skills are in fact more than just a fun challenge. They are the means that Americans used to reach their goals of freedom and liberty.
Scarcely hidden in the Appleseed teaching over the weekend is this notion; Americans, as a distinct breed, have been blessed
with the knowledge and skills needed to shape their own fate. Centering their history lessons on the single date: April 19th, 1775, the decisions made by Americans to fight for their own freedom are laid bare, and examined. Deeply entwined with that choice of fighting for liberty and freedom was the ability of those men and women to enforce their choice over the objection of the finest fighting forces of the world at that time... The British Regulars.A rifleman is a power unto himself, with all the responsibility that goes with it. Trained in basic marksmanship skills, and armed with only a serviceable rifle, a rifleman can have a clear and powerful effect on those who would do him
harm. Not just across a room, or across a city street... but at distances measured in fractions of a mile.One rifleman is a force to be reckoned with. Two rifleman are a force to be carefully respected. Five rifleman working as a team are a force not only worthy of respect, but of deep fear in the hearts of those who would subjugate them. A nation of riflemen.... can be nothing but a free people.
Unless they give that power away.
This is an unspoken lesson of Appleseed. Every man and woman has a choice to make: Freedom or slavery. It was a choice made over 200 years ago by entire families who wagered their very lives in a battle for their own freedom. They made their choice, and then took up arms to enforce their choice. Armed, they had the power to be a free people. Unarmed, they were mere peasants and rabble to be disregarded and abused at the whim of uncaring government.
I've never heard this articulated by an Appleseed volunteer... nor mentioned in their training material. Perhaps it's only the quiet musings of a fat old school teacher from Pennsylvania.
Take it for what you will.
7 comments:
Nope, it's the undercurrent/thoughts that people come up with on their own, as they listen to the truth...
As an IIT3 who this weekend will be testing for his IIT4 and "Red Hat", I have to say you nailed the spirit of the lesson.
That said, the real purpose of reawakening the spirit of liberty doesn't only apply to the rifle, but more importantly that people need to get off the couch, work as a team and get involved. Whether that is a national issue, writing a letter to the governor, visiting your local representative's office or going to a school board meeting.
A free people is an involved people. Sitting in front of a TV and yelling at it does nothing to advance the cause.
Good for you!
Wow, yes. I really don't know what else to say except that. Thanks for the beautiful write-up.
What you said and more.
I got the sense of people that had had enough. Enough taxation without representation. Enough of the British army running roughshod over people. Enough of the government ignoring the people it is intended to serve.
It gave a background to what we see today from a government out of control, without directly saying so. It also gave a deep sense of pride that so many stood up to do the difficult, the painful and too often, the mortal work to gain freedeom. Freedom that today we see being chipped away, one little chunk at a time.
Proud to be an Oathkeeper.
You said very well, what the itch was about and how to scratch it and be better for it. Thanks.
I linked to it on Facebook, but I am sure Appleseed forum would love you have your post linked in the section about Appleseed from other sources.
You articulated the underlying message of The Appleseeds Project quite well.
Nice work, sir
Kris said it, the real lesson of Appleseed is that a free people is an involved people, and we have to reawaken the spirit of liberty so that people get off the couch, work as a team and get involved. Whether that is a national issue, writing a letter to the governor, visiting your local representative's office or going to a school board meeting.
The rifle is a tool "to develop that muscle, much like Colonel Cooper said that the rifle was a tool to develop good men, since self control was the essence of a good man, and self control was also the essence of good marksmanship. Scientists who have studied the matter say that even the willpower of reminding oneself to stand up straight during the day spills over to other tasks that require willpower, hence the idea that willpower and self control and even a spirit of liberty are muscles that reqire exercise to be preserved.
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