Large Crowds Gather Despite Cold Weather at 2013 Eastern Games

CAMP BUTNER, NC — The Eastern Games held at Camp Butner in Butner, NC, May 3-7, 2013 grew once again this year, with a total of 428 participants — over 80 more than last year's Games. Shooters traveled from all around to compete in the many matches and clinics conducted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), including the Garand-Springfield-Vintage/Modern Military (GSMM) Match, Rimfire Sporter, Carbine Match and Vintage Sniper Match. CMP also added a Small Arms Firing School to the schedule, as well as new Pistol Matches.

Standing room only attendance was achieved during the Small Arms Firing School at Eastern Games. Over 80 students sat through class discussion and fired in a live EIC match.

The weekly forecast going in to the week promised sunshine and plenty of warmth, but a twist in Mother Nature's plan delivered chilly gusts of wind and cold drops of rain throughout the event. Many didn't anticipate the unexpected climate shift, causing some Games-goers to do some quick sweatshirt shopping.

"We were expecting warm weather, so I didn't bring anything to prepare for this," said Robert Hudson of Halifax, VA. "I went to the store around here to buy a sweatshirt, but because it's spring, they didn't have any. I had to go to a safety store."

Hudson could be seen for miles in his bright orange safety hoodie — the only warm layer he had available the entire week. He was there supporting his son and daughter, Robert, 17, and Jessica, 14, as they participated in many events during the Games. The two siblings even shot in the Vintage Sniper Match together, with their Swedish Mauser.

Robert Hudson (standing) watched his son and daughter (shown here in prone position) during the Eastern Games. Unfortunately, he came unprepared for the unexpected weather.

"We had a lot of fun," said Jessica. "And we shot a lot better than I thought we would!"

The Vintage Sniper Match combines the strengths of two shooters who team up to fire against other two-person teams at distances of 300 and 600 yards — firing 10 shots at each distance. Targets are exposed simultaneously on each firing point at 20-second intervals, when the non-shooting spotter coaches the shooter on shot conditions. Each partner has an opportunity to be a shooter and a spotter.

Two-person teams work together to achieve the highest score possible in the Vintage Sniper Match.

The Individual winner of the Vintage Sniper Match was Richard Thornley, 51, of Gaithersburg, MD, who came in first place with an aggregate score of 199-7. Thornley shot with his 1903 Springfield rifle. Coming in second was Douglas Armstrong, 53, of Lexington, NC, shooting a score of 198-7, followed by Kenneth Clowdis, 66, of Randleman, NC, in third with 196-8.

The sun came out long enough during the Vintage Sniper Match to cause shooters to break a sweat before it hid behind more rain clouds.

Clowdis and Armstrong teamed up under the name Dos Hombres to secure second place in the Sniper team competition. The two shot a combined score of 394-15. Team Iron Sight, consisting of Mike Sexton, 54, of Tulsa, OK, and Walker Rowell, 67, of Bixby, OK, took the third place spot with a score of 385-12.

Thornley's two-man team, Hard Leg #2, captured first in the Sniper team competition after he and teammate Cpl. Aaron Howell, 26, of Damascus, MD, fired a combined score of 396-13.

Cpl. Aaron Howell (left) earned a standing ovation as he and teammate Richard Thornley (right) accepted their first place awards for the Vintage Sniper Match.

Cpl. Howell not only gathered the crowd's attention by helping lead his team to a first place finish but also by shooting as a USMC amputee, having lost both of his legs and part of his left hand in combat. Those in attendance at the awards ceremony stood and clapped for the young man as he received his team's plaque, to honor the sacrifices he has endured for freedom.

This year, Eastern Games featured a Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) Match, usually only fired at the National Matches at Camp Perry. The school was met with overwhelming success as 83 veteran and beginning shooters participated. The classroom portion, which teaches basic positioning and safety procedures, was overflowing with SAFS students — causing standing-room-only conditions.

Men and women of all ages received directions from CMP instructors during the Small Arms Firing School.

Once the class teachings were over, those not already standing outside met the cold air to participate in a real SAFS M16 match. Vincent Tsai, 30, of Chapel Hill, NC, won first place in the match, firing an aggregate score of 379-8. James Wineman, 64, of North Fort Myers, FL, took the second place position with his score of 373-7, followed by Steven Allen, 49, of Latta, SC, with 371-6 for third place.

In the Rimfire Sporter competition, Ron Villanueva of Parma Heights, OH, shot an impressive near-perfect score to top the overall T-Class, firing a 599. Johnny Fisher, 38, of North Hollywood, CA, secured second after shooting a score of 595-36, followed extremely closely by William Flagg Jr., 53, of Ashland, VA, with a 595-35 for third.

Rimfire Sporter is distributed into three classes: T-Class (telescopic and aperture sights), O-Class (open sights) and Tactical Class.

Phillip Randall, 65, of Battle Creek, MI, led the O-Class with a score of 583-19, followed by junior shooter Cameron Covington, 15, of Alton, VA, and Paul Wire III, 49, of Rockville, MD, who both fired a 583-16.

Only three shooters participated in the Tactical Class at this year's Rimfire. Judson Flagg, 40, of Ashland, VA, led the division, firing a 593-36. William Ellis, 48, of Slough, England, took second with a 577-14, followed by Frank Chandler, 74, of Milton, WV with a score of 451.

Ryan Ward, 16, of Greenville, NC, received the High Junior award after firing an extremely respectable score of 594-29 in the T-Class. The win came as somewhat of a pleasant surprise to Ward, considering this was his first trip to the Eastern Games.

Ryan Ward (right) of Greenville, NC shot an impressive 594-29 in theT-Class during the Rimfire Match to earn him the High Junior spot. His father, David (left), was there to cheer his son on.

"I didn't know what to expect coming in, but once I realized I'm really only competing against myself, I wasn't as nervous," he said. "I'm definitely coming back next year."

Michael Curran, 61, of Kensington, MD, achieved the High Senior score, shooting a 588-24 in the T-Class.

Douglas Armstrong nearly swept the GSMM Match, leading in the John C. Garand, Springfield, Vintage Military and Three Gun Aggregate competitions.

Liam Hewett, 14, of Wake Forest, NC competed in the GSMM for the first time at the Eastern Games. His father, Andy, was there to coach him.

Armstrong shot a 292-6 in the Garand Match for first, followed by Sean Leighton, 50, of Carlisle, PA, with 289-1 for second and junior Gabe Rampy, 15, of Bremen, GA, who fired a 284-8 for third.

Rampy also received the Garand High Junior award for his performance. Leonard Lapato, 66, of Greensburg, PA, took the High Senior position, firing a 281-5 in the competition.

Cold weather and rain put a damper on the GSMM Match, but it wasn't enough to break the spirits of the competitors.

In the Springfield Match, Armstrong led once again with an aggregate score of 291-13. Trailing closely in second place was Richard Bodine, 54, of Frederick, MD, with a score of 290-9, who beat out third place holder David Thompson in X-count. Thompson, 51, of Keyser, WV, fired a 290-3 in the match.

Female junior shooter Victoria Allgeier, 17, of Cape Charles, VA, shocked the boys when she fired the High Junior score with 276-5. Jan Hill, 65, of Lakewood, OH, achieved the High Senior score with his score of 284-6.

Victoria Allgeier of Cape Charles, VA fired the High Junior score in the Springfield Match with a 276-5.

Once again, Armstrong proved victorious as he topped the Vintage Military Match with his U.S. Model 1917, firing a 291-5. Phillip Randall secured second place with 285-5, while Robert Pestridge, 50, of Marathon, NY, took third with his combined score of 281-7.

The High Junior position belonged to Robert Hudson II as he shot a combined score of 273-3. High Senior for the Vintage Military Match was Phillip Randall, with his second place score.

Douglas Armstrong of Lexington, NC led the Vintage Military competition among other GSMM matches during the Games. Dick Whiting, chief range officer, presented the awards.

William Ellis, who traveled from England just to compete in the Games, led the Modern Military Rifle Match, firing a 289-6. Having left the sunny and warm weather of England to endure the bitter cold of North Carolina, Ellis no longer questioned his decision to make the trek after his win.

"This [award] makes it all worth it," he said with a smile. "I'm glad I made the trip."

Following Ellis in second was Jack Kelley Jr., 50, of Linden, NC, who shot a combined score of 285-8, just edging third place holder Samuel Hartsock, 54, of Mansfield, OH, who fired a 285-6.

James Robinson II, 14, of Manassas, VA, shot the High Junior score in the Modern Military Match with a 270-2. Ira Jones Jr., 68, of Hubert, NC, secured the High Senior spot, firing a 282-4.

Maggie (the dog) became a spectacle among shooters and spectators as she proudly showed off her Marine Corp outfit during the Games. Her owner is Don Heuman, who ran the pits during the competition.

Douglas Armstrong led the Three Gun Aggregate competition, firing an 874-24, while Sean Leighton topped the Four Fun Aggregate competition with his combined score of 1128-16.

The M1 Carbine Match was unfortunately cancelled during the Games, due to a thunderstorm that passed through the range on the day of the match. Rain and lightning conditions made the area unsafe for competition.

For a full list of results, visit http://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=match&task=edit&match=9644. To view, download or order photo prints of the Games, log onto http://cmp1.zenfolio.com.

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