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Reader Comments:
Thank you for your wonderful Newsletter! As the parent of 2 Junior Shooters (they shoot high power, .22, air rifle, archery... essentially anything that will send a projectile through the air!) I really appreciate the coverage that you provide.
You are so organized and provide information to keep the news, support programs and resources at my fingertips.
Thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Oh, please pass along my sincere appreciation to the wonderful group of Marines that hosted and taught the Marine Corps Junior High Power Clinic and also to the wonderful and dedicated Army Marksmen that hosted and taught the Small Arms Firing School. I had children in each and they both had a fabulous time! They looked forward to attending each day and the interaction and coaching exceeded our high expectations! They went above and beyond. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Tami R.
Please keep up the good work. Thanks you for you information on CMP. I love to visit the Camp Perry store when possible so this news letter seems to keep me in touch with you all. Thanks again Paul Miller
Paul M.
Thank you... it was an awesome week and experience at Camp Perry
for both my son and me. We loved it and loved the CMP staff who were friendly
and very helpful. :-)
Steve
I wanted to let you know that your news letter is outstanding. A lot of really
good info that I pass on to many people. Thank you.
David F.
Thanks for the work you
do. We enjoy the CMP Newsletter and updates. Sincerely, W. Chessman
I enjoy reading the email and look forward to it every week.
Thanks,
Eric C.
Having been a member of the Junior NRA during the late '50's where I
achieved the rating of Sharpshooter 6th Bar, I am honestly able to state that I
was pleasantly surprised and very pleased to see that you're still actively
pursuing today's youth to continue the interest of sport shooting (which I still
love). Thank you and warm regards.
Ted K., SCPO, USN Retired
Thank you for a great news letter.
J. B.
I shot high expert in the Marine Corps in the 60's with the venerable Garand and hope someday to own one again. I like reading TFS and their informative articles. Thanks for the excellent site.
Sincerely, Fred C.
I attended the Houston Gun Collectors January Show, and truthfully, the CMP display was the high point of the show for me. I'm still trying to decide about buying a Greek Collector Grade M-1 rifle (I have too many Garands already), but when all is said and done, I think the decision to take the CMP to such major gun shows is a real winner.
Larry S.
The First Shot is a well put together, informative on-line magazine. Kudos'
to the staff for the idea and content.
Col. Lance, USA-Ret.
PS Great revitalization and up grade of the old DCM.
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History Comes Alive at the 2005 National Matches
By Sommer Wood, Staff Writer/Editor
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| John Hughes in a U.S. Military Mock Enemy Training Uniform from the 1948-1960 era. |
Each year at the Springfield and John C. Garand Matches the prestigious military histories of these rifles are bought to life as some of the competitors in attendance dress in period uniforms. This adds a colorful and rich
flair to the National Matches that is unique to the Springfield and the Garand. So who are these walking history lessons?
Fredrick Chapman, Jonathan Liebrandt, and John Hughes from the Southern Michigan Gun Club all participate in history reenactments in addition to dressing in period uniforms for the Matches.
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| Frederick Chapman and Jonathan Liebrandt pose in their uniforms during the Springfield Match. |
Their gun club also hosts a Garand match each January called “The Snow Shoot” in which competitors shoot in period uniforms from WW I to the Korean War. “Shooting in the uniforms gives you a feel for what it was like for the soldiers. I think about them as my helmet rings when I shoot,” said Fredrick Chapman who wore a WW I Army uniform in the Springfield Match.
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| James Radel dressed in 101st Airborne Easy Company 506 Paratrooper Uniform. He personally received his WWII jumpwings from Major Dick Winters of Easy Company. |
James Radel from Sunbury, Pennsylvania also participates in reenactments including one of the largest WWII Air Shows on the east coast that is held on the first weekend of June each year in Redding, Pennsylvania. He reenacts the 101st Airborne 506 Easy Company that the mini-series “Band of Brothers” covers. His interest in WWII stems from his Grandfather who was in the service at the time. Radel began collecting rifles over 20 years ago which lead to vehicles, then finally uniforms. “I enjoy interacting with the people each year at the Matches. I have made it out every year since the first Garand Match and have brought more shooters with me each time,” said Radel who’s 101st Airborne uniform included a WWII jump wings pin that he received personally from Major Dick Winters of the 506 Easy Company.
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| Michael Baker dressed in a 3rd divison Army Uniform from the Spanish American War. |
Not everyone who dresses in period uniforms for the matches participates in reenactments. This is the case for Michael Baker from Windham, Ohio who has attended seven of the eight Garand matches. “I do this out of respect for the men who wore these uniforms. This is a unique opportunity to mix my love for shooting with my love for history,” said Baker who dressed in a 3rd Division Spanish American War Army Uniform for the Springfield Match.
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| Robert Gray in early 1940 Navy Uniform (right) and Warren Cook in a Korean War Era
Army
Uniform (left). |
Other uniforms represented included Robert Gray’s early 1940’s U.S. Navy uniform that he wore for the Garand Match. He traveled from Vermilion, Ohio to attend the Matches for his second year. Representing the Korean War Era was Ohio Military Reservist Warren Cook from South Euclid, Ohio. Cook is a member of the 521 MP Company 52nd Battalion of the Ohio Military Reserve that is comprised entirely of volunteers. He also participates in living history displays for the Korean War Era.
This just a glance of the colorful people the National Matches bring together each year. Their appreciation for shooting and history have come together to enhance the experience of the Springfield and John C. Garand Matches for everyone. For more pictures go to http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/05/Index.htm or results from the Springfield or John C. Garand Matches go to http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=827.
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