CMP and National Match Centennial Celebration In 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt proposed an organization to better prepare American citizens for the possibility of war through marksmanship training and competition, he may not have envisioned the Civilian Marksmanship Program or the National Matches as they exist today…but we're sure he would have been "Dee-lighted!" with them both. The 100th anniversary of the founding of both the CMP and the National Matches was celebrated at this year's National Matches. The Centennial Year of the CMP and the National Matches culminated on August 9 during the biggest day of the Matches. Nearly 2000 shooters were on hand to compete in the John C. Garand and Infantry Trophy Team Matches. The ranges at Camp Perry were alive with the intense competition of the "Rattle Battle" match and the history and relaxed camaraderie of the Garand Match. From shooters in original World War II uniforms to the highly skilled military and civilian marksmen and markswomen stepping up to the firing lines with their M-1 Garands and M-16/AR-15 competition rifles, proof that Roosevelt's idea and vision were successful was evident everywhere. The Celebration at the end of the day's firing included a United States Army Golden Knights Parachute exhibition, a grilled chicken barbecue for competitors and volunteers, the final awards ceremony of the National Trophy Rifle Matches, an emotional unveiling of a new National Trophy and an especially moving tribute and twenty-one gun salute for the fallen heroes of Camp Perry and the National Matches. The Centennial Celebration was staged as a way for those in attendance to remember the previous 100 years of competition and marksmanship in the National Matches. There are few who will forget the sight of a lone jumper, freefalling to within what seemed to be mere hundreds of feet of the ground before opening her parachute and unveiling an American Flag. Her fellow Golden Knights soon followed, displaying their world-renowned skill to the delight of the crowd below. There were moments of silence and stillness as a special tribute was read in honor of the Camp Perry competitors who sacrificed their lives for the United States. And surely there was not one person there who did not feel genuine emotion as seven United States Army Marksmanship Unit riflemen fired a 21-gun salute in honor of these great Americans. During the celebration, there were more awards and accolades to hand out. A new addition to the National Trophy Collection, the Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock II Trophy, was unveiled and awarded and new champions were applauded. The celebration continued on into the night, as shooters and guests lingered to bask in the glow of the National Trophies and their new winners and to swap stories and reminisce about past years of glory at Camp Perry. The formal part of the Centennial Celebration closed with a tribute (see box below) to 100 years of CMP and National Matches history. Yes, Roosevelt would be "Dee-lighted!" A Tribute to the CMP and National Matches Throughout human history, marksmanship has been a means of survival and common defense--skilled marksmanship was admired and celebrated--the quest to become a skilled marksman became a passion, a way of life and a means of human growth and fulfillment. 100 years ago, in 1903, the history of marksmanship in America took a dramatic step forward. The vision for this historic change came from many, including the Secretary of War, Elihu Root; the NRA President, General Bird Spencer; several Senators and Congressmen, and President Theodore Roosevelt. They envisioned an America that would be stronger and safer and better--if more could be done to teach American soldiers and citizens to shoot skillfully. Their vision created the National Matches and the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Now a century of marksmanship excellence has grown from this vision. The National Matches became a great American tradition, attracting thousands, promoting training and celebrating excellence. In its first century, the Civilian Marksmanship Program reached legions of youth and adults with opportunities to learn and know the benefits of being safe, skilled marksmen. This evening we proudly stand in the shadow of our past 100 years. The vision of the new CMP is that "every youth in America has the opportunity to learn gun safety and marksmanship." Tonight we celebrate what our founders dreamed of in 1903; we celebrate all that marksmanship leaders and participants have built in 100 years and we celebrate the exciting challenge of striving to realize our new vision in the next century. The National Matches and the Civilian Marksmanship Program have become great American institutions truly worthy of celebration.

The first U. S. Army Golden Knights parachute-jumper out of the plane unfurled a U. S. flag and landed as the Star Spangled Banner was sung. Two Golden Knights soldiers in a precision jumping maneuver Golden Knights jumpers used colored smoke to highlight their graceful movements through the Camp Perry sky. The 338th National Guard Jazz Combo entertained attendees at the 2003 National Matches Centennial barbecue. A barbecue chicken dinner was served to over 1800 competitors and National Matches volunteers. Special Centennial cakes were served during the Centennial Celebration on August 9, 2003. A feature of the Centennial Celebration was the presentation of the new GySgt. Carlos Hathcock Trophy. Col G. C. Bourgeois, Commander, USMC Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, Virginia (l) and GySgt. Carlos Hathcock III (r) officially unveiled the new trophy. A firing detail from the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit stands silhouetted on the Camp Perry skyline as they fire an emotional 21-gun salute to fallen heroes of the National Matches and Camp Perry. Todd Dissinger, a CMP employee and armorer at CMP South in Anniston, Alabama, sang the National Anthem and rendered the Centennial Tribute at the end of the program.