A Smashing Good Time
Source: The Virginia Sportsman
At precisely 0845 hours on May 1, 2010, the Army engaged with an accurate volley and was answered to by a precision bombardment from the Navy. The Air Force, not to be outdone, demonstrated its skill with a meticulous sortie. When the dust had settled, a very good time was had and money was raised for a very great cause.
No, this wasn’t a re-enactment group out to please spectators with living history. This was the annual Virginia Wounded Warrior Shoot Out at The Glorious Twelfth Sporting Clay School in Lexington, Virginia.
As owners of The Glorious Twelfth, my wife Becky and I were in the middle of this fracas. Being a former Royal Marine commando, I directed the fire plan on the range while Becky and friends kept the troops fed and watered with outstanding bear barbecue and good English pork pies. Donations from local businesses
made for an interesting silent auction.
This was the third year for the annual event, previous winners being the Air Force and the Navy. The rules are simple: Participants may sign up to shoot for Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force; the contestants may have actual service or some other connection. Only the top three scores from each team count towards the final tally.
It was an outstanding day with 39 shooters turning out to shoot two rounds of 25 sporting clays. Mixed in with the orange clays were special green clays. Hitting a green target made the shooter an instant winner. Prizes were donated by two key sponsors, Will Leamen of Back Country Driving School (www.4x4bcds.com) and Mike Blum of Antares Defense (www.antaresdefense.com). After the first round, the Army was in the lead, and from the volume of the banter, they were digging in and not going to allow anyone to overtake them. However they must have had too much bear barbecue, as the Marines managed to pull it together on the second round and take the winning title.
The day was perfect with fine weather, great food and generous attendees who helped raise over $4,000 for the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program. Beautifully restored old military vehicles brought in by Rusty Sours and his team added interest to the event and provided talking points and old war stories for the veterans and spectators who came to show their support and enjoy the military rivalry.
The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) was established by the 2008 General Assembly. It is operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in cooperation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services. It ensures that veterans who are experiencing stress-related injuries through combat receive timely assessment, treatment and support. Executive director Catherine A. Wilson, Nurse Corps, USN (ret.) attended the event.
For more information contact:
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
Department of Veterans Services
1601 Broad Rock Boulevard
Richmond, Virginia 23224
(804) 371-4675
www.dvs.virginia.gov/woundedwarrior/
Anyone interested in supporting or participating in the Armed Service Shoot for 2011 is welcome to contact us at The Glorious Twelfth, (540) 348- 6214 or theglorious12th@embarqmail.com. Andy Tubb is a qualified shotgun coach with the British Shooting and Conservation Association, and a member of the Institute of Clay Shooting Instructors. Andy and his wife Becky moved to Virginia in 2004 and established The Glorious Twelfth, a sporting clay shooting school and horse training facility near Lexington.