Show Notes
Episode 204. Project Appleseed: Rediscovering Our Heritage
In this final edition from the NRA Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas, host Alex Ooley sits down with Tom Kehoe, Chairman of the Board for Project Appleseed. They discuss how Project Appleseed bridges the gap between traditional marksmanship and American civic history, focusing on the events of April 19, 1775. Tom shares the organization’s history—from its origins with “Fred’s Rifle Stocks” to its current status as a national non-profit that has trained over 200,000 people.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the NRA Meeting and Guest
00:16 Project Appleseed’s Presence at the NRA Show
01:28 Background and Mission of Project Appleseed
02:35 Historical Significance of April 19, 1775
04:05 Heritage, Heritage, Heritage: The American Revolution
05:23 Shared Heritage and American Unity
06:01 Civic Education and Community Involvement
07:03 Origins of Project Appleseed and Its Evolution
09:36 Marksmanship Programs and Instructor Training
12:02 Expanding to Pistol and Youth Programs
14:38 Inclusive Community and Volunteer Efforts
15:59 How to Find and Participate in Appleseed Events
17:27 What to Expect at an Appleseed Shoot
20:30 The Structure of a Typical Appleseed Event
22:03 Event Duration, Cost, and Equipment Needs
24:02 Youth and Accessibility in Appleseed Programs
25:30 The Importance of Heritage and Responsibility
29:36 The Shot Heard Around the World and Its Legacy
30:54 Reviving the Spirit of Liberty and Heritage
31:04 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
Resources
Official Website: Appleseedinfo.org
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/projectappleseed
https://www.instagram.com/project_appleseed/
https://www.youtube.com/@AppleseedNation
Book Recommendation: Paul Revere’s Ride by David Hackett Fischer
https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Reveres-David-Hackett-Fischer/dp/0195098315
Sponsor: Beretta Holding (https://berettaholding.com/)
Key Discussion Points
- The Mission: Project Appleseed is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to returning the U.S. to a “nation of riflemen” and ensuring the history of the American Revolution is passed down through hearts and minds.
- The “Three Strikes” of History: Tom recounts the pivotal moments of Lexington and Concord, explaining why April 19th was a “death sentence” for the colonists who chose to stand against the British regulars.
- Marksmanship Training:
- 25-Meter Program: Using scaled targets to simulate shooting at 100, 200, 300, and 400 yards.
- The AQT: The “Appleseed Qualification Test,” a timed program of fire from standing, sitting/kneeling, and prone positions.
- New Pistol Program: Developed to reach a wider audience in areas where long-distance ranges are unavailable.
- The “Red Hat” Standard: Becoming an instructor requires approximately 160 hours of hands-on training and achieving an “Expert” score on the qualification test.
- A Family Affair: The program has evolved from a “hairy-legged men’s” club to a family-friendly environment where moms in yoga pants and kids as young as seven or eight learn side-by-side.
Keywords
Project Appleseed, American heritage, marksmanship, civic education, NRA, history, firearms training, NRAAM, Forge of Freedom
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