CRPA Jan-Feb 2016

STRENGTH IN MEMBERS
in winning that 50 meter rifle tryouts. Years later I
gave a Shuttle astronaut my 1980 Olympic stick
pin with this written on the back of card, “Many
thanks for your dedication and efforts in the Space
Program! You are just like a farmer... ‘outstanding
in your field’. David Kimes, 1980 Olympic Team”.
Long story short, he took the pin into orbit and returned
to present it to me framed with photos of the
launch and landing.
Fast forward to 2011 – we are fundraising to buy
electronic targets for LAR&RC just like are used at
the Olympics. The CRPA Foundation helped us and
we purchased those units. Later, the USA Shooting
coach for Paralympic shooting contacted me about
the Navy Safe Harbor group needing a shooting
coach for coaching and attending the Warrior Games
(WG). Those games include swimming, cycling,
track and field, archery and shooting. Athletes include
wounded warriors and others who have physical
and mental challenges. I agreed and found that
in all previous training and tryouts for shooting they
were pinning targets onto hay bales and spotting targets
with binoculars. This is all 10 meter precision
air gun shooting. Long story short, we used those
e-targets to training and tryouts for the Navy Team.
Head coach at LAR&RC, Bob McMullin, and I then
worked with the team – using the e-targets and incorporating
Lanny Bassham’s Mental Management
to the coaching mix. With only a bronze in standing
shooting for the Navy before this, our first year they
won 2 gold medals. The next year 3 gold + 1 silver,
and this year at the Warrior Games - 2 gold, 1 silver,
and 2 bronze. More importantly, we had no idea on
how much we were positively affecting the lives of
these Navy wounded warriors. One thank you note
we received the day before this year’s WG saying that
we and the team had saved her life.
It has been a hugely rewarding ride – this competitive
shooting and coaching experience. Hard
work, good ethics, memorable life experiences, and
the satisfaction of being able to pass along successful
techniques that took me many years to learn.
I have never regretted joining the CRPA. I am a
long-time life member.
Even with the President Carter forced boycott of
the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, I did not get involved
much in paying attention to politics. But with the current
president and California Legislature working to
take away our guns, and reading of the many instances
in history where countries confiscated its citizens’
guns and then killed millions – I really started taking
note. I urge you to pay attention and be active – please
get on the CRPA email list, and always remember my
“favorite” bumper sticker:
“WITHOUT GUNS, YOUR FREEDOM IS SHOT”
28
JAN. / FEB.