traditions 2011: qtr.2

Mission StatementEstablished in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearms-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological, and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States, including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters, and competitive shooters.

Traditions StaffEditor: Amber Niblock ShorterEditor & Design: Jeremy GreeneTraditions is published quarterly by The NRA Foundation, Inc., for the benefit of its donors and other interested parties

11250 Waples Mill Road . Fairfax, VA 22030 . (800) 423-6894 . www.nrafoundation.org

About the Cover:A Kentucky flintlock rifle donated by Charles Dean is on display during

the live auction at the 2011 NRA Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh, PA(Photo by Alex Sutherland)

Guest Editorial Kyle Weaver: Managing Director, NRA Field Operations Division 3

Cover Story NRA Foundation Annual Meeting Events 4

National News TV Show Update 8

Boyt Friends of NRA Volunteers of the Year 10

X-Ring Bulletin Newsletter 13

NRA Foundation Awards Over $20,000 in College Scholarships 14

Friends Update Eastern Region 16

Central Region 18

Southern Region 20

Mid West Region 22

Western Region 25

Industry Corner Argo ATV 26

Program Profile NRA National Defense Matches 28

NRA Foundation Donors 30

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Mr. Frank R. Brownell, IIIPresident

The Honorable Bill K. BrewsterVice President

The Honorable Joe M. AllbaughTrustee

Mr. Allan D. CorsTrustee

Ms. Sandra S. FromanTrustee

Mr. Steve HornadyTrustee

Mr. Eric JohansonTrustee

Mr. David A. KeeneExOfficio

General P.X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.)Trustee

Mr. George K. Kollitides IITrustee

Mr. Wayne R. LaPierreEx-Officio

Mr. Owen P. MillsTrustee

Mr. James W. Porter IITrustee

Mr. Dennis J. ReeseTrustee

Captain John C. SiglerTrustee

Mr. H. Wayne SheetsExecutive Director

Mr. Wilson H. Phillips, Jr.Treasurer

Mrs. Sandy S. ElkinSecretary

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3TRADITIONS . QUARTER 2: 2011

As Friends of NRA closes in on its 20th Anniversary, it has met many milestones in its relatively short time span. I

have personally had the pleasure of being a part of the program for all but two years of its existence and can say whole-heartedly that the one aspect I am in most awe of is our volunteers.

Though all programs go through phases, the one constant has always been the hard work and dedi-cation of our volunteers. For most of us involved, Friends of NRA is not a hobby or way to pass the time or even for our staff, just a paycheck. Friends of NRA is a way of life, a passion, and at our core, a part of who we are and what we have become. Every day, somewhere a volunteer is selling a ticket, obtaining a donation, or more importantly, watching our grant dollars at work.

I believe numbers tell a story and our numbers tell a great one.

Friends of NRA started in 1993 with 183 first-time committees that raised $3.2 million and netted $866K for grant purposes— for the entire year. During the month of March 2011 alone, Friends of NRA held 140 events, raised $7.1 million, and netted $3.2 million for grant purposes. This year holds the chance to surpass $20 million net for the first time in a single year.

In the spring, Friends of NRA surpassed $400 mil-

lion gross raised since inception. It is an extraor-dinary milestone for the program, but the figures are even more remarkable when you consider that it was accomplished by our volunteers and field staff one event at a time. To date, Friends of NRA has given over $170 million in grants, held 13,500 events, surpassed 2.5 million attendees, seen support from 25,000 volunteers, and we are still growing.

There have been many changes and improvements since 1993, but the core of the program remains the same. Our field staff work with volunteers at a local level, we ensure quality and professionalism at our events, and 50 percent of the net monies raised benefit qualifying programs at the local level. Most notably, the very volunteers who raise the money are involved in deciding on how it is granted.

In the spring of 2012, Columbia, Mo. will hold the 20th Anniversary of the first-ever Friends of NRA banquet. Many of those individuals involved at the dawn of Friends of NRA are still involved today, and I know Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA will be in attendance. To this day, they stay involved and concerned with the future of our program and as dedicated as they were the first night. As we reflect back on the first two decades, it is hard not to look forward to the next 20 years. What will be our challenges? Who will be the next leaders of your local event or state? As a team, Friends of NRA has accomplished great things since 1993, but there will be a greater need for our support and grant dollars in the future. With the same hard work, passion, and leaders, who knows what the next twenty years will bring?

By Kyle WeaverManaging Director, NRA Field Operations Division

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4 TRADITIONS . QUARTER 2: 2011

NRA FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING EVENTS

very year thousands of NRA members flock to the NRA Annual Meetings. Some go for miles of guns on the exhibit hall floor, others for the opportunity to make their vote count at the Annual Meeting of Members, still others to hear the plethora of outstanding speakers. What so many of these people have in common is their passion for the future of the shooting sports.

The National NRA Foundation Events at NRA Annual Meetings offer attendees the opportunity to put their money where their pas-sion is to raise countless dollars that go directly to The NRA Foun-dation. Sponsored by Cabela’s and Leupold, the annual National NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction kicked off the fundraising weekend right with everyone walking away a winner— Friends of NRA-style. The brand-new, fast-paced “Steel for a Steal” Wall of Guns Raffle pushed the excitement and proceeds over the top for The NRA Foundation.

Building a Bridge to the Future of the Shooting Sports

EBy Sarah youngEvent Services Coordinator, NRA Field Operations Division


Driving the streets of Pittsburgh, it is easy to see why the city gained the nickname the “City of Bridges.” As a visitor, there are so many yellow-toned bridges connecting the city streets that you may even think the city is built upon them. On Thursday, April 28, early bird attendees of the Nation-al NRA Foundation Banquet & Auction were congregating just outside the Spirit of Pittsburgh ballroom for a pre-event social hour with advanced chances to win firearms. When the clock struck five, an eager 1,300 ticket holders were wel-comed into the ballroom through an entryway designed to look like one of the many famous yellow bridges that pepper the city. The much-anticipated event sold out two weeks before opening day, resulting in a filled room and some tight com-petition for auction items. The live and silent auctions topped 175 items, including exclusive firearms, brand new gear, and several outstanding hunts in the U.S. and abroad. Interest was high for many of the items, but the top bid on the live auction ended up at $5K for a fully-engraved Special Edition Smith & Wesson Model 29 Revolver commemorat-ing Cabela’s 50th Anniversary. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a favorite of Friends of NRA events: the bucket raffle. Each bucket raffle participant had chances for firearms, gear, home décor, camp-ing equipment, and much, much more. One lucky winner walked away with an extra-large prize, an Argo 8x8 ATV 750HDi, donated by ARGO ATV through the 2011 Friends of NRA National Corporate Sponsorship Program. Throughout the evening, 13 games offered attendees a chance at firearms for just $10-$20 a chance. Odds on these games were great, around 1 in 200, with every player getting a take-away game piece like an NRA flashlight or a Gadsden “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. New for 2011, Cabela’s provided The NRA Foundation with special ammo boxes filled with take-away items that were sold before the banquet began. With chances to win seven different firearms, it is no wonder the boxes sold out within minutes of the doors opening. Leupold returned this year as the faithful sponsor of The National NRA Foundation Events. Prior to the festivities, Leupold donated a silver FX-II handgun scope mounted on a Freedom Arms Model 2008 Single Shot Revolver as well as a silver VX-3 riflescope mounted on a Mag-Na-Port cus-tomized Ruger 77 Hawkeye. The live auction featured both items, and onstage that evening, Andy York, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Technology at Leupold, surprised NRA staff and the crowd with an announcement that Leupold would supply scopes for any un-scoped rifle in the live auc-tion. Ultimately this resulted in an additional nine scopes donated by Leupold, all of which were in the desirable VX-7 model that consequently added to the value of every firearm at auction. Cabela’s joined on as a new sponsor for the 2011 National NRA Foundation Events, and has already exceeded expecta-tions. Above and beyond Cabela’s sponsorship, it generously

CABELA’S & SMITH & WESSON50th Anniversary Model 29 Revolver

FRIENDS OF NRA1911 Colt .45ACP NRA Centennial Edition

D&W LIVESTOCK , E.R. SHAW, TRIJICON, SITKA GEAR3-Day Wyoming Prong Horn Hunting Package

E.R. Shaw Precision Mark VIIAccupoint TR20-2 Riflescope

Optifade Open Country Gear Package

BLASER R8 Luxus

TACTICAL RESPONSE & STURM RUGER5 Day, All-Inclusive Training CourseRuger SR-556/6.8 Autoloading Rifle

TRAVIS CHARBONNEAU OF TC CONCEPTS“The Godfather” 1927 “Tommy Gun” & violin case

COLT MANUFACTURING1911 Master Engraved Colt 100th Anniversary Edition

W.R. CASE & SONS2011 NRA Annual Meetings Custom Bowie Knife

live auction HIGHLIGHTS

By Sarah youngEvent Services Coordinator, NRA Field Operations Division


donated a robust live auction package with three guns, abundant accessories, and a commemorative Smith & Wes-son Model 29 gifted to them by James Debny of Smith & Wesson.

100TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION MASTER ENGRAVED COLT 1911

The NRA Foundation collaborated this year with GunBro-ker.com on a unique online auction for a 100th Anniver-sary Edition Master-Engraved Colt 1911, donated by Colt Manufacturing. The auction went live on the GunBroker.com website March 24, and continued through the evening of The National NRA Foundation Banquet & Auction. Banquet attendees were able to see the exquisite, one-of-a-kind firearm on location, where attendees could then place a

bid at either of the two computer stations with GunBroker.com personnel standing by to assist. After five weeks online, 100,000 pageviews, and 55 total bids, the auction closed down at nine o’clock that night. The firearm was purchased at the event for over $45K by an NRA Benefactor who has graciously loaned it to the National Firearms Museum, located at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va., for display at a special “1911 to 2011” exhibit honoring the Model 1911’s 100 years of production and service.

“STEEL FOR A STEAL” WALL OF GUNS RAFFLE

This year, The National NRA Foundation unveiled a new event to the delight of thousands of NRA Annual Meetings attendees. Named in honor of Pittsburgh’s historical ties to the steel industry, the “Steel for a Steal” Wall of Guns Raffle opened to the public on Friday, April 29. The Cabela’s and Leupold-sponsored event featured a large wall constructed to divide in half a major thoroughfare in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Guns covered each side of the wall, totaling 77 firearms in all. While the sheer magnitude of the wall caught the attention of a many passersby, it was ultimately the incredible chances at winning that kept them sticking around for more. A $20 ticket got you one chance to win your choice of either one firearm from the blue side of the wall or two firearms from the red. Every time 100 tickets were sold, a winner was drawn, and a new raffle began, with all the old


tickets being set aside. Players could buy multiple tickets in one raffle to increase their odds for winning once, or they could spread out their money and play in the next several raffles for chances to win more than once. The crowd seemed to grow right before the winners were announced where NRA Western Regional Director, Brad Kruger, was fully-equipped with flashing “police lights,” air horn, and a megaphone that he used to announce that a win-

ner was about to be drawn and only a few tickets remained. Within minutes, sometimes seconds, the last few tickets sold and a winner was drawn. Almost every 45 minutes the sequence repeated and another lucky winner was pulled. Whether the winner was present or called on their cell phone, excitement was high as they picked the firearm or firearms of their choice. More than sixty people walked away winners, raising over $50K for the NRA Foundation. Thanks to the support of sponsors, volunteers, and staff, the event exceeded expectations. Even now, plans are in the works for the Wall of Guns to return in future years.

MEET US IN ST. LOUIS!

Even if you missed the opportunity to attend this outstand-ing weekend for 2011, do not lose hope! Join us in 2012 as

we meet in St. Louis, Mo. for another year of fun, fellowship, and fundraising. Every year, the crowds grow larger, so mark your calendars today for April 12-15. The National NRA Foundation Banquet will once again kick-off NRA Annual Meetings on Thursday, so make your trip a little early and join us for what is sure to be another sold out event!

For more information on events and accommoda-tions in St. Louis, log-on to the Annual Meetings website at www.nraam.org. Although ticket sales do not open until early 2012, hotel accommodations are limited. The NRA recommends that you take action in securing your spot soon. We hope you’ll meet us in St. Louis!

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Dear Friends,

Just a year ago Jessie and I met for the very first time at the NRA Annual Meetings in Charlotte, North Caro-lina, and here we are a year later. Time flies when you’re having fun! This year in Pittsburgh, we had so many opportunities that we never even imagined. The TV show is grow-ing in popularity, so we had the opportunity to hang out with fans while getting the necessary footage for next season’s Annual Meeting episode. It was a lot of fun getting to meet all these people who feel like they already know you. It’s pretty crazy to consider that in some ways, they do! On Wednesday, Jessie and I traveled with the crew to Seven Springs, Penn., where we had a chance to shoot sporting clays with NRA Advancement’s Heritage Society. As always, Jessie and I had to make it a com-petition, but you’ll have to watch next season to find out the results. Thursday we met up at the National NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction to help raise funds Friends of NRA-style for The NRA Foundation. Jessie and I had the opportunity to present the NRA Country Guitar we signed as part of another sporting clays tournament out in Las Vegas. With my face still red from the blooper reel they surprised us by playing on the big screen, we presented the guitar to kick off the live auction. To-gether with NRA Country, we were able to start it out right and raise money for The NRA Foundation. When we weren’t on the stage, we were down on the floor helping spot the bids for the live auction. Jessie was hollering, and I was jumping up and down. I mean, you have to do whatever it takes to make sure the auctioneer recognizes your bidder. Let me assure you, next year’s blooper reel is sure to include that footage. Friday and Saturday were a whirlwind. We helped kick off the exhibits at the ribbon cutting for the NRA booth, and then hurried off to a signing at the Friends of NRA Gear Shop up by the “Steel for a Steal” Wall of Guns Raffle. I’m not sure which the people were more excited about seeing, Jessie and I or the giant display of guns, but there was definitely a crowd. After we signed some autographs, we had the opportunity to actually get out in the crowd and sell some raffle tickets. Selling tickets is definitely one competition Jessie will always win at over me. Both years, she has been quite the fan favorite at Annual Meetings, so it’s no wonder her tickets went faster than mine. When she wasn’t with us filming she was off representing her sponsor, Leupold. Before I knew it, it was Sunday, and we were packing up to hit the road in the Friends of NRA truck for more adventures in season two. It is hard to believe another NRA Annual Meetings has already come and gone, but I definitely look forward to meeting everyone in St. Louis in 2012!

Matt Duff

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR


t $45 million a year, Friends of NRA is a fundraising machine for The NRA Foun-dation. But it’s not paid employees that make it all happen. The essential person-nel of Friends of NRA are its volunteers— the people who organize banquets and events solely because they want to see shooting sports prevail. Out of those volunteers that make Friends of NRA possible are those exceptional individuals who, through their leadership and influence, help the program flourish. These volunteers are nominated and selected for the Area and Region Volunteer of the Year Awards. Area Volunteers of the Year receive special recognition by their respective NRA Field Rep and an exclusive em-broidered “Volunteer of the Year” jacket. Of the area awardees across the nation, only one from each of the five regions is selected as the Friends of NRA Region Volunteer of the Year. Robin Dawson, Dennis Duke, Vann Haigler, Jeff Jensen, and Ronnie Smith were selected from the southern,

central, eastern, mid-west and western re-gions respectively. Each brings to Friends of NRA an astounding amount of energy, commitment, and dedication. They travel throughout their state to promote Friends of NRA and The NRA Founda-tion’s grant program. For 2010, Boyt Harness Company, the world’s premier manufacturer of high quality gun cases, hunting accessories and specialty hunting clothing, came on board as the official sponsor for the Volunteer of the Year Award. “Supporting Friends of NRA helps make sure that funds get to the national and local programs many of our custom-ers take advantage of and is just one more way we can let outdoor enthusiasts know we have their best interests in mind,” said John Cardarelli, National Accounts Manager at Boyt. Although Friends of NRA could never repay these loyal volunteers for the work they do on a daily basis for the program, an expense paid trip to the NRA Annual Meetings certainly helps. Not only were the Boyt Friends of NRA Region Volunteers of the Year recog-nized at the National NRA Foundation Banquet by Boyt CFO/VP of Finance, Curt Borcherding, but they also received tickets to the American Values Freedom Experience and spent the rest of the weekend walking the exhibit hall floor and participating in many of the other events the Annual Meetings offered. “[My wife] Dollie and I had a great time in Pittsburgh and we appreciate all that was done for us,” said Jeff Jensen, Mid-West Region Volunteer of the Year. “The facilities were fantastic and every-one treated us very nice. It was a fantastic experience and we both would like to thank all who were involved in this.”

Volunteer for an upcoming Friends of NRA banquet in your state! Visit www.friend-sofnra.org/volunteer for more information about how you can join the Friends of NRA family!

“THIS AWARD STANDS AS A TRIBUTE TO YOUR LEADER-SHIP, DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO THE PRESERVA-

TION OF THE SHOOTING SPORTS,” WAYNE LAPIERRE

ABy nicole McMahonSenior Event Services Coordinator, NRA Field Operations Division

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEARVANN HAIGLER

DENNIS DUKE

JEFF JENSEN

ROBIN DAWSON

RONNIE SMITH

11 YEARS OF SERVICEMONROE UNION COUNTY FRIENDS OF NRA

“Vann is a hard working volunteer who is always motivated to do better than the last event. He has

worked to make his event the highest in net dollars in the state and wants to grow each and every year.”

–Doug Merrill, Western North Carolina Field Representative

11 YEARS OF SERVICEBIG RIVERS FRIENDS OF NRA

“Dennis considers it his duty to recruit applicants for grants. Our area did not have any groups asking for grants before Den-

nis grabbed hold of the problem. Now we have several groups that receive grants for youth education in firearm safety.”

–Larry Summarell, Kentucky Field Representative

5 YEARS OF SERVICETEXAS PANHANDLE FRIENDS OF NRA

“Robin is fast becoming every field representative’s dream committee member. She has never shirked from taking on more opportunities to push forward the efforts and goals of the West

Texas Friends of NRA as well as The NRA Foundation.” –Jack Cannon, West Texas Field Representative

3 YEARS OF SERVICENORTHERN OAHE FRIENDS OF NRA

“Jeff is a great example of the all around volunteer going above and beyond. He is always ready to dive in and initiate some-

thing new and innovating. He has brought several new ideas to me as the field rep, some of which I use in other events now.”

–Clay Pederson, North Dakota and South Dakota Field Representative

8 YEARS OF SERVICEEAST COUNTY FRIENDS OF NRA

“His public speaking has evolved to a calm reassurance and hu-mility that exemplifies our volunteers are not participating for personal gain, but for the greater good that our grant program does for the community and the future of the shooting sports.”

–Lissa Davis, former Southern California Field Representative

VWESTERNAlaska: Rick Swenson, Homer

Arizona: TíHallalisa Jackson, Zane GreyCalifornia (Central): Barry Bauer, Fresno County

California (North Eastern) and Nevada (Western): John Madden, Modesto and Reno/SparksCalifornia (North Western): Lila Biggs, Lake

California (Southern) and Nevada (Southern): Ronnie Smith, East County Hawaii and Oregon: Dawn Horn, Hawaii

Washington (Western): Dutch Jacoby, Skagit County

Conn. Mass., N.Y. (Lower) and Rhode Island: Louis Fico, Westchester CountyDelaware and Pennsylvania (Eastern): Robert Sproesser, Berks County

Maine, Vermont, N.H. and N.Y. (Northern): Stephen Jeffrey, Northeast KingdomMaryland and New Jersey: Anthony & Pilar Colandro, Essex County

New York (Upper): Thomas Colavito, Putnam CountyNorth Carolina (Eastern): Beecher ìGusî Gray, Chapel Hill

North Carolina (Western): Vann Haigler, Monroe/Union County Pennsylvania (Western): Lew & Mary Ann Cramer, Somerset County

Virginia (Eastern) and Washington, D.C.: David Clark, Danville/PittsylvaniaVirginia (Western) and West Virginia: J. Steve Dibetta, Blennerhassett

Illinois (Northern): Robert & Patricia Feuerborn, Fox Valley AreaIllinois (Southern): Lyle Kruger, National TrailIndiana: Jason Franklin, Falls of the OhioKentucky: Dennis Duke, Big Rivers Michigan: Anthony ìTonyî Costa, Oakland-MacombMissouri: Gant Mitch, State Fair AreaOhio (Northern): Todd Figard, North East OhioOhio (Southern): Paul Long, Mid Ohio ValleyTennessee: Eddie Wilson, MemphisWisconsin: John Perez, Racine/Kenosha Area

MID WEST

SOUTHERN

Colorado: Rich Wyatt, Colorado StateIowa and Nebraska: Ray Hunt, Mid NebraskaKansas: Marion Schumacher, Northwest KansasMinnesota: Adam Ballard, Central MinnesotaMontana: David & Marilyn Eider, Tobacco ValleyNew Mexico: Steve Jones, Estancia ValleyNorth Dakota and South Dakota: Jeff Jensen, Northern OaheOklahoma: Travis Mann, Northwest OklahomaWyoming: Brent & Tracy Wilkes, Great Divide

Alabama: Eric Davidson, Mobile Co.Arkansas and Mississippi (Northern): Don Hill, Capital City

Florida (Northern): Greg Williams, Panama CityFlorida (Southern): Charlie Amaral, West Pasco County

Georgia: Martin Fox, Sumter AreaLouisiana and Mississippi (Southern): Dan Calvert, Pelican State

South Carolina: Beverly Bedenbaugh, Saluda CountyTexas (Northern): Tony Randall, Pineywoods

Texas (Southern): John Griffin, Houston MetroTexas (Western): Robin Dawson, Texas Panhandle

EASTERN

CENTRAL

VOLUNTEERSOF THE YEAR





FRIENDS OF NRA THANKS OUR BOYT FAMILY OF SPONSORS

V 13TRADITIONS . QUARTER 2: 2011

odern-day technology has left individuals steeped in informa-tion-overload. Today, content on the web is abundant and as web-dwellers, we can spend copious blocks of time just weed-ing through fact and fiction, entertainment and educational, or simply the good and the bad. As a result, when we find the website of a person, place, or thing that we actually like, we jump at the chance to star it in our favorites list, subscribe to its RSS feed, or sign-up for its email updates. Constantly seeking the latest and greatest isn’t always healthy for a busy American’s schedule, so instead we star, subscribe, and sign-up as our way of saying, “I like your site, remind me to come back and visit it again.” The X-Ring Bulletin is the newest way visitors are telling

Friends of NRA they like what it has to say. Born from the popularity of the Friends of NRA Facebook page, the X-Ring Bulletin e-newsletter marries condensed information with convenient packaging. “The new X-Ring Bulletin newsletter is a once-a-month email with updates on all things Friends of NRA,” said Jeremy Greene, Event Services Manager. “It isn’t just another email waiting to clog up our attendee’s inboxes. From stories about NRA Foundation grants, to a listing of upcoming events across the country, the X-Ring Bulletin allows our friends to stay informed about the NRA Foundation program they care about. For those invested in the program and the future of the shooting sports this is another opportunity to stay in-touch with what’s going on at Friends of NRA.” With over 10,000 subscribers signed up to receive it already, Friends of NRA is pleased its audience isn’t shy about showing support for the shooting sports. “We want our attendees, volunteers, sponsors, and general supporters to feel like they are a part of everything Friends of NRA is doing,” said Greene. “The stories and accomplish-ments we highlight in the monthly Bulletin are made possible because of the efforts of these people. We consider them a part of Friends of NRA’s own X-Ring, so when we utilize these avenues to showcase the impact of Friends of NRA and The NRA Foundation, we are really showing them how they are making a difference.”

Sign-up to receive future Friends of NRA X-Ring Bulletins or read past and current issues! Visit online at www.FriendsofNRA.org/Bulletin today!

MVOLUNTEERSOF THE YEAR

It might be the only email you actually signed up to get. It’s the Friends of NRA “X-Ring Bulletin,” a monthly e-newsletter for opt-in subscribers only. If you’re not getting it, you’re not getting the full Friends of NRA story.


he NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) brings students from all over the country to attend a once-in-a-lifetime week of events completely im-mersing them into Washington, D.C.’s culture. While in the nation’s capital, Y.E.S. students participate in constitu-tional debates and speeches as well as tour some of the famous monuments and buildings that make up America’s past and present. However, the future of America does not lie in the halls of the Capitol building or Supreme Court. The future of America lies in the hearts of Y.E.S. alumni. Never before has the Y.E.S. Grand Scholarship Committee seen such amazing portfolios showcasing the work of a select number of the previous year’s Y.E.S. graduates. One student imple-mented the Eddie Eagle GunSafe© pro-gram in schools, volunteered at several Friends of NRA banquets, spoke about Y.E.S. to local clubs and schools and wrote articles for NRA InSights and local magazines and newspapers—in the span of nine months. Multiply that by 10 and you have the 2011 Y.E.S. Grand

Scholarship Winners. Although these 10 students spent an extraordinary amount of time imple-menting NRA programs in their com-munities, they didn’t do it solely for the Grand Scholarship money; they did it because they care and love the shooting sports and want to share their enjoy-ment with others. “I have had the opportunity to connect with people that I would have never met if it were not for the Y.E.S. program,” said Breanna Lincoski of Daisytown, Penn. “I have had the opportunity to make new friends and contacts that will help the youth in my part of the state make a difference. I want to be the one to get the youth in-volved in any activity that will preserve our Second Amendment and our way of life.” Russell Babb of Ogden, Utah, dedicated his whole Grand Scholarship application to one NRA program – Eddie Eagle. “My mother was almost killed when she was five-years-old when she found a loaded gun with some friends in the back seat of a neighbor's T

By nicole McMahonSenior Event Services Coordinator, NRA Field Operations Division

CATHERINE COX (SOUTHERN PINES, NC)

ALYSSA CAMPBELL (HUBER HEIGHTS, OH)

$1250

$750

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car,” said Babb. “Her story is one of the things that has motivated me this year to be so involved with the Eddie Eagle program. I always tell groups about the story and how important gun safety is, especially around children.” It’s hard to imagine another organiza-tion in the world that has the commit-ted and dedicated youth of the National Rifle Association. Unlike other organi-zations, these young adults understand they have to fight to preserve their rights and freedoms that have been enjoyed by past generations. In today’s society, the Second Amendment and traditions America was built upon are no longer guaranteed to live on after we are gone. Nevertheless, with these young adults ever vigil, standing guard, the halls of the Capitol and Supreme Court will resonate with the sound of freedom.

Earn money for college while learning more about the United States constitu-tion and government! Apply for the 2012 NRA Youth Education Summit by visiting www.friendsofnra.org/YES.

I want to be the one to get the youth in-volved in any activ-ity that will preserve our Second Amend-ment and our way of life.

TRADITIONS . QUARTER 2: 2011

2011 Y.E.S.GRAND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

By nicole McMahonSenior Event Services Coordinator, NRA Field Operations Division

BREANNA LINCOSKI (DAISYTOWN, PA) PHILIP WEGMANN (WOODBURN, IN)

RUSSELL BABB (HIGHLAND, UT) LUKE MACFARLAN (SILOAM SPRINGS, AR)

CATHERINE COX (SOUTHERN PINES, NC) SAMANTHA SALAZAR (WEST SENECA, NY) TORI SCHLOTZHAUER (NEW FRANKLIN, MO)

ALYSSA CAMPBELL (HUBER HEIGHTS, OH) ELIZABETH GONZALEZ (CHESTERTON, IN) NATHAN SWITZER (NEWPORT NEWS, VA)

$5000 $5000

$2500 $2500

$1250 $1250 $1250

$750 $750 $750

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You are already sporting the window decal, maybe an NRA hitch plug, possibly even the “life member” license plate frame. What you may not know is that

you could be hooking your vehicle up with its very own spe-cialized NRA license plate all while supporting the shooting sports from behind the driver’s seat. Through the cooperation of Friends of NRA committees across the state of Pennsylvania and the PA Department of Transportation, the Keystone State is the latest to offer NRA vanity plates. What makes these plates so special though is that you can only get a PA NRA license plate from an actual Friends of NRA volunteer. In most states offering some form of an NRA plate (see be-low for the full list), you can go straight to the Department of Transportation for your request. However, in Pennsylvania, if you want an NRA plate, the only way to get one is to contact your local Friends of NRA committee member. The best part- all the credit goes to the individual Friends of NRA commit-tees and all the proceeds go toward The NRA Foundation. “These license plates enable us to have Friends of NRA vol-unteers sell the plates and then keep the profits for The NRA Foundation,” said Kory Enck, Senior NRA Field Rep for Eastern PA. “It works out as kind of a reward program where

for every plate a volunteer sells, the profit is counted towards the committee’s net income for their own event. It makes the committee look better and then allows us to take all the prof-its from each committee and put those proceeds towards our State Fund Committee grant program. We then get to help out even more youth shooting programs in Pennsylvania.” Currently, PA Friends of NRA committees have risen over $6,000 in license plate sales, and they have only just begun to break ground. “I think one of the things that was really cool was when I was talking to the people in charge, I asked them ‘What are we going to do after we sell our first 100,000?’ and they replied ‘Well, we’ve never had that happen before.’,” said Tom Baldrige, Senior NRA Field Rep for Western PA. “We have over a quarter of a million NRA members in Pennsylvania. The hardest part is getting the word out, but we’re confident that over time we can shatter that hundred thousand mark and, in the process, raise a lot of money for The NRA Foun-dation.”

Support the shooting sports and get your PA NRA License Plate! Visit www.friendsofnra.org/PA/LicensePlates for more informa-tion on whom to contact in your area.


Overlooked as a craft of the past, a trade typically passed down from one family generation to the next, the art of gunsmithing is a path not commonly

sought in today’s machine-driven world. Even today, there stands but a handful of schools in the nation that even offer gunsmithing degrees or certifications. One such educational institute is Montgomery Communi-ty College (MCC) in Troy, N.C. As one of only four colleges in the country to offer an Associate in Applied Science De-gree in Gunsmithing, MCC has proven itself a forerunner in the advancement of the gunsmithing trade not only in North Carolina but also nationwide. The program’s continual growth and successes are in part an upshot of the NC Friends of NRA State Fund Committee’s (SFC) continual support of the MCC Gunsmithing School.

Over the years, The NRA Foundation has allotted 20 grants to MCC totaling more than $61,000. “The North Carolina Friends of NRA State Fund Commit-tee continues to support Montgomery Community College’s Gunsmithing School year after year because we are extremely proud to have one of the nation’s most revered gunsmith-ing programs in our very own state,” said David Wells, NRA Field Rep for Eastern North Carolina. To extend their appreciation, MCC recipients of the Friends of NRA Merit Scholarship recently gave members of the NC Friends of NRA a tour of its facilities. Program Head Wayne Bernauer and Instructor Jim Fidler began the tour with a display of firearm cutaways produced by the students. The full tour included a visit to two classrooms, a woodwork-ing shop, machine shop, metal refinishing room, welding shop, and a five-position 100-yard outdoor firing range. The gunsmithing curriculum provides students with the skills needed to diagnose and repair firearms, explained Ber-

nauer. Students learn skills in machine shop, metal finishing, stock making, stock finishing, firearm servicing and repair, as well as the laws and regulations governing firearms and busi-nesses. Course work also includes manufacturing of tools used in the gunsmithing trade, restoration of firearms, and custom work. Students spend over two-thirds of class time (2,128 hours) in the shops using hands-on applications of techniques previously learned in the classroom. Future gunsmiths can earn certificates in basic gunsmith-ing, design and repair, technology, and refinishing in just 12 to 18 semester hours and a full diploma after completing the required 42 hours. They can earn a diploma in the craft after completing the required 42 semester hours. The best part— successful graduates are equipped with the

expertise needed to become professional gunsmiths. Current-ly, many MCC alumni are employed within different phases of the firearms industry including manufacturers, military contractors, sporting goods associates and business owners. Around 85% of graduated students since 1996 have remained in the gunsmithing profession, added Bernauer. “The Friends of NRA Merit Scholarship selects the ‘cream of the crop’ of students based on merit and encourages the most well-rounded and talented students to continue pursu-ing a career in gunsmithing,” said Wells. “There are many top-notch gunsmiths now working throughout the state that have studied and graduated at MCC. Friends of NRA is really proud to help fuel a program that produces pillars of the gunsmithing community.”

Apply for an NRA Foundation Grant in North Carolina! Con-tact NRA Field Representative David Wells by email at [email protected] or visit www.nrafoundation.org/grants.


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Having the support of an artist like Charlie Daniels, who is such a big supporter of the Second Amendment—it all means a lot to the program.


Known for pioneering the idea of statewide Friends of NRA donations, Tennessee NRA Field Rep Mike Webb is packing an even bigger punch than ever with his latest addition— 100 red, white, and blue fiddles signed by country-music legend Charlie Daniels. This year, Friends of NRA attendees across the state of Tennessee will get the chance to bid on one of the most unique items throughout The Patriot Nation. The Americana fiddles will be up for auction at every Friends of NRA banquet in Tennessee, with the remain-ing 75 for use at select Friends of NRA banquets across the Central Region. The highest bidder not only receives a signed Charlie Daniels fiddle, but also an autographed CD and picture donated by the Charlie Daniels Band. Every winning bidder from each ban-quet is then entered into a drawing for a two-night stay for two at the Presiden-tial Suite of the Millennium Maxwell House in Nashville, Tenn. along with two tickets to the The Grand Ole Opry® to see Charlie Daniels live with back-stage passes to meet him. Three different entities, and contacts from multiple Tennessee Friends of NRA Committees, came together to

make the total donation a possibility, said Webb. In fact, Angela Wheeler, Director of Creative Services for the Charlie Daniels Band/Blue Hat Records and wife of Davidson County Friends of NRA Chairman W.D. Wheeler, came to Webb with the idea first. When Eddie Kirkus, Co-Chairman of the Wilson County Friends of NRA committee, got wind of the idea, he im-mediately thought to ask Waste Man-agement, where he works as the Bagster Project Director. Waste Management signed on as the main sponsor, provid-ing the entire lot of fiddles to be signed by Charlie Daniels. When Webb told the Millennium Maxwell House, where Davidson County Friends of NRA holds its ban-quet, about its newest statewide dona-tion, they signed on with a two-night stay with V.I.P. service to sweeten the overall package. Nevertheless, the icing on the cake is the 2 tickets to the Opry, including a backstage meet and greet with Charlie Daniels during one of his Opry performances that the grand-prize winners will enjoy during their stay in Nashville. “I’m excited about this sponsorship because it’s really unique and different

from anything we’ve done before,” said Webb. “It’s not a firearm-related raffle or prize, but it is something that three groups of people, who really love the Second Amendment, came together on and ultimately created an item that is really outside the box of what we typi-cally see on the auction line.” It is one of Webb’s most successful auction items too. “The fiddles are doing really well at the banquets,” Webb said. “Having the support of an artist like Charlie Daniels, who is such a big supporter of the Second Amendment, and Waste Management sponsoring the red, white, and blue fiddles, and Millennium Max-well House offering its services—it all means a lot to the program. Everyone is so excited. The committees are happy to have the fiddles in the auctions, the winners are thrilled to have a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the sponsors are pleased to be helping to raise more money for Friends of NRA and The NRA Foundation.”

Attend an upcoming event in Tennessee! Contact NRA Field Representative Mike Webb by email at [email protected] or visit www.friendsofnra.org/TN.

As Fitas a Fiddle

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Born from brainstorming, the Friends of NRA Grid Board Raffle gave wings to a game that was a win-win for Friends of NRA committees and local businesses. This past January, field representatives from all over the South gathered for the annual Southern Region Meeting where they spent four days training, fine-tuning, and brainstorming with fellow Friends of NRA field reps. As new ideas were shared freely amongst friends, one in particular stood out from the crowd. NRA Field Rep for Southern Florida, Tom Knight, was presenting on the recently-developed Friends of NRA Grid Board Raffle— a new twist on an old Friends of NRA banquet game. Beside him stood a grid board featuring 144 squares in 12 by 12 formation with a header atop it with the information of a local Friends of

NRA event. His idea was to provide a simi-lar board to as many local businesses as he could, who would turnaround and sell each square off for a 1 in 144 chance (or if you bought more than one, even closer odds) at winning a firearm donated by the business. Once each square was taken, all the buyer’s names would go into a bucket to draw a winner and if the store was will-ing, the process would start all over again. “I was driving across the state to a banquet with one of my volunteers, John Gettle from Sarasota, and we were talking about a way that we could continue to fundraise throughout the year that would not cause a huge strain on the commit-tees,” said Knight. “We started talking about a way to get the gun shops involved and the idea just kind of hit me. I told John about the Grid Board game and that if we could just shrink it down from the version we use at our banquet it would not take up too much room on their counters. We then began to brainstorm the idea fur-ther and started coming up with so many ways that this idea was a win-win for not only Friends of NRA but the storeowners as well.” Knight’s Grid Board Raffle initia-tive caught the attention of surrounding Southern areas, where colleagues such as NRA Field Rep for Northern Florida, Trip Lancaster, decided to institute the Grid Board Raffle too. “The other field reps have really taken this idea and run with it and continue to improve on the idea,” said Knight. Knight refers mainly to Lancaster’s

GET ONBOARD

adoption of the idea, where he put his own unique spin on it. Instead of raffling off a firearm, Lancaster’s area mostly raffles off gift certificates to the store hosting the raffle. “Trip Lancaster has stretched the idea far past what I ever envisioned by expand-ing on it with the idea of gift certificates to local stores,” Knight said. “Now you are not limited to only gun shops. We have them set up in feed stores, retail stores, etc. The possibilities are really endless.” The key to getting stores to agree, said Lancaster, was allowing participating businesses to use $500 of the money they make off the Grid Board Raffle to fund the grand-prize $500 gift certificate raffled off in the end. “We know how it is for small businesses during these hard economic times,” said Lancaster. “So instead of asking them for an outright donation, we asked them to help us raise money for Friends of NRA while making money for their store.” “It becomes a win-win for both the committee and the business,” Lancaster said. “Committees love it because it makes

more money for their banquets without them having to bear the burden of selling the grid board tickets on top of everything else and the stores usually self-promote the game, which promotes the local Friends of NRA banquet in the process.” In Knight’s area, many of the gun shop owners even take the initiative to invite all the people who entered the raffle back to the store for the big drawing. “Several of my gun shops here in Sarasota are now having monthly draw-ings with Barbecue’s and everything,” said Knight. “Just this past month we had a gun shop contact everyone and told them we were having a drawing next Saturday and that we would be putting on a barbe-cue along with it. We had a huge turnout. About 45 people showed up and the shop owner ended up selling a ton of merchan-dise—including two $1,200 bows. The owner is thrilled and wants to keep them coming.” So far, over 65 stores across the state of Florida are participating, with plans to bring the Friends of NRA Grid Board Raffle to more stores in the future. “We are already planning on doing this again next year,” said Lancaster. “Right now not all committees are doing it, but we want to get all of them utilizing it for their local banquets next year.” It has been received extremely well from everyone involved, added Knight. “The committees love it because it raises money year round with minimal effort on their part. The shop owners love it because it gives them a chance to get patrons back through their door and sell additional mer-chandise. And of course the patrons love it because who doesn’t love the thrill of knowing you have great odds at winning a new gun?”

To get on board with one of the Florida Grid Board Raffles near you, contact Northern Florida NRA Field Rep Howell “Trip” Lancaster at (352)463-1673 or [email protected] or Southern Florida NRA Field Rep Tom Knight at (941) 748-7676 or [email protected] for more information.

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ave Manzer loves a good guessing game, especially when he is the one asking the questions. If you have ever heard of the game,

“Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” then getting the premise of “Where in Wyoming is Dave Manzer?” is an easy catch. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, the latest Wyoming Friends of NRA Facebook craze is a simple game testing your state history and general landmark knowledge with I spy. Manzer, NRA Field Rep for the state of Wyoming, was talking to Friends of NRA volunteer Shann Edwards one day when his phone started cutting in and out. The conversation was about how to get more people interacting on the Wy-oming Friends of NRA Facebook page so they could in turn, promote Friends of NRA and The NRA Foundation grants better. Manzer knew the conversation was about to come to a halt though. He was approaching a canyon he frequently

crossed on his trips throughout the state of Wyoming to reach Friends of NRA committees and events and knew this particular spot left much to be desired in cell phone reception— and the bliz-zarding weather ahead was no help. But what the rocky cell service and surrounding snowstorm did offer Man-

zer was some time to mull over his latest endeavor. “Right before I left cell service I snapped a picture of the blizzard and sent it to her,” said Manzer. “Field reps put a lot of miles on their vehicles driv-ing across their areas for meetings and banquets. Being on the road that much gives you a lot of time to think.” With the WY State Friends of NRA Facebook page still fresh on his mind, Manzer’s wheels continued turning. At this point, he knew he wanted to do some kind of contest to drive more people to his page, but he also wanted to keep them coming back for more. “Communication is key in any orga-nization, and Facebook is a really great way to get the word out,” Manzer said. “I started thinking about all the places I have seen and been in Wyo-ming, and by the time I got through the canyon, I had the idea of doing a con-test through our Facebook page where I would snap a picture of some place I was going through, people could send us their guesses, and the winners would

be put into a drawing for a firearm.” After sharing his idea with Edwards, who runs the WY State Friends of NRA Facebook page, she immediately jumped on board with the idea and worked on fine-tuning the contest details like setting up an email account, writing up the rules and regulations,

and most importantly, spreading the news of the new contest on Facebook. Every week Manzer uploads a photo featuring somewhere along his travels. Whether it be a small town square, a historical statue, or a scenic landscape view, players have to know their stuff or know his route. “I really love the history part of it and especially that it highlights get-ting to know Wyoming,” said Manzer. “There are some who come back and try every few weeks and then some who track to see the roads I travel for my events and guess every time. They are really into it as much as I am.” Over 20 weeks later, and the contest is still going strong. Those who email in the right answer are then entered into a drawing for a free firearm. Moreover, the local Wyo-ming Friends of NRA banquet with the most submissions will receive a prize to use for auction at their next banquet. “It’s been a great way to get the word out about Friends of NRA. We have people from all over the place partici-pating, not just people from Wyoming,” Manzer said. “Some of them are just guesses, some supportive, and some of them are just so funny. The whole thing has just really been a joy for everyone involved. The best part is that people who never even knew about Friends of NRA before are playing too.”

Brush up on your Wyoming routes! Go to the Wyoming State Friends of NRA Facebook Page and press “Like” to start playing this week. Email your answers to [email protected]. The contest runs from January 17 through November 13, 2011.

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I started thinking about all the places I have seen and been in Wyoming, and by the time I got through the canyon, I had the idea of doing a contest through our Facebook page


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CASES SOLVED1

Week 4Devil’s Tower National Monument

Black Hills of Crook County, Wyoming

2Week 19

Statue of Chris LeDouxKaycee, Wyoming

3Week 8

Wyoming Frontier PrisonRawlins, Wyoming

4Week 6

Grand TetonGrand Teton National Park, Wyoming

5Week 1

Devil’s GateNatrona County, Wyoming

6Week 16

I-80 tunnelsGreen River, Wyoming

7Week 2

Laramie PeakMedicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming

8Week 3

Teapot DomeNatrona, Wyoming

BREAK THE NEXT WY CASE WIDE OPEN

"Like" the Wyoming State Friends of NRA Page on Facebook


n 2009, Gerry Moore told a friend he had cancer. It slowed him down, but it didn’t stop him. Gerry’s closest friends fondly remember a mentally strong,

humorous, driven man who was pas-sionate about many things and dedi-cated to principles, including the belief that all citizens have the right to keep and bear arms. For this reason, among others, the NRA was very important to Gerry. He wanted his grandchildren to continue hunting and shooting guns, and he firmly believed the NRA was the only way to keep the Second Amend-ment going. Gerry was very active in sports, but his true love was hunting. Time spent hunting allowed him the opportunity

to exchange stories with his friends and wager on who could bag the biggest game. With no siblings, his friends felt like family to him. And all families have their favorite stories. On one occasion, Gerry had wanted a friend to shoot in a skeet league with him. His friend indicated that he did not have a good shotgun for skeet shooting. The loyal and generous man he was, the next week Gerry showed up with a new Winchester 101 over/under shotgun. Another close comrade recalled an unforgettable elk hunt. On this particular occasion, the two were guests of the owners of Deer Time Ranch— a place known for producing big bulls and cows. With Gerry’s advanced stage of cancer, it was the ideal place for two

guys who loved to hunt. Navigating the higher landscapes where the larger animals roamed proved more difficult than they could handle, so they set their sights on a more conducive location. Opening day Gerry was posted in a shooting house with a wheeled office chair as if he was King of the Mountain. “It was perfect. If you remember the first time you took your child or grandchild into a candy store, that was the look on Gerry’s face. The smile only stopped because he ran out of face.” Following his prognosis, Gerry continued to attend the local NRA committee meetings and the Heartland Friends of NRA banquets. But by early 2010, he was living day to day and had declared he had ridden his last rodeo. Much to everyone’s disbelief, Gerry attended an August 2010 banquet after doctors told him he had only days to live. Even more surprising was when Gerry walked into the 2010 Septem-ber wrap-up meeting simply saying he couldn’t miss it. Although he struggled, his action showed how passionate Gerry was about supporting the Second Amendment and was a very mov-ing moment for the other committee members. It was his wish that after his passing, his wife would continue to be a banquet sponsor in his memory.

Only a week later, Gerry passed away.

Gerry Moore was a man who made lasting impressions on his friends and a person who will never be forgotten or replaced. He was an NRA life member, a dedicated supporter and volunteer, and a stalwart for the organization. One of his proudest accomplishments was attending Jeff Cooper’s Gunsite Acad-emy for a week about fifteen years ago. Those who knew him best considered their proudest accomplishment to be able to call him “brother.”

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hose who place a high priority on the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and have a genuine enthusiasm for the shooting arts, gath-

ered together at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on April 30 for the 2011 Roseburg Friends of the NRA banquet and auction. The doors opened at 4:00 pm and the room filled to near capacity by the time dinner was served at 5:30. The early birds scouted the silent auc-tion tables and the perennial favorite - bucket raffle tables, seeking out gun related paraphernalia they convinced themselves they couldn’t do without. Chris Boice, owner of Big O’ Tires of Roseburg, kept things moving along as the Master of Ceremonies, and Sam Lee, as auctioneer, siphoned off a healthy sum from the willing bidders. The Roseburg Friends of NRA event has been the top Friends of NRA event in Oregon for several years running, and one of the most successful in the nation. Proceeds from the event all go towards NRA Foundation pro-grams such as; youth education, range development, and conservation efforts among other qualified educational programs. Even in the midst of tough economic times for many local area businesses, the $45 dinner ticket didn’t keep organizers from filling the banquet hall. Bidding was robust, and the live auction alone grossed nearly $40K. Several guns were raffled, and after completing the requisite background checks, the winners of the raffles cheer-fully hauled home with them the latest

addition to their firearm collections. A highlight of this year’s event was the premier showcasing of game tro-phies that Biggie and Jean Van Meter brought back from the African Safari they purchased at a previous year’s Friends event. The mounts were on display for the first time at the banquet and in fact, the hunters themselves hadn’t seen them prior to their appearance that evening. This year’s featured African hunt was

auctioned off for $5,500 and included a 7-day hunt in Namibia and taxidermy for up to three animals between the two lucky hunters. Among the other 45 live auction items were several custom rifles and pistols, limited edition prints, vacation adventures, including another hunting trip to New Zealand and even a limited edition NRA tricycle for the grandkids. The evening’s events ended at about eleven o’clock after all the silent auc-tion and bucket raffle winners were identified and everyone settled their accounts. The organizers and sponsors were pleased with this year’s response and seemed confident they would retain their “top event” bragging rights for Oregon.

Attend an upcoming event in Oregon! Contact NRA Field Representative Mike Carey by email at [email protected] or visit www.friendsofnra.org/OR.

By DaviD JaqueSOwner, The Roseburg Beacon

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t may not have been the belle of the ball, but the ARGO 8x8 ATV 750 HDi was turning heads outside this year’s National NRA Foundation Banquet. Known for its world-class and all-terrain vehicles, ARGO ATVs are the choice off-road vehicle

for handling some of the toughest terrain in the world. As a 2011 Friends of NRA National Corporate Sponsor, ARGO donated the head-turning ARGO 8x8 ATV 750 HDi to the National NRA Foundation Banquet at the 2011 NRA Annual Meetings in Pitts-burgh, Pa. Besides attracting the attention of banquet attendees, the amphibious vehicle helped raise over $75,000 as the top prize in the bucket raffle drawings. While one lucky winner (T. Lynn Tompkins of Frisco,

Texas) went home with the outdoors-man’s dream means of transportation, ARGO’s donation ultimately assisted The NRA Foundation’s dream to keep shooting sports thriving for years to come. “As a manufacturer of extreme terrain vehicles used by a growing number of outdoors sportsmen, including many NRA members, ARGO USA supports Friends of NRA in promoting safe shooting sports for the enjoyment of all Americans,” said Kevin Rooney, ARGO Vice President of Marketing. Because of the support of ARGO, and other companies who serve as Friends of NRA National Corporate Sponsors, Friends of NRA and The NRA Foundation are able to foster more shooting programs, educate and train more individuals throughout the country, and pave new roads for the future of shooting sports.

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For more information on Argo ATV’s please visit them online at www.argoatv.comTo learn more about the Friends of NRA Corporate Sponsor Program visit www.friendsofnra.org/corporate-sponsors.aspx

T. Lynn Tompkins (left) with Argo District Sales Manager John Dunham


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he National Defense Match (NDM) was de-signed as a practical test of a competitor’s abilities to perform drills that relate to

real-world defensive shooting scenarios. It is a speed and accuracy competition that will be shot on both electronic and paper targets. Electronic targets will be used at Camp Perry, but the course is designed to accommodate firing on paper targets at a local club range. At Camp Perry, no one will be required to pull pit duty and there will be no alibis, hence the term—“real-world.” The NDM will have categories that favor the use of defensive or field grade rifles. The rules are flexible enough to allow common configurations of AR-15s and other rifles currently used by our armed forces. Equipment such as slightly adjustable stocks designed for field use may be used as well as the new free-floated and Picatinny rail forends

and handguards. Competitors will be required to wear their rifles for the du-ration of the match. No carts, just like in the “real-world.” If you want to carry around a heavy rifle all day you may do so, as long as it has a safe one-, two- or three-point sling. The daily round count for the two-day match is 162 at present, but watch for changes as we put the final touches on the course-of-fire. Empty chamber indicators (either in the chamber or through the magazine well, with bolt closed) are required and, as always, safe muzzle direction will be strictly enforced.

The categories are Tactical Rifle, Iron; Tactical Rifle, Optic; and Open. For Tactical Rifle, Iron and Optic you will need a 4.5 pound or greater trigger

After years of concept development and a dry run in 2010, the 2011 Nationals at Camp Perry will see a new service rifle course-of-fire that reflects evolutionary changes in modern tactical firearms.

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“WHAT SETS APART THIS MATCH FROM OTHER NRA COMPETITIVE SHOOTING DISCIPLINES IS THE FACT THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO MIMIC REAL-LIFE TRAINING AND TACTICS.”

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By Trey TuggleNRA Tactical Rifle Coordinator

and a barrel length of 20 inches or less. Sights in Tactical Iron must be field grade flip-up style or fixed. No target aperture sights are allowed and your front sight must not be forward of the gas block. The open category includes any rifle with less than 4.5 pound trig-gers or a barrel length longer than 20 inches. An example of an open rifle is one with a 5-pound trigger and an 18-inch barrel, but with a target aperture sight. The match is not restricted to AR-15 platforms. Any modern defensive, safe rifle can be entered. Coupled magazines are not permitted.

Because competitors are required to carry their rifle throughout the match, special squadding arrangements will be necessary to share a rifle. For the Camp

Perry match this summer, such requests must be submitted prior to 2:00 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2011.

The NDM is by invitation only in this inaugural year. With greater range capacity, the NRA hopes to open the match up to more competitors in the future. The awards ceremony will immediately follow the last string of the two-day course on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13-14. In addition to the winners, there will be special awards for the top junior, senior and woman. Raise this topic at your next club meeting as a way of bringing new shooters into the shooting sports! For more information on the match or how to start an NDM near you, please call (703) 267-1487 or email [email protected].

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ShareD equiPMenT

“RIFLES MUST BE ON YOUR PERSON AND SLUNG ROUND YOUR SHOULDER WHEN NOT IN USE....JUST LIKE OUR ARMED FORCES STATIONED ACROSS THE WORLD ARE REQUIRED TO DO.”

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INDIVIDUAL DONORSGifts of $25,000+ Philip R. Agnes Lead Trust FloridaAnonymous CaliforniaCabela’s NebraskaRobert D. & Norma Ann Hancock Trust NevadaLockton Companies MissouriNosler, Inc. OregonP-M Consulting Corporation Virginia

Gifts of $5,000 - 24,999 Anonymous IowaAnonymous MichiganMr. & Mrs. Gerald W. Bersett MissouriThe Brook Family Foundation MaineCheaper Than Dirt TexasCrimson Trace Corporation OregonDBS International PennsylvaniaEdith P. Fleeman North CarolinaGuilford Foundation VirginiaMr. & Mrs. Shad R. Ketcher MinnesotaLipsey’s Inc. LouisianaNatchez Shooters Supply TennesseeNumrich Gun Parts Corporation New YorkMr. & Mrs. James Nyce PennsylvaniaMr. John D. Pearson MichiganMr. Elliott Riggs New MexicoState Fund Committee of Central California CaliforniastickK.com LLC New York

J. D. Williams, Esq. Texas

Gifts of $1,000 - $4,999 Anonymous VirginiaAuctionarms.com, Inc. CaliforniaMr. Ralph W. Bastian, Jr. CaliforniaMr. & Mrs. Brian W. Clements PennsylvaniaMr. Kenneth H. Daniel CaliforniaDillon Precision Products Corp., Inc. ArizonaMr. & Mrs. John Draper ColoradoH. R. and Sally Gentsch IllinoisMr. & Mrs. Frank W. Ghilarducci ColoradoHibbing Rifle & Pistol Club MinnesotaJ & G Sales, Ltd. ArizonaMr. Ed Maleszewski OhioMrs. Frances S. Pawtowski FloridaPeregrine Co. KentuckyMr. Wilson H. Phillips Jr. VirginiaMr. & Mrs. Robert A. Ringdahl VirginiaMiss Hilary L. Roberts TexasCharles C. Sargent GeorgiaMr. & Mrs. Robert M. Stuck North CarolinaMrs. Judi White Arizona

Gifts of $250 - $999 Anonymous ArizonaArtic Air Refrigeration, Inc. OklahomaMr. Joseph G. Breton TexasMr. Donald G. Chilcote Michigan

Dr. Inger J. Christensen UtahMr. Charles B. Coffman CaliforniaMary Darling, MS, J.D. ArizonaDelaware Antique Arms Collectors Association, Inc. DelawareMrs. Bonita G. Fraim OhioGalco International ArizonaGrice Gun Shop PennsylvaniaMr. William H. Grimes ArizonaHamilton Medical Group LouisianaMr. Craig A. Leres CaliforniaMr. & Mrs. Greg D. Luther TexasMr. Daniel O. Maldonado TexasMr. & Mrs. Lathan D. Murphy FloridaMr. Michael R. Newcomer North CarolinaMr. George William Nugent OhioMr. William J. Proefrock New YorkMr. and Mrs. Tim Roodvoets Michigan Mr. Tyler T. Schropp VirginiaGary & Janice Shepherd & Family OhioSt. Charles Hunting & Fishing Club IllinoisWidener’s Reloading & Shooting Supply, Inc. TennesseeMr. Justin Willette Massachusetts

ESTATES Estate of Robert R. Briggs TennesseeRobert C. Colven Education Trust DelawareEstate of Stephen R. Dows CaliforniaEstate of Thomas Clifford Nelson Wisconsin

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Listed contributions do not neccessarily reflect total giving for the year. We make every effort to ensure accuracy and completeness of donor names.If you notice any errors or ommissions, please contact us at (800) 423-6894 or by email at [email protected]. Thank You.

The NRA Foundation Thanks the Following Donors for Their Generosity and Continued SupportFebruary 1, 2011 - April 30, 2011


Estate of Paul A. Rogers OregonEstate of Robert W. Schulz California

IN KIND GIFTSMr. Ronald L. Adolphi VirginiaMr. Henry A. Alme MontanaAmerican Legacy Firearms ColoradoDr. & Mrs. Don G. Benson, Jr. TexasMr. & Mrs. Leonard C. Epler PennsylvaniaMr. William Thomas Gennetti, Jr. VirginiaDr. Sheldon Gilbert VirginiaRobert Hausman, Esq. VermontMr. Richard Neihaus FloridaMr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Peterson New MexicoMr. Marshall Robinson ConnecticutMr. Craig D. M. Routson MarylandAssistant Chief Harry James Ruffel District of ColumbiaMs. Mari M. Smith VirginiaMr. Al M. Sternale PennsylvaniaColonel James E. Toth VirginiaMr. William R. VanderHaar Maryland

IN HONOR OF GIFTS Jerry Krause Dr. S. M. Latta James E. Rouse Mr. & Mrs. Peter C. Butler Manuel R. Spencer Mr. Rodney Updike

IN MEMORY OF GIFTSJohn N. Bechtel Detective Lieutenant & Mrs Dennis L. Willing Sheldon K. Bright Mr. Roy F. Jessup

Steve Campodonico Ms. Meredith Ladd Frederick J. Castellini A. Pagnini Farms Mr. & Mrs. John D. Braidi Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Castellini Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Castellini Jr. City of Vineland Public Works Department Ms. Louise Consalo Ms. Mildred Consalo Mr. Edward A. DiPalma Ms. Elizabeth M. Favretto Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Flaim Mr. & Mrs. David E. Franceschini, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence G. Franze Mr. Richard E. Gardella Ms. Mary L. Gruccio J & E Petronglo & Sons, LLC Mr. & Mrs. George M. Jacobson Jerry Suk Farms Mrs. Jean M. Lera Mr. Loguidice & Ms. Mongelluzzo Mr. & Mrs. Michael Marino Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pedulla Ms. Janet Pierotti Mr. George E. Rossi S Coraluzzo Petroleum Transporters Ms. Linda Sikking Mr. & Mrs. Andrew M. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Marshall L. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Spinelli Mr. & Mrs. Carl R. Tarabbio Tarabbio Farms, Inc. Vineland Co-Operative Auction Association, Inc. Vineland Fire Company 5 Wm. Consalo & Sons Farms, Inc. Patrick R. Catania Mr. and Mrs. Robert Predmore Warne R. Clancy Possum Run Greenhouses Southern Title Of Ohio, LTD Robert J. Colarusso Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Armbrecht Ms. Catherine E. Royal Mr. Daciano W. Stone Douglas L. Collins Mr. Calvin R. Hoffman Donald E. Cook Fall Creek Conservation Club Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Kissell Mr. Jeffrey D. Mock Mr. Charles Walbridge Pat F. Destasio Mr. and Mrs. Cyril A. Bizub

Ms. Susan Shoun Nesbit Mr. and Mrs. George M. Thomas Katherine L. Dickens Mr. Ross C. Hughes Vincent J. Fazio Mr. Christopher D. Boyd John Fitzpatrick Mr. David Blaunt Cecil Q. Hawley Old Fort Gun Club Oscar Hoffman Mr. Ed Johns Gordon Luckenbaugh Ms. Mary Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Wesley E. Perry Dennis R. McClintock Geneva Rod & Gun Club Larry J. Mizek Logan County Fish & Game Randall H. Morris St. Charles Hunting & Fishing Club John George O’Polka Mr. and Mrs. Reg Phillips Robert H. Plimpton Mr. Richard A. Speers Aubrey L. Ryals Mr. John Good Charles Henry Stewart M.D. Hamilton Medical Group Jonathan M. Stone Mr. Samuel Lyons Mr. Oliver A. Nickle, Jr. Norton Wade Mr. Dale E. Campbell Donald Welch Mr. Andrew A. Francoeur Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Logue David Williams Mr. and Mrs. A. Thomas Hansen

31

Listed contributions do not neccessarily reflect total giving for the year. We make every effort to ensure accuracy and completeness of donor names.If you notice any errors or ommissions, please contact us at (800) 423-6894 or by email at [email protected]. Thank You.

The NRA Foundation Thanks the Following Donors for Their Generosity and Continued SupportFebruary 1, 2011 - April 30, 2011


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