Richard Pearson

The number of days until the General Election are dwindling down to a precious few.  I don’t mind telling you I have the brassy taste of fear in my mouth over this election.  Every gun owner better vote and vote the right way.  To that end, my wife and I ordered mail in ballots.  I voted and mailed in my ballot last Monday.  Dropping my ballot in the mail gave me pause I have to admit.  The ballot left my hands properly addressed but that doesn’t mean it will arrive.  I don’t know that I will do that again.  Voting in person certainly gives me a higher confidence level.  Still, I wanted to vote once by mail to see what it was like.

President Trump has authorized the declassification of any and all documents related to the Russia investigation tied to the 2016 Presidential Election and the smear campaign orchestrated by Hillary Clinton.  Though heavily redacted, there was obviously a set up involving John Brennan, Susan Rice, James (I don’t remember anything) Comey and many others.  If all these people knew what was going on and then President Obama was briefed about what was going on, what did Joe Biden know?  If enough facts are revealed in time this may influence the 2020 General Election, as it should.  This whole thing is a pile of Democrat political manure of biblical proportions.  While Hillary Clinton did not get the title of President of the United States, she seems to have earned the distinction of Queen of Corruption.

On November 19, 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev said, “The United States will eventually fly the communist red flag…the American people will hoist it themselves.”  It appears we are getting close to that time.  There are 45 goals the communists set for themselves.  They include control of the schools, use of riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under communist attack, infiltrate the press, gain control of key positions in radio, TV and motion pictures. (Since that time, we would have to add various forms of social media).  How do you think they are doing?

Gun owners of the United States are resisting but some gun owners tell me they don’t want to get involved.  That is like finding yourself in a big iron kettle full of water over a roaring fire surrounded by cannibals and telling them you don’t want to be involved.  You better get involved or you will be on somebody’s dinner plate shortly.  Every gun owner better go out and vote and vote the right way.  This one is for all the marbles.

A few years ago, Remington was acquiring other gun companies.  One of those companies was Marlin.  Marlin is a fine old name in firearms and was Annie Oakley’s favorite.  Remington was never able to produce firearms of the quality that Marlin achieved.  This was, at least in part, because they moved the production line a couple of times leaving some of the skilled Marlin employees behind.  Now Ruger has purchased Marlin from Remington.  It will take a while but I’m sure within a year or two Marlin will be back.

For those who want to get their children or grandchildren into a youth camp, the ISRA still has openings for our Saturday, October 17^th ISRA Youth Camp.  Please contact [email protected].
 
Tidbits:          
October 8, 1918 - Sergeant Alvin Cullum York was one of the most decorated soldiers of WWI.  In October of 1918, Corporal York was part of the United States 82^nd Division, 328^th Regiment Company G.  He soon was in the Meuse-Argonne offensive which was assigned to breach the Hindenburg Line and end WWI.  Alvin C. York grew up in Pall Mall, Tennessee.  Having to provide food for the table of his mother and 10 brothers and sisters made Alvin York an expert marksman.

On October 8, 1918, York and 16 other soldiers were to infiltrate the German lines and take out a machine gun nest.  German soldiers killed six Americans and wounded three others.  Corporal York was the highest-ranking soldier left and took command.  York told the others in his command to stay down and provide cover while he (York) flanked the Germans.  He found a good position and began firing at the Germans, killing 20.  Out of ammunition for his rifle, York was charged by six German soldiers with bayonets.  Taking out his 1911, he shot all six before they could reach him (as a side note, the film, Sergeant York, showed him using a German Luger and a 1903 Springfield rifle, when, in fact, he used a 1917 Enfield rifle).  In 1940, when the film was made, there were no blanks available for the 1911 but 9mm blanks were available so a German Luger was substituted.  York, and what was left of his platoon, captured 132 Germans and marched them back to headquarters.

For his actions, York was immediately promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.  Upon further investigation, the medal was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.  Sergeant York was also awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Medal Mititaire and the Legion of Honor by France, the Marino de Gurra by Italy, and the War Medal by Montenegro.  Eventually, Sergeant York received more than 50 military decorations.  The citation with Sergeant York’s Medal of Honor reads, “After his platoon suffered heavy casualties and 3 other non-commissioned officers had become casualties, Cpl. York assumed command.  Fearlessly leading seven men, he charged with great daring a machine gun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon.  In this heroic feat, the machine gun nest was taken together with 4 officers and 128 men and several guns.”  Before leaving France, York was his division’s delegate to the caucus which created The American Legion, of which York was a charter member.

October 10, 1845 - The United States Naval Academy opens in Annapolis, Maryland.  The first class had 50 students and a faculty of 7 professors.

October 12, 1492 - Christopher Columbus reaches the New World, landing in the Bahamas.  He was the first European to reach the New World since the Vikings expeditions, the 10th century.

October 13, 1775 - The Continental Congress authorizes the American Naval Force.  It consisted of 8 ships.  The first Commander was Esek Hopkins.

October 13, 1792 - The cornerstone of the White House is laid.

October 13, 1947 - Captain Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier for the first time.  He was flying the Bell X-1 rocket plane after it was dropped from a B29 bomber.
 
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Upcoming Events: ISRA Calendar
For more information, visit www.isra.org

Saturday, October 10, 2020
Black Powder League State Championships

Sunday, October 11, 2020
2 Gun Drills

Monday, October 12, 2020
Black Powder Confederation

Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League
ISRA Indoor Air Rifle League

Saturday, October 17, 2020
ISRA Youth Camp
Drew Cup National Smallbore Team Championship

Sunday, October 18, 2020
Marksmanship League
.22 Rimfire Steel Challenge

Saturday, October 24, 2020
ISRA Sighting-in Day

Gun & Trade Shows

Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show
Kankakee Count Fairgrounds – Kankakee, IL
Dates: October 17 & 18, 2020
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-3:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

McHenry County Gun Show
McHenry County Fairgrounds – Woodstock, IL
Date: October 18, 2020
Hours: Sunday: 8:00-1:00
Admission: $5.00

Crown Point Gun Show
Lake County Fairgrounds – Crown Point, IN
Dates: October 24 & 25, 2020
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

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