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://x.com/AppleseedNation

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/)

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

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

Key Discussion Points