Letter: 2nd District sees growth in Jr. Shooting Sports

The 2nd District of Minnesota saw growth in the 2023 American Legion Jr. Shooting Sports Program.

Redwood Falls Post 38 fielded a team for the 10th straight year. They had five participants, three boys and two girls.

Pipestone Post 6 started their first year with 12 participants, 11 boys and one girl. In addition to the American Legion Jr. Shooting Sports Round 1 Postal Match, post teams participated in the Civilian Marksmanship Program Postal, Minnesota Air Gun Championships, and CMP ACES matches. The 2nd District was represented by a team with members from both posts in the Jr. Olympic State Championship held at Anoka American Legion Post 102 and hosted by the Minnesota Centershots.

The Pipestone and Redwood Falls posts are affiliated with their local 4-H programs. By affiliating with established Jr. Shooting Sports Programs, American Legion posts may have access to trained youth, certified coaches, Sporter Air Rifle equipment, supplies and ranges.

Affiliated programs gain the opportunity to participate in American Legion programs as well as other competitive matches. Members of the Pipestone and Redwood Falls teams represented Minnesota at the 4-H National Championships on the .22 smallbore rifle team. They participated in NRA Hunter silhouette, CMP Sporter Rimfire and NRA 3 Position matches.

The 2nd District is looking forward to continued growth through an NRA Foundation grant of air rifles, ammunition and supplies. The Friends of NRA grant items will be available from Redwood Falls Post 38 on a lend/lease program for posts in the 2nd District unable to find affiliates or fund their own programs.

Currently there are six posts in the 2nd District interested in starting Jr. Shooting Sports Programs in 2024.

More information on the American Legion Jr. Shooting Sports Program can be found at legion.org/shooting.

Jerry Ludwig
Chairman
2nd District
Jr. Shooting Sports