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Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
- Thread starter A10XRIFLE
- Start date
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
I had planned to shoot that match with my team, but we just couldn't make it. Had I known that this special ceremony was going to happen I would have made the drive by myself. Sorry I missed it, and the opportunity to meet my Gunsmith!
Thanks for the pics and info George.
I had planned to shoot that match with my team, but we just couldn't make it. Had I known that this special ceremony was going to happen I would have made the drive by myself. Sorry I missed it, and the opportunity to meet my Gunsmith!
Thanks for the pics and info George.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Very, Very, VERY cool of you George.. Thats good shit right there.. Good shit..
Very, Very, VERY cool of you George.. Thats good shit right there.. Good shit..
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Wow!
Amazing story. I got a little choked up.
"BZ" and Thank you, to all involved.
Wow!
Amazing story. I got a little choked up.
"BZ" and Thank you, to all involved.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Inspirational stories always choke me up, especially this one. I thank God that We are blessed with such a fine group of soldiers that make up our military, soldiers who protect our Freedoms and Liberties. Aaron Howell is no exception. He will forever be in my prayers.
Mr. Gardner, thank you for this story. I'm really happy that I just shipped my Surgeon action and bottom metal for a complete build by one class-act and great guy.
Inspirational stories always choke me up, especially this one. I thank God that We are blessed with such a fine group of soldiers that make up our military, soldiers who protect our Freedoms and Liberties. Aaron Howell is no exception. He will forever be in my prayers.
Mr. Gardner, thank you for this story. I'm really happy that I just shipped my Surgeon action and bottom metal for a complete build by one class-act and great guy.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
George cut another bolt and threw a Badger knob on it and the FED Ex guy just dropped it off. It chambers and cyles 118LR and 168 FED match like a dream. Now Aaron has the M40A1 era bolt, and another that will let give him some more real estate to work.
Now back to cleaning that stick for him, He definately got her dirty.
A few more pics...
Working from a ruck @ the 600.
Edited by personal request, thanks.
George cut another bolt and threw a Badger knob on it and the FED Ex guy just dropped it off. It chambers and cyles 118LR and 168 FED match like a dream. Now Aaron has the M40A1 era bolt, and another that will let give him some more real estate to work.
Now back to cleaning that stick for him, He definately got her dirty.
A few more pics...
Working from a ruck @ the 600.
Edited by personal request, thanks.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Incredible! Great men helping each other; thanks for sharing this event. God bless all.
Incredible! Great men helping each other; thanks for sharing this event. God bless all.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
George,
Just wanted to say thank you for what you did for Aaron. Hes a great guy, I went through the Scout Sniper Team Leaders Course with him. Me and my other buddy went to visit him right after he was injured and he has an incredible amount of preserverence. Looks like you built him a great rifle. I also have an m40a1 spec that you built me after my last deployment and I love it. Thanks again for supporting a fellow HOG.
George,
Just wanted to say thank you for what you did for Aaron. Hes a great guy, I went through the Scout Sniper Team Leaders Course with him. Me and my other buddy went to visit him right after he was injured and he has an incredible amount of preserverence. Looks like you built him a great rifle. I also have an m40a1 spec that you built me after my last deployment and I love it. Thanks again for supporting a fellow HOG.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Just saw this thread. Amazing. Absolutely amazing.
Just saw this thread. Amazing. Absolutely amazing.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
What can I add, great job gentleman on outfitting this brave man. George and guys, great move.
What can I add, great job gentleman on outfitting this brave man. George and guys, great move.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
George and Matt,
I forwarded this thread to a friend of mine and he requested that I send you guys his reply to me. Please check your email and put Cpl. Howell in contact with my amigo.
bk
George and Matt,
I forwarded this thread to a friend of mine and he requested that I send you guys his reply to me. Please check your email and put Cpl. Howell in contact with my amigo.
bk
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Semper Fi Aaron. And to EVERYONE involved with this project...Thank You, and God Bless all of you.
Semper Fi Aaron. And to EVERYONE involved with this project...Thank You, and God Bless all of you.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Well done. Great story. Glad to hear about people helping people.
Powerful stuff.
Well done. Great story. Glad to hear about people helping people.
Powerful stuff.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Thank you for sharing this, bunch of fine people form a great cause, for a great soldier. Well done!
Thank you for sharing this, bunch of fine people form a great cause, for a great soldier. Well done!
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Hey fella's...
I'm the other Jarhead George mentioned in the OP. After talking to Matt earlier, I realized that I hadn't even thought to swing by here yet to see George's awesome post.
For a bit of insight, below are a few words I pecked out following the recent Warrior shoot where we met Aaron. I thought it would provide a bit of context, so you all can see better into how this all came about.
break break...
<span style="font-style: italic">Once again I sit here humbly, pecking at keys with ten serviceable digits, meagerly fumbling for words as I reflect upon what I am now witness too.
Please step into my head for a second, I hope you brought a mouthpiece and ear pro… it’s the only way I can convey, with any shred of honor and accuracy, what I beheld on the eleventh of September, two thousand ten.
One of my closest brothers from the Corps sought me out in the crowd ten feet behind the firing line. “Chad, can we get a bolt gun? We’ve got an 8541 out here…”
Now keep in mind my buddy served 18 months in our Scout Sniper Platoon, one of the last Marine PIGs to OJT and MEU(SOC) qualify to take a shot with the M40 back in the day. The entirety of his time in a S/S Platoon was as a pack mule, humping three radios and a metric fuckload of equipment with his Sniper. This new HOG spotted SwiftScout's S/S Platoon shirt and dangled his Hog’s Tooth when he got SwiftScout's attention. Ten years later, he found a new sniper, once again he was assisting a trigger puller and calling wind.
“Stand by bro…” I replied.
I darted over to SCARSSR (another Jarhead) and gave him the SitRep. He rogered up and called Jim Owens (FN, and Marine 8541) over to our huddle. Once apprised of the situation, he directed the PIG to his truck to retrieve a FN bolt gun from the cab and to “blast away, just keep a round count for the parent agency”.
We were in business.
Longrifle was guns up, Spotter was eyes on target.
I snaked a box of M118LR and presented it to the sniper to insure it was an acceptable vintage. I got a thumb up and a grin that gave me moto-chills. A feeling similar to what I think it would be like to light a smoke off the wing of a SR71 that just landed after a supersonic flight.
Now I want the reader to understand that I’m relating one of many stories that are interrelated by my mere presence and seeing it first hand. There were countless acts of courage, selflessness, servitude, love, honor, and reflection. This one story is something very near to my heart, because it personally effects me, and it greatly effected several of my closest friends from the past and present. Last weekend SwiftSniper visited me for the first time in 10 years, it was like we hadn’t missed a day. One night we stood in my kitchen over COUNTLESS beers talking about our wounded brothers. It became apparent, he had to be at that shoot.
The day of the shoot, Jules, RRTX, K Randomfactor, Smirac, SwiftScout, and myself left my cave and made the drive to the Crucible… amped for the day to come. Unbeknownst to us, a simple T-shirt greatly changed that day for many of us there. SwiftScout had worn his old S/S Plt shirt, which is the only reason we found out that that stud was a Sniper. From then on, the Corps took over and we took care of our own. To say that he did not disappoint would be insulting. He upheld the Highest standards of the Corps, focusing on the task at hand, and worked the solutions to insure that his fundamentals did not disturb his sight picture as he pressed that trigger straight to the rear.
This young Sniper, with some assistance via the “two man buddy carry”, unassed his wheelchair, and took up a rock solid prone position behind the rifle. His first action behind the gun was to check the BDC and spin the dope to zero. With the assistance of his spotter who tore open the fresh box of M118LR, he loaded the internal box magazine of the FN rifle with the use of his only finger, his trigger finger.
I leaned over to him and said “Schmidt and Bender PMII huh? Brings it back a bit, eh?”
“It sure does man…” he replied
As he status checked the bolt, I sat back and said “Aw f-it, you got this s***… this is old hack for you”
He shot me a smile from behind his Oakleys.
This stud proceeded to fire five, load five, fire five, load five, fire five, load five, and fire five then cleared the weapon. When he was finished he had, I s*** you not, shot a hole clean through a Larue target with M118LR. The only way that is possible with 7.62x51 is to stack every shot with sub moa accuracy. He did it cold, with no legs, one thumb, and only his trigger finger to press the switch.
And then…
Once the UberMedic and I got his hand positioning worked out, I dropped the bolt and flipped the switch. From then on, he painted his symphony in 5.56 and dead zombies...
He smoked through at least three relays in the carbine competition to win the Grand Prize with an EOtech equipped LWRCI M6 PDW.
This Young Stud, like every one of those killers, is the epitome of what is right with the American Warfighter. He is a living testament as to why Marine Scout Snipers are the most respected long gunners in the world.
All emotions aside, he was a relatively young sniper. He graduated Scout Sniper School last year, and was hit on his first mission by a plate charge four months ago in A’stan. What he showed us yesterday is that he is one of the greatest Snipers I have ever had the honor of meeting. And I met, served with, and drank alot of beer with a lot of f-n badass Marine Snipers including Booker, Dow, OConnor, Delaney, Healey, Leahy, Maloney, Villareal, Ramsey, Day, Johnson, Pshak, Querrin, Mawhinney... Howell's name is now carved into the granite that constitutes that list in my skull.
Semper Fi.
This weekend was such an awesome time, something that was well worth the stress and efforts taken to insure it was a success. I can only be thankful to take rank amongst so many great people who gladly threw themselves at this event. Not only that, but to be able to put our finest Warriors behind the finest weapons our country produces.
This weekend was a blast and a blow to Jihad on a day which couldn't be more fitting.
It was such an awesome feeling to stand before them, to be the one to inform them that they were standing amongst industry and private citizens, Federal Agents and Active Duty Pipe Hitters; all who were here to insure that they got any and all help they needed to get on the guns and work whatever demons they need to, out.
</span>
When I asked Aaron if he had a "stick" of his own, he had just thanked me for letting him shoot a long gun... REALLY??? like that was a decision that required fasting and introspection... I replied "dude, thanks for not embarrassing us" and slapped him on the shoulder.
Two days later, Matt and I were on different lines; I was in the vault on my cell and he was on the range, talking to George at GAP. Totally unscripted and uncoordinated assault.
That kid lit that target up! Someone asked for an update when he shoots the F-class. Well something was left out. He did shoot the F-class that day! The F-class guys came over and said many a heartfelt thanks, also informing him that those winds were the worst many had seen on Range 4 in 20 years.
It was a friggen vortex. With Matt on the Loopy glass watching flags, Aaron was zeroed out on windage and holding off/on waiting for the flags to favor the shot. Once particular shot I remember, the flags on the target line were slack.
"Send it!" Matt urged.
After a pregnant pause, I heard the sear release. In the next instant, the flag at the 600 stood out at full value L-R right as the shot broke, then it immediately dropped.
"S***...." I thought to myself.
The carriage came back up a few moments later, spotter tight at 3 oclock in the 9ring.
"...I don't know what happened. I called it center of mass...it felt clean" Aaron reflected to Matt.
"I dunno dude, the flags were still at the target line." Matt replied.
I had to tell the team what I saw. It was just one of those tough shooting days.
Aaron is a stud of the highest caliber. I can't wait to get him out and shooting again soon.
Hey fella's...
I'm the other Jarhead George mentioned in the OP. After talking to Matt earlier, I realized that I hadn't even thought to swing by here yet to see George's awesome post.
For a bit of insight, below are a few words I pecked out following the recent Warrior shoot where we met Aaron. I thought it would provide a bit of context, so you all can see better into how this all came about.
break break...
<span style="font-style: italic">Once again I sit here humbly, pecking at keys with ten serviceable digits, meagerly fumbling for words as I reflect upon what I am now witness too.
Please step into my head for a second, I hope you brought a mouthpiece and ear pro… it’s the only way I can convey, with any shred of honor and accuracy, what I beheld on the eleventh of September, two thousand ten.
One of my closest brothers from the Corps sought me out in the crowd ten feet behind the firing line. “Chad, can we get a bolt gun? We’ve got an 8541 out here…”
Now keep in mind my buddy served 18 months in our Scout Sniper Platoon, one of the last Marine PIGs to OJT and MEU(SOC) qualify to take a shot with the M40 back in the day. The entirety of his time in a S/S Platoon was as a pack mule, humping three radios and a metric fuckload of equipment with his Sniper. This new HOG spotted SwiftScout's S/S Platoon shirt and dangled his Hog’s Tooth when he got SwiftScout's attention. Ten years later, he found a new sniper, once again he was assisting a trigger puller and calling wind.
“Stand by bro…” I replied.
I darted over to SCARSSR (another Jarhead) and gave him the SitRep. He rogered up and called Jim Owens (FN, and Marine 8541) over to our huddle. Once apprised of the situation, he directed the PIG to his truck to retrieve a FN bolt gun from the cab and to “blast away, just keep a round count for the parent agency”.
We were in business.
Longrifle was guns up, Spotter was eyes on target.
I snaked a box of M118LR and presented it to the sniper to insure it was an acceptable vintage. I got a thumb up and a grin that gave me moto-chills. A feeling similar to what I think it would be like to light a smoke off the wing of a SR71 that just landed after a supersonic flight.
Now I want the reader to understand that I’m relating one of many stories that are interrelated by my mere presence and seeing it first hand. There were countless acts of courage, selflessness, servitude, love, honor, and reflection. This one story is something very near to my heart, because it personally effects me, and it greatly effected several of my closest friends from the past and present. Last weekend SwiftSniper visited me for the first time in 10 years, it was like we hadn’t missed a day. One night we stood in my kitchen over COUNTLESS beers talking about our wounded brothers. It became apparent, he had to be at that shoot.
The day of the shoot, Jules, RRTX, K Randomfactor, Smirac, SwiftScout, and myself left my cave and made the drive to the Crucible… amped for the day to come. Unbeknownst to us, a simple T-shirt greatly changed that day for many of us there. SwiftScout had worn his old S/S Plt shirt, which is the only reason we found out that that stud was a Sniper. From then on, the Corps took over and we took care of our own. To say that he did not disappoint would be insulting. He upheld the Highest standards of the Corps, focusing on the task at hand, and worked the solutions to insure that his fundamentals did not disturb his sight picture as he pressed that trigger straight to the rear.
This young Sniper, with some assistance via the “two man buddy carry”, unassed his wheelchair, and took up a rock solid prone position behind the rifle. His first action behind the gun was to check the BDC and spin the dope to zero. With the assistance of his spotter who tore open the fresh box of M118LR, he loaded the internal box magazine of the FN rifle with the use of his only finger, his trigger finger.
I leaned over to him and said “Schmidt and Bender PMII huh? Brings it back a bit, eh?”
“It sure does man…” he replied
As he status checked the bolt, I sat back and said “Aw f-it, you got this s***… this is old hack for you”
He shot me a smile from behind his Oakleys.
This stud proceeded to fire five, load five, fire five, load five, fire five, load five, and fire five then cleared the weapon. When he was finished he had, I s*** you not, shot a hole clean through a Larue target with M118LR. The only way that is possible with 7.62x51 is to stack every shot with sub moa accuracy. He did it cold, with no legs, one thumb, and only his trigger finger to press the switch.
And then…
Once the UberMedic and I got his hand positioning worked out, I dropped the bolt and flipped the switch. From then on, he painted his symphony in 5.56 and dead zombies...
He smoked through at least three relays in the carbine competition to win the Grand Prize with an EOtech equipped LWRCI M6 PDW.
This Young Stud, like every one of those killers, is the epitome of what is right with the American Warfighter. He is a living testament as to why Marine Scout Snipers are the most respected long gunners in the world.
All emotions aside, he was a relatively young sniper. He graduated Scout Sniper School last year, and was hit on his first mission by a plate charge four months ago in A’stan. What he showed us yesterday is that he is one of the greatest Snipers I have ever had the honor of meeting. And I met, served with, and drank alot of beer with a lot of f-n badass Marine Snipers including Booker, Dow, OConnor, Delaney, Healey, Leahy, Maloney, Villareal, Ramsey, Day, Johnson, Pshak, Querrin, Mawhinney... Howell's name is now carved into the granite that constitutes that list in my skull.
Semper Fi.
This weekend was such an awesome time, something that was well worth the stress and efforts taken to insure it was a success. I can only be thankful to take rank amongst so many great people who gladly threw themselves at this event. Not only that, but to be able to put our finest Warriors behind the finest weapons our country produces.
This weekend was a blast and a blow to Jihad on a day which couldn't be more fitting.
It was such an awesome feeling to stand before them, to be the one to inform them that they were standing amongst industry and private citizens, Federal Agents and Active Duty Pipe Hitters; all who were here to insure that they got any and all help they needed to get on the guns and work whatever demons they need to, out.
</span>
When I asked Aaron if he had a "stick" of his own, he had just thanked me for letting him shoot a long gun... REALLY??? like that was a decision that required fasting and introspection... I replied "dude, thanks for not embarrassing us" and slapped him on the shoulder.
Two days later, Matt and I were on different lines; I was in the vault on my cell and he was on the range, talking to George at GAP. Totally unscripted and uncoordinated assault.
That kid lit that target up! Someone asked for an update when he shoots the F-class. Well something was left out. He did shoot the F-class that day! The F-class guys came over and said many a heartfelt thanks, also informing him that those winds were the worst many had seen on Range 4 in 20 years.
It was a friggen vortex. With Matt on the Loopy glass watching flags, Aaron was zeroed out on windage and holding off/on waiting for the flags to favor the shot. Once particular shot I remember, the flags on the target line were slack.
"Send it!" Matt urged.
After a pregnant pause, I heard the sear release. In the next instant, the flag at the 600 stood out at full value L-R right as the shot broke, then it immediately dropped.
"S***...." I thought to myself.
The carriage came back up a few moments later, spotter tight at 3 oclock in the 9ring.
"...I don't know what happened. I called it center of mass...it felt clean" Aaron reflected to Matt.
"I dunno dude, the flags were still at the target line." Matt replied.
I had to tell the team what I saw. It was just one of those tough shooting days.
Aaron is a stud of the highest caliber. I can't wait to get him out and shooting again soon.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
this is a great story, with everybody pitching in for a true warfighter, very touching, and outstanding job to help get that soldier squared away. Aaron Howell is a real motivater
this is a great story, with everybody pitching in for a true warfighter, very touching, and outstanding job to help get that soldier squared away. Aaron Howell is a real motivater
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. God bless you Aaron Howell & everyone who helped this true Warrior.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. God bless you Aaron Howell & everyone who helped this true Warrior.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Fantastic. I was choked up. Thank you all for your <span style="text-decoration: underline">continued</span> service, and the continued support of our brothers in arms. As an ex ARMY ground pounder, I am constantly in awe of stories like this. The example you have set is exemplary.
Fantastic. I was choked up. Thank you all for your <span style="text-decoration: underline">continued</span> service, and the continued support of our brothers in arms. As an ex ARMY ground pounder, I am constantly in awe of stories like this. The example you have set is exemplary.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
For all who followed this late last year, I wanted to update you a little on Aaron.
He has a new set of legs and gets around pretty good. I had a bonfire here a few weekends ago, borebrush asked if I contacted Aaron, and with that he drove to Walter Reed and picked Aaron up. A bunch of folks ended up staying all night and Aaron was one of those guys.
He is amazing with mobility on his two new legs. Uneven terrain in the pasture where the fire was, no problem. Stairs onto the porch, no problem.
The next morning I made a big breakfast for all left from the nights events. Aaron sat at my breakfast bar having an omlette and toast using the only single finger (shooting finger) on his right hand and his left thumb, and did fantastic.
After we were done eating, I went and snagged his M40A1 out of the safe and he admired and worked the new bolt/Badge knob and had a smile from ear to ear.
We are planning a day where he can come to the house and pull the switch again, or possibly use his new status with the Quantico club.
Thanks again to all involved.
Matt
For all who followed this late last year, I wanted to update you a little on Aaron.
He has a new set of legs and gets around pretty good. I had a bonfire here a few weekends ago, borebrush asked if I contacted Aaron, and with that he drove to Walter Reed and picked Aaron up. A bunch of folks ended up staying all night and Aaron was one of those guys.
He is amazing with mobility on his two new legs. Uneven terrain in the pasture where the fire was, no problem. Stairs onto the porch, no problem.
The next morning I made a big breakfast for all left from the nights events. Aaron sat at my breakfast bar having an omlette and toast using the only single finger (shooting finger) on his right hand and his left thumb, and did fantastic.
After we were done eating, I went and snagged his M40A1 out of the safe and he admired and worked the new bolt/Badge knob and had a smile from ear to ear.
We are planning a day where he can come to the house and pull the switch again, or possibly use his new status with the Quantico club.
Thanks again to all involved.
Matt
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
My amigo would still like to host Aaron at his ranch for a hunt if he is interested.
I can put you in touch with him if Aaron or any other wounded soldier would be interested.
My amigo would still like to host Aaron at his ranch for a hunt if he is interested.
I can put you in touch with him if Aaron or any other wounded soldier would be interested.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
Awesome story, and beautiful rifle. Great thinking with the additional bolt with a knob. Great addition to an M40A1 rifle!
Awesome story, and beautiful rifle. Great thinking with the additional bolt with a knob. Great addition to an M40A1 rifle!
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: opalvom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My amigo would still like to host Aaron at his ranch for a hunt if he is interested.
I can put you in touch with him if Aaron or any other wounded soldier would be interested. </div></div>
I am in contact with your end...and I am working on getting him there. Just a matter of scheduling on Aaron's part with physical therapy and he has recently started his med paperwork to seperate from the Corps.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: opalvom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My amigo would still like to host Aaron at his ranch for a hunt if he is interested.
I can put you in touch with him if Aaron or any other wounded soldier would be interested. </div></div>
I am in contact with your end...and I am working on getting him there. Just a matter of scheduling on Aaron's part with physical therapy and he has recently started his med paperwork to seperate from the Corps.
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
OK good!! Last I heard Paul had not been contacted. Thanks
OK good!! Last I heard Paul had not been contacted. Thanks
Re: Weekend Shoot With Aaron Howell, Awsome Time!!
It must be a little dry in here or my "allergies" are acting up. Outstanding!! Any updates?
It must be a little dry in here or my "allergies" are acting up. Outstanding!! Any updates?
Great story and an incredible person.
I had the pleasure of meeting Aaron this past Saturday for a LR match that I RO'd. He's a hell of a good guy and a great shooter. His GAP Crusader preformed too.
Panoramic photo below of all the stages. Aaron on the left getting ready for Stage 1.
I had the pleasure of meeting Aaron this past Saturday for a LR match that I RO'd. He's a hell of a good guy and a great shooter. His GAP Crusader preformed too.
Panoramic photo below of all the stages. Aaron on the left getting ready for Stage 1.
