Today didn’t go quite as planned but...

[groupw]

I had to work yesterday and we went to see a band some friends play in last night. My intention today was to watch Monaco and Indy then go to my dad’s shooting club because they were honoring him with a memorial today. 

Mom called last night and said they were moving the memorial ceremony to Noon so some people who had traveled from out of state could get on the road before expected storms hit. CRAP! That meant I had to shower quick right after Monaco and hope Indy was rain delayed. It’s about an hour and a half drive to the shooting range. 

We got there and a couple family friends were there I did not expect. Ok. Things got a little better. Quick backstory- my parents really enjoyed metal silhouette target shooting. Dad was state director of the organization for many years. After they retired, they went to the Internationals in Ft Stockton, TX for several years. They befriended some Brazilian competitors and traveled to Brazil 3 or 4 times. From records we can find, my parents were the first North Americans to compete in Silhouette shoots in Brazil!  

He competed until his health made him too weak. After that, he would still shoot mostly to hang around and BS with their friends. Mom decided she couldn’t think of a better place to spread his ashes. 

The club director took Mom and I to the top of the range backstop. There was a young pine tree up there. Jim felt that would be a place where Dad could watch over the group!  I joked that if any one shot the ashes, they would know they shot too high!  He didn’t quite get it..

Mom asked me to spread the ashes around the tree. After I did, Jim placed a small American flag. When we drove down, anyone that had purchased or been given one of Dad’s pistols was invited to join in a 3-shot salute. Jim let me fire a .45 he had bought from Dad. We had lunch and spent some time at the club. Many shared stories with me of how Dad had touched their lives. The day didn’t go quite as planned, but I wouldn’t have changed anything. 

[Randomguy]

Damn, that is a nice story a tribute!  It sounds like the exact right way to go about things, and a great idea in the three-shot salute!  

[Airehead]

What a beautiful tribute. So meaningful. I bet your dad touched many lives and no one ever got shot on his watch.   Silhouette shooting is hard. Looks easy but isn’t. Sounds like it led to many great adventures for both of your parents.