Tax BLAST 2002

The noise is thunderous, enough to certainly cause serious injury to unprotected ears. The flash is impressive, as if there were fireworks on the range. The recoil rocks back into your shoulder with authority, not enough to hurt, but enough to let you know that you are into some heavy duty shooting. The tracer seems to take its sweet time roaring downrange- a streak of light that will reduce to absolute ruin whatever sorrowful thing happens to lay in its path. But what leaves you stunned and breathless is the force, the concussion, the sheer BLAST as a big .50 cal asserts its undisputed claim to the throne of all rifledom....

Saturday, April 13th, 2002 was a day that witnessed such an impressive display, as between sixty and sixty-five people came to Camp Stasa to enjoy the annual Tax Blast.

Those who stayed away because of the threat of rain only need this tidbit of information: We forgot the sun block, and several of us got burned.

The first thing that most visitors encountered was the sharp and professional security detail from MMCW Macomb County. One guest even commented that he thought perhaps the National Guard was there when he saw how squared away the gate guard and security team looked. Of course, this was not the case, as National Guard does not ever look that good. This simply has to be the sharpest looking militia unit anywhere.

The first event was, of course, the 1040 shoot. Folks lined up to fling rounds at the least-favorite form with absolute glee. This year, however, there was a target that seemed to attract greater vengeance than the tax forms: Osama bin Laden. Interspersed throughout the 1040 forms
were pictures of this most-hated, pork chop grubbing terrorist. One look at the remains of the backstop after the event gives you an idea of where these targets were located.

Here was a chance to see, and shoot, weapons of all types. People were more than friendly enough to let each other shoot different weapons.

I myself shot a few new guns, and had fun doing so. I was really impressed with Dave's P32, and his Bennelli shotgun. We had plenty of newer shooters, including an exchange student from Germany, Tobias, who seemed to enjoy himself. There were also several lady shooters, and several other young shooters. This is always good to see. Everyone came away from this event with considerably less stress (and less ammunition) than they started with.

We then went on to the pin shoot, which was also a good time. The
bowling pins all were decorated with stickers of, you guessed it, Mr. bin
Laden himself. (The temptation is to refer to the targets as Osama "PIN" Laden...ha ha ha....I really can slay myself sometimes....) We timed the first round, and the fastest nine shooters moved on to the elimination rounds. I did not expect to do well, with a new pistol, but I was happy with my score. (No, I did not advance, but I did clear the pins in less than sixty seconds.) Gerry R got both the fastest time, and he ended up winning the event as well. His prize was a Hungarian M44, donated by Walter S) Cabbage Dude and Frank L came in second and third respectively. In the second round, Rude Guy #1 almost shot faster than Gerry, and he faced a very, very tight race against the Cabbage Dude in the final round.

   

Having watched these events for a few years now, I can attest to the improvement of several people's skills. Guys who did not want to even enter last year or two years ago, are now challenging for the top spot or two. With some practice, we will all get better. Gerry. in a display of true militia sportsmanship, has offered to help people shoot better, so somebody else can take home the rifle next time...

After this a lot of folks chilled out and had some burgers back at the
Hundred Yard Lounge This was the ever-so-appropriate name given to the dining area by Lou. who printed up the Osama targets and the stickers for the bowling pins, and damn near everything else on the table. Frank's mom handled the burger and dog duty with skill and dedication.

Whilst the range was being prepared for the invoked devastation of Mr.
Becker's .50 Cal (that would make a great name for a band...), we got to spend some time giving out some pointers, and chatting with folks from around the state. A lot of people seemed to say that the Tax Blast, and indeed, us Michigan Militia people, were not what they thought it would be. Hey, folks, get rid of the misconceptions, we really ARE a cool bunch
of folks.

After dinner, the fifty began to heap misery upon those helpless steel plates which had the misfortune of being down range. Everyone loved this, and more than a few took a shot with it. Big thanks to Mr. Becker for showing up with it. He should get a commission from Barrett when I
buy one. This is serious business, my friends, and you should all seek out the means of enjoying such a thing.

After this fun (and that is SUCH an understatement), the range got set up for the night shoot. Yes, there really is no limit to the fun at these events. Big thanks to Lance H from the North Dock for letting us use his fog machine and strobe light. To this, we added chemlights, flares,
additional smoke from smoke grenades, and fluorescent paint. Couple this with tracers and laser sights, and there was much glee to be felt in militiaville this evening. This mostly consisted of laying waste to bowling pins and chemlights in a somewhat psychedelic environment. To
make sure that the range was safe, I personally checked each person's hands, to make sure that all weapons were cleared, slung and/or holstered. All that we were missing was some Jimi Hendrix music....

But wait, before you wallow in self-hatred for not having been there, there was MORE....Mr. Becker was still on hand to shoot some tracers with his .50. (He has a nice .45 longslide, too...) The scope on that rifle was some kind of absolutely cool illuminated reticle glass, with red
cross hairs, and a nice, clear image of whatever you dispatch to the nether realm. (This was SO kick-ass, as the flares and fog machine and strobe light were still going...) The .50 tracers kicked in almost right out of the barrel, and they rocked.

At least ten people stayed overnight Saturday, and the weather was so perfect, both during the day, and overnight.  The following day, these die hard guys got up and shot some more, and
Frank cooked up some sausage and eggs, and the Rude Guy had some coffee. Charlie X even was hitting the target at about 80 yards with his .22 pistol.

Thanks to everyone who participated, especially the staff people who were range officers, and general question and answer people. Huge thanks to LTC Wilks and his MMCW Macomb County (you can not, will not find a sharper group of militia guys, anywhere, ever), Frank Stasa, Gerry (how about a .303 next year?), Walter and Sherry, (thanks for the rifle), Frank L.'s mom, Frank L. (thanks for the grub, bub), Lou (the badges and handouts looked great, and the peeps showed, too), and Mike F. for handling things, the Rude Guy #1, Gerry, and Charlie X. for being range guys a lot. Mike Paige from Oakland county. Dave for bringing his Bennelli and his buds, the guys from "out west" and the folks from Eaton County, Tobias and Will, everybody who brought his kid/wife/girlfriend. All the FSA people, Lance from work for the cool stuff. Tom H. from Macomb for driving the shuttle. Everybody, everybody, everybody, thanks.


And everybody who came and handled themselves in a friendly and most importantly, SAFE manner.

Yep, next year, Saturday before Tax Day. Plan on it now.

-Lee