2024 Legion Memorial Run N Gun: August 31 - Sept 1, Dead Zero Shooting Park, Spencer, TN

[Matt in TN]

One stage this year will honor Medal Of Honor Recipient MA2 Michael Monsoor.  Even though Mike was a SEAL, he was part of SOTF-W (the battalion level command), under CJSOTF-AP (the Group level command) which was run by 5th SFG leadership when he was killed. Because he fell under 5th SFG Command when he was killed we honor him.

There's a great Jocko podcast with Mike's father George you should listen to here: 

and his father George also wrote a book about his son's life that's definitely worth the read: Amazon.com: Defend Us in Battle: The True Story of MA2 Navy SEAL Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor: 9780785290599: Monsoor, George, Rea, Rose M.: Books

https://imgur.com/x12RUnV

 

Edited August 13 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

I am thrilled to announce that not only is FN America signed on as a sponsor and making a generous donation to SFA for the match, but they are also sending two competitors to run with us.  

AND A MK48 MACHINEGUN AND A TECH TO KEEP IT RUNNING ALL WEEKEND!!!!  This will be a stage gun on a 10k Stage - fittingly the stage honoring MA2 Michael Monsoor, who carried a Mk48 as his primary overseas.  Every 10k competitor will get a 10rd belt of ammo to start the stage with, and then they'll have to shoot the rest of the stage with a 308 beltfed sized grin on their face.

What do you get for running twice as far and paying more for the 10k?  MOAR!!!!

https://fnamerica.com/ 

 

[Matt in TN]

I am excited to share that Dead Zero Shooting Park has generously donated and built a hot shower setup for campers and competitors this year, one of our members has secured a water buffalo to feed it, and another volunteer is bringing a decon trailer with a shower as well.  The main target for these is for the SF guys to have a quick wash after their run before they start playing with their families - so please keep your showers quick and give them priority if you see them coming.  However, there should be plenty of water and propane for other to use them too as long as we don't abuse it.

There is no charge for showers, but if you want to make an extra donation to SFA to offset the cost of this benefit and increase our donation it would be most appreciated! 

 

[Matt in TN]

If Mother Nature will cooperate (meaning no surprise monsoons), the land nav skills test for this year will be a simple terrain-following exercise.  A portion of the course will not be marked at all, and you will find a sign signaling the start of the exercise that says "Follow the river for 0.8 miles until you see the red tape."

I don't care if you walk down the bank, wade down the middle of the river, or switch banks 100 times because the other bank "looks easier."  You analyze the terrain on the fly and find the best path through.  Do NOT lose sight of the river at any time, or you risk getting lost and/or missing the exit point.  Watch closely for that red tape that marks the stop point, and you'll see signs and yellow tape guiding you back on the marked path after that. 

[Matt in TN]

I am thrilled (and again, not surprised) to share that Samson Manufacturing has come back again for the eighth year in a row as a sponsor.  Not only that, but this match likely would never have started without the advice, help, and caring of Bryan Ray and Brian Vaught.  Not only did they welcome me at my first major 3-gun match at Rockcastle, but as I got to know them better and shared this crazy idea of Run N Gun they walked me through how to make it a reality, introduced me to all the people I needed to know to make it happen, and helped me understand how to make it a win-win-win situation for everyone instead of just showing up asking for favors.  For these reasons alone, I will always buy Samson first if they make whatever I'm looking for.

But they make some pretty cool stuff too!  Check them out at  https://www.samson-mfg.com/

 

[Matt in TN]

Pete Jones with Alan's Arsenal LLC is hosting a "SHOOT FOR GOLD" side match onsite.  For $20 you can enter to do a target shooting course with a provided air pistol.  The prize will be either a cerokoted gold S&W M&P or a gold Aero rifle - not sure yet if "winning" will be based off the highest score, a random draw, or whoever looks as cool as this guy.  That will 100% be up to Pete to decide! 

 

[Matt in TN]

I am excited to welcome back Jeremy Swofford of Red's Dinner Bell with his food truck to feed all the hungry competitors again this year.  See his menu below for the regular stuff, and there is a very good chance he'll be doing another fundraising dinner at least one night there - more details to come! 

https://imgur.com/Vu2twvz

[dubya]

I wish we could do these more than annually

[Wheelgunner]

Colossal thank you to Matt, Jay, and the ROs and volunteers who came in from more than 20 states to pitch in.  Today was (as usual for Legion) an amazing match.  And getting to carry SGT Brian Buker's dogtag on the course was an honor.  You can read his Medal of Honor citation at cmohs.org.

TGO folks, if you've never been to this event, you're missing an absolute blast of a time.

[Matt in TN]

Scores are up!

 

5k: https://www.practiscore.com/results/html/71779139-eeb3-41f4-b02d-50ed8e4e6b43

10k: https://www.practiscore.com/results/html/7bbf6852-a5ad-4716-98f5-0fbaa508e274

 

Pictures usually take a week to process and publish.  Video is coming too in hopefully the same time.  Final accounting and the announced net donation will be announced as soon as all the numbers are confirmed.  Thank you so much for helping to make this happen for the eighth year in a row!

[Matt in TN]

We've had SEVERAL people ask about buying extra match shirts - but we only printed a single shirt for every competitor, so there are no extras.

HOWEVER:  Pete Jones with Alan's Arsenal LLC printed up a ton of shirts specially for the match with the Twin Towers on one sleeve and the 5th Group V on the other - in many different colors and sizes (both men's and women's).  You can buy them directly on his website, shipping is free, and 100% of the proceeds goes to SFA.

So while you can't get extra "official" match shirts, you can still get a very cool match-related shirt, support SFA, and support a title sponsor.  You might as well check out the rest of his website while you're there and order some gun parts too.  Win - win - win.  Order now at  Apparel, Stickers and Patches (3dcartstores.com) 

 

[Matt in TN]

This years official match video is up!  It's impossible to fit 3 days of this mental, physical, and dare I say spiritual experience into a 6 minute promotional video, but hopefully this gives JUST A TASTE of what it was like to be there.

Share it with your family and friends to show them a small glimpse of what you did last weekend.  Share it to give the sponsors some additional love and attention.  But most importantly, share it to help remember the ten people we honored this year.

Continue to say their names out loud and speak their stories any chance you get.

https://youtu.be/ZCWe5V9F4Dk?si=8efUYkYFfU52mZ65

[Matt in TN]

Our two photographers (Lisa and Jimmy) did a great job of splitting up on the course to get as many people as possible - so if you don't see yourself in Lisa's pics, there's a good chance you're in Jimmy's.  As always, feel free to use the pictures however you like, but please credit the photographer if you do.  Commercial use must get permission first.  Links are below:

Lisa's Pictures:

Friday (Staff/VIP Day):  https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320185819

Saturday (5k):  https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320201458

Sunday (10k):  https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320235909/

 

Jimmy's Pictures:

Saturday (5k):  https://www.flickr.com/photos/run-n-gun-nation/albums/72177720320212031/

Sunday (10k):  https://www.flickr.com/photos/run-n-gun-nation/albums/72177720320228608/ 

Edited September 11 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

I am honored to share that Trevor, Jay, and I presented a check for $39,424.40 to the Special Forces Association, Chpt 38 tonight at their 63rd annual Reunion Dinner, where we spoke to a group of around 200 current and former 5SFG soldiers, including 7 original MACV-SOG members and the Unit Command team.

THANK YOU for helping to make this happen for eight straight years and more than $150,000.00 donated in total.

 

[FBATFE]

My membership lapsed so I can’t send a PM but are you planning on doing another own the night event at dead zero?