NRA President John Sigler fires the First Shot to Officially Open the 2008 National Matches.

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Under a warm and cloudy sky on the western shore of Lake Erie, several hundred onlookers, including competitive shooters, officials and guests watched as keynote speaker John C. Sigler, president of the NRA, fired the ceremonial first shot to open the 2008 National Rifle & Pistol Trophy Matches during the traditional First Shot Ceremony on Monday, 7 July.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), in cooperation with the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Ohio National Guard, sponsors the National Matches at Camp Perry each year where more than 6,000 competitors from across the U.S. will shoot for recognition as America’s finest in pistol and rifle competition. The matches also attract hundreds of new shooters who participate in special clinics and CMP Games matches. The National Matches conclude on 12 August after the highpower rifle competitions.

The 2008 First Shot Ceremony featured remarks by the First Shot Speaker, NRA President John Sigler, and brief comments by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, and two northwest Ohio U.S. Congress members - Marcy Kaptur (Ohio Ninth District) and veteran sportsman and shooter Bob Latta (Ohio Fifth District). The 80 members of the 122nd Ohio Army National Guard Band provided musical accompaniment.

An American Flag, originally flown over the U.S. Capitol and provided by Congresswoman Kaptur, was flown in by parachutists from the Ohio National Guard’s 19th Special Forces via Chinook helicopter and was raised on Camp Perry’s flagpole to the playing of the National Anthem by the Lorain Admiral King High School Navy JROTC color guard.

CMP Director and master of ceremonies, Gary Anderson, provided a brief history of the National Matches at Camp Perry as he welcomed those assembled and introduced distinguished guests and speakers following an invocation by Ohio National Guard State Chaplain (Col.) Genzman.

Speaker Sigler, a US Navy veteran, pistol competitor and match official for 11 National Matches, said it was an honor and privilege to be this year’s First Shot Speaker.

“I always love coming back to Camp Perry,” Mr. Sigler said. “It’s especially true this year as we kick off the first year of the second century of competition on these hallowed grounds on the shores of Lake Erie.”

“Camp Perry is a very special place. A place where men and women have gathered for over a century to exercise their God-given right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes – and to test their mettle in the crucible of competition and to learn who really is the very best,” he said.

“It’s a place dedicated to American freedom, and of sacrifices made by generations of American patriots to protect and defend those freedoms. Where even the ranges are named for the heroic sons of the State of Ohio who gave their best in defense of their country.”

“It’s a place where the heart and soul of American culture gathers each summer to renew old friendships, to honor a great American tradition. This place and our place in it are uniquely American, and uniquely important.”

Mr. Sigler talked about the crucial cooperation between the NRA, CMP and Ohio National Guard to sustain and help the National Matches flourish.

“These National Matches serve as an inspiration and a destination for finest marksmen and women in the world.”

Mr. Sigler reflected on his days of coming to Camp Perry for more than 30 years. First in a police instructor school and as a line referee during pistol phase for more than a decade. He also said he served as Chief Referee for the NRA’s national police shooting championships.

“But I’m proud to say that I had the privilege of competing out there among you both here and elsewhere in a number of disciplines.”

He talked about his Navy days where his Master Chief, a lifetime NRA member, encouraged him to join and pursue competitive shooting.

“The sport that brought me to the NRA and that we gather here to celebrate today is vitally important to firearm freedom and American freedom in all of its forms.”

Mr. Sigler called attention to the upcoming elections and stressed the importance of “exercising the right.”

“A right that isn’t exercised is a right that ceases to exist. It’s true that if you don’t use it, you do lose it,” he added.

“Freedom can atrophy through apathy and disuse. So it’s critically important to the right to keep and bear arms that people exercise that right and have a personal stake in protecting that right.”

“I can think of no better illustration of that fact than these National Matches,” Mr. Sigler said. He discussed his decision to establish increased funding for NRA competitive shooting programs that he sees vital to the NRA and the country.

"I directed the establishment of a new NRA competitive shooting and national championships endowment. I’m proud to report that the endowment is well on its way to the $2 million mark.”

Speaker Sigler related that marksmanship competition is unique in that it is the “only sport that strengthens our national security.”

“Think about it, what other sport, from baseball to basketball to track and field, gymnastics or fencing. Which sport is built upon and bolsters a constitutional right?”

“There is no other sport that can make that claim. Marksmanship skill, a sense of accomplishment and confidence, self-reliance, self-discipline, respect for others, individual responsibility, individual empowerment – they’re all part of competitive shooting. They’re all vital to the health of any society or any nation.”

“As you walk on these ranges, remember the sacrifices of those for whom they’re named. Sacrifices made on your behalf so that you can enjoy the right to participate in a free and democratic society,” he said.

“On behalf of the National Rifle Association of America and in honor of a proud heritage and vital tradition, I now extend to you my wishes for good luck and good shooting during these 2008 National Matches.”

Earlier, Governor Strickland, a staunch supporter of responsible firearms ownership, opened the remarks with a rousing welcome to shooters.

“I would like to say to all the shooters, whether you’ve come here to win a national title or just to have a chance to compete with the very best, we wish each of you the very best and good luck,” he declared.

The Matches, he said, “are considered the World Series of shooting events.”

He concluded his remarks by calling out the value of Second Amendment guarantees and vowed to uphold them.

“I want to pledge to all of you that are here that as long as I am in office, Ohio will be a state where the Second Amendment is honored and where the rights of the people are protected.”

Congresswoman Kaptur, a member of the U.S. Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, echoed Governor Strickland’s welcome to shooters and reminded shooters that they have a solemn responsibility to respect their weapons.

“When we think of the famous words, ‘the price of liberty is eternal vigilance,’ those of you who will compete this week represent that.”

“Respect the weapon, but also an understanding of what responsibility the using of that weapon means,” she said. “It is a deep, deep tradition of the U.S. military and one that we try to transfer to our civilians.”

Congressman Bob Latta, a long-time shooter at Camp Perry, lauded the partnership of the CMP, NRA and Ohio National Guard and its volunteers for keeping Camp Perry active.

“I love this place. I thoroughly respect what it stands for and I also respect the competitors here every year. It’s a great and proud tradition,” he said.

Congressman Latta concluded by thanking the volunteers. He vowed that the success of Camp Perry and the National Matches are one of the things he’ll work hard to keep on track.

At the close of ceremonies, Mr. Sigler fired the ceremonial first shot with a specially engraved Bushmaster 5.56mm AR15 rifle. The rifle, donated by Bushmaster Firearms Inc., bears Mr. Sigler’s name and logo engravings of the CMP, NRA, Adjutant General’s Department of Ohio and Bushmaster Firearms Inc.,logos.

The rifle was presented as a gift to Mr. Sigler by CMP Director Anderson who closed the program and was followed by a benediction by Chaplain (Col.) Genzman.

Pictures from the First Shot Ceremony can be viewed at http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/08/FirstShot/index.htm.

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