Grandpa's Buttons Are Popping

The fine-looking young man you see pictured here, in the latest edition of the National Rifle Association's great America's 1st Freedom magazine, is my 16-year-old grandson, Kevin Aliff. As you can see, Kevin is pictured at H&H Gun Range in Oklahoma City with an air rifle and appropriate gear. Kevin aspires to be a member of the 2008 United States Olympic Shooting Team and, as author Gary Lantz notes in the article that accompanies the photo, Kevin is a young man "who shows uncanny ability." He does that, and more. Kevin's mom and dad are staunch defenders of the 2nd Amendment and are regular shooters themselves. Kevin joined them at an early age. What he's learned as a shooter trained by responsible adults and coaches reminds me of my Scout experiences. Kevin's learned patience, determination, self-reliance, responsibility, modesty, self-control...all of the attributes we value, especially in the young. Kevin's in serious training now and later this month, will travel to our Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to add another chapter to his pursuit. He's excited, but grandpa's the one who keeps losing the buttons off his shirt.

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