First Shot Ceremony at Camp Perry set for July 10
PORT CLINTON – The Civilian Marksmanship Program will hold the 2023 First Shot Ceremony on July 10, on the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility’s Memorial Plaza, in front of Rodriguez Range.
Seating is open to everyone prior to 4 p.m., when aircraft flyovers and pyrotechnics commence. The ceremony's opening remarks begin at 4:30 p.m.
The First Shot Ceremony is open to the public and children are welcome to attend. The event is a welcoming celebration for guests, participants, volunteers and staff to kick off the 2023 National Matches. The ceremony kicks off a two-month-long schedule of rifle and pistol competition that has featured the best marksmen and women at Camp Perry since 1907. CMP’s Chairman and CEO, Gerald O’Keefe, will address the First Shot assembly, as one of the highlights of the day.
Explosions to be fired during ceremony
Scheduled activities also include a flyover from a World War II B-25 bomber, "Georgie’s Gal," courtesy of Port Clinton’s Liberty Aviation Museum. The aircraft will make passes above the grandstands before the start of the festivities, followed in formation by a WWII Navy TBM Avenger fighter-bomber.
Pyrotechnic displays, provided by cannonmaster Bob Gillmor of Old Fort, will simulate explosions on the ranges below as the aircraft pass prior to opening remarks. People who are sensitive to loud noises are encouraged to bring hearing protection.
The 2023 First Shot speaker will be U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Green, who will fire the traditional first shot downrange to officially open the National Matches. SFC Green will use Gary Anderson’s M70 bolt-action rifle used to set the 200-yard standing record match in the 1971 National Matches. Anderson is Director of Civilian Marksmanship, Emeritus, and is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and international marksmanship champion. Anderson fired the same rifle to kick off the 2014 First Shot Ceremony.
This year’s color guard will be provided by the Zion-Benton High School Junior ROTC marksmanship team from Zion, Illinois, supported by Ohio National Guard troops. The junior team will be directed by team coach Master Chief Dan Hackstein. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Ohio National Guard’s 122nd Army Band. Static military vehicle displays will also be available for viewing on the grounds, presented by Firelands Military Vehicle Club, as well as free antique car rides provided by the Timeless T’s Model T motor vehicle club of Erie County.
Visitors may tour competition center
Ample parking is available near the grandstands. While on the grounds of Camp Perry, visitors are encouraged to check out Petrarca Range and the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, only a short walk away from the ceremony site. Petrarca Range features outdoor electronically scored rifle targets, while the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center features an indoor air gun facility and authentic Olympic memorabilia from the career of celebrated marksman, Gary Anderson. Both are open for marksmanship practice to the public weekly, all year long.
For more information about the National Matches, visit thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches.
About Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Green
SFC Green is widely known as one of the best shots of the modern era, garnering a celebrated and illustrious marksmanship career as an individual and as a team member. During his 20-year tenure with the Army Marksmanship Unit, he has been an integral part of multiple record-setting teams and has been the lead instructor of the unit’s marksmanship training courses, including the Small Arms Firing School held at the National Matches each year.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: WWII aircraft flyover, vehicle rides to open CMP's 2023 First Shot Ceremony
