Public welcome to witness CMP's National Matches First Shot Ceremonty

News-Messenger/News Herald
·2 min read
Each year, the National Matches begin with a ceremonial first shot on the Camp Perry grounds.
Each year, the National Matches begin with a ceremonial first shot on the Camp Perry grounds.

PORT CLINTON — The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) First Shot Ceremony is set to take place July 12 at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility.

The ceremony serves as a welcoming event for guests, participants, volunteers and staff eager to start the National Matches — an event that has assembled marksmen and women at Camp Perry since 1907.

The first CMP National Matches of the 2022 season will fire July 12, beginning with the pistol series, and will conclude Aug. 12, following CMP’s lineup of long range rifle matches.

Whether an experienced competitor or new to the sport, the National Matches calendar includes several highpower rifle, smallbore rifle and air gun competitions and clinics scheduled throughout – ready to accommodate the thousands of visitors expected to participate in the annual event.

The First Shot Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Camp Perry’s Rodriguez Range. Spectator seating will be set up alongside the range, with additional bleachers placed diagonally in front of the Lawrence Road Shooters’ Plaza – where the ceremony will take place. Roads will be blocked immediately surrounding the Plaza, with ample parking available around Camp Perry.

Sights and sounds at the First Shot Ceremony will include an authentic B-25 bomber, Georgie’s Gal, courtesy of Port Clinton’s Liberty Aviation Museum. The fascinating aircraft will make passes prior to the start of the festivities at approximately 9:45-10:00 a.m. as distinguished speakers and military guests fill the Plaza below.

Firing the ceremonial First Shot (or, First Shots, in this case) will be CMP’s board treasurer, Jon Bengston, and CMP’s secretary, Harry Sieben. Bengston will use a 1903 Springfield rifle as Sieben will fire a M1 Garand rifle.

While on the grounds of Camp Perry, visitors are encouraged to check out Petrarca Range, located next to the Plaza, and the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center. Petrarca Range contains an outdoor line of CMP’s electronic 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 to the public weekly.

For more information about the National Matches, visit https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Public welcome to witness CMP's National Matches First Shot Ceremonty