This morning I attended the funeral of a fellow shooter John McMillan, John left his wife and two daughters at the early age of 49. His death was sudden and stunning. At the funeral I meet a fellow shooter who I haven’t seen too much lately, (after legging out he pretty much stopped shooting) we were telling stories of John and remembering some of the funny things…remember the Leg match up in Vermont…”While in prep, John turned to me and asked how do you close the bolt in this thing” the fellow shooter said..We started to laugh. John had never shoot an AR-15, let alone a Leg match; he was there for the weekend. John had shot the state championship and leg match was the next day…might as well help out he’d say with a laugh. This “fellow shooter” went on to say John was his mentor, he got me into shooting he was a good friend. John was a bolt gun guy and really, not what I would call a “notable shooter”…he was a casual shooter. John shot mostly the small bore league and Sunday morning offhand matches during the winter. In the last couple of years he struggled with eye issues, forcing him to shoot with his left eye (he made an offset sight mount). John was an accomplished machinist and was quick to lend a hand to fellow shooters making a mount or looking at a barrel….always ready to help out, especially a junior whom he would never take any money from.
I went to the casket to pay my respects and noted John’s gun club hat and several other personal items with him, I then notice a Distinguished Rifleman’s Badge on his jacket. Almost in the same thought I said to myself John wasn’t distinguished…then…I realized that someone had left his badge for John. Yes, this “fellow shooter” had left his Distinguished Badge for his Mentor. I have witnessed several shooters get their “pins” and have been honored to pass my “pin” to a few myself. Johns “pining “was in private, I’m sure, he would have said “no I didn’t earn it”. But I know John is proud to wear Badge 1839.
I went to the casket to pay my respects and noted John’s gun club hat and several other personal items with him, I then notice a Distinguished Rifleman’s Badge on his jacket. Almost in the same thought I said to myself John wasn’t distinguished…then…I realized that someone had left his badge for John. Yes, this “fellow shooter” had left his Distinguished Badge for his Mentor. I have witnessed several shooters get their “pins” and have been honored to pass my “pin” to a few myself. Johns “pining “was in private, I’m sure, he would have said “no I didn’t earn it”. But I know John is proud to wear Badge 1839.
