Last week, on 12/8/23, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) hosted the Alabama Army National Guard (ALARNG) Best Warrior Mystery Event at the Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. This was the final event in a week-long competition.

A total of 14 competitors had the opportunity to fire the M1 Garand Rifle in this mystery/surprise event. Each competitor received basic instruction and a safety briefing before shooting the CMP Garand Match course of fire: 35 rounds at 200 yards on Talladega’s electronic targets. Only one of the 14 competitors had previously fired an M1 Garand. The CMP provided all rifles and ammunition for the competition.

At the conclusion of the Garand Match course of fire, the Best Warrior awards ceremony was held on the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park clubhouse patio stage, where each competitor was given CMP challenge coins, ALARNG challenge coins, and overall ranking awards for the week. The CMP was honored to host this event and looks forward to increased partnership with the ALARNG. ALARNG leadership present included the Adjutant General of Alabama, Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon, and Command Sgt. Maj. Elmore.

About the Talladega Marksmanship Park
Talladega Marksmanship Park is one of the USA’s top shooting centers. The 500-acre facility boasts advanced electronic targets with scoring monitors at the firing lines. Talladega hosts rifle, pistol, and shotgun events through out the year. Talladega’s Unknown Distance Range at also allows guests to practice their skills with over 100 steel targets, placed out to 625 yards. Talladega also has a 20-lane, life-size 3D target Archery Range.

The public is welcome all year long, to test out their firearms or to simply explore the grounds. Off the firing line, the Club House holds a fully stocked Pro Shop with rifles, ammunition, marksmanship accessories and CMP memorabilia. CLICK HERE to learn more about Talladega Marksmanship Park.

In the Beginning — Overcoming Great Odds
In a July 4th speech, Navy Lt. Ellen Connors wrote: “Our nation declared its independence in order for our families to live free –- not just for one generation but for future generations. And what odds [the founding fathers] faced. It must have seemed impossible. Our forefathers went up against the world’s most colossal empire since ancient Rome. No colony had ever successfully left a mother country to set up a self-governing state.”

The National Guard, Heritage Paintings Collection. Battle of Long Island by Domenick D’Andrea.

The Price of Freedom… The Pride of A Nation
Here is a selection from Daniel Webster’s July 4th, 1851 Oration. His words ring true even now:

On the 4th of July, 1776, the assembled Representatives of the United States of America in Congress declared that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE and INDEPENDENT States. This Declaration, made by most patriotic and resolute men, trusting in the justice of their cause and the protection of Heaven, and yet made not without deep solicitude and anxeity, has now stood for seventy-five years, and still stands. It was sealed in blood. It has met dangers, and overcome them; it has had enemies, and conquered them; it has had detractors, and abashed them all….

Every mans’ heart swells within him… as he remembers that seventy-five years have rolled away, and that the great inheritance of liberty is still his — his, undiminished and unimpaired, his in all its original glory; his to enjoy; his to protect; and his to transmit to future generations.