Sagola Township Sportsmens Club youth program shows their respect to veterans

Pictured are, from left, Alexander Erickson (STSC Youth Club President), Thomas Taff (NRA Instructor) and Bo Glasheen (Youth Club Vice President).  In front of them are some of the many M1 Garand Rifles they cleaned.  (submitted photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS – Recently the Sagola Township Sportsmens Club Youth Program (AKA Big Shooters Club) held a special “clean-up day” for the American Legion Post 50. 
American Legion Post 50 Color Guard presents the colors for local parades, sporting events and veteran funerals. Many of these events are held in the rain or snow. The M1 Garand rifles used are rarely ever cleaned before storing them for the next event. Some of the rifles have even started to malfunction when performing rifle salutes for fallen veterans. 
Youth members of the Sagola Township Sportsmens Club Rifle Team collected the rifles, disassembled, clean and lubricated, reassembled and then function checked each rifle. All work was performed under the watchful eye of certified adult instructors. 
“We wanted to make sure that proper respect was paid to our veterans and to the flag when these rifles are used at events.
“A misfiring rifle is disheartening to those in attendance and does not represent the state of readiness that our military maintains,” states Alexander Erickson, President of the Youth Rifle Team.
The Youth Shooting Program meets the first Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Sagola Township Sportsmens Club.
For more information on joining the Sagola Township Sportsmens Club Youth Shooting Program please contact Tony Erickson at 906-396-1119.