by John Jefferson

It forever changed the life of a little five- year – old boy living near Arcadia, Texas, between Houston and Galveston. He didn’t understand but detected concern in his mother when she was surprisingly required to produce identification by the corporal who usually just waived her through the gate to Camp Wallace to pick up her husband, stationed there. She commented on that, and the corporal politely replied, “Yes ma’am, but now we are at war.” That was the first she knew of it.

The world was in a state of anxiety. A maniac named Adolph Hitler was gobbling up European countries and making unthinkable plans for Jewish people. The Japanese were establishing military bases on strategic islands in the Pacific. The Italians were jubilantly siding with the two other aggressors. As the lady soon learned, the Japanese had bombed the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor.

Last week marked the eighty-third anniversary of the attack. A high-ranking Japanese officer, Admiral Yamamoto, is said to have opposed the attack. He was quoted as saying, “I’m afraid we have awakened a sleeping giant.” Another legendary Yamamoto quote also opposed Japan invading America and commented (paraphrased), “There’s a man with a rifle behind every tree, there!” (This alleged Yamamoto quote is unsubstantiated.)

But the U.S. did become known as a “Nation of Riflemen.” It began early in American history as men with rifles provided wild game for their family and protected their homes from bears and hostile natives. General George Washington’s Revolutionary Army was comprised of these men. Other wars were also waged by many Americans who knew how to shoot before they put on the country’s uniform — men like Audie Murphy, Billy Sandifer, the army officer mentioned in the first paragraph above, and millions of others.

America is still like that although many ignore the value of a citizenry that has helped maintain the nation’s values critics have enjoyed.

There are many groups that offer valuable training for those wanting to learn to shoot.

Two that I have helped with and recommend for kids are the TPWD/Texas Wildlife Association’s Youth Hunting Program (https://tyhp.org/) and TWA’s Buckskin Brigade (210-826-2904). It’s a summer leadership camp, but it included shooting instruction when I taught there.

Another reliable source of instruction is the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Hunter Education Program (https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/hunting-for-beginners.phtml).

It includes the Hunter Safety Course required for all hunters born after September 1, 1971 — then a course entitled “Hunting 101” is offered.
Most reputable gun shops can usually refer people to firearms instructors. The Texas State Rifle Association, a National Rifle Association (NRA) affiliate, also offers instruction from highly qualified instructors. Don’t let the media’s reporting slant your opinion of the NRA. Some branded the NRA negatively with ignorant and politically motivated references hiding the high-quality instruction it offers. Most firearm accidents, including those involving children, could be avoided with proper training.

Learn from these professionals and then you, too, become one of those men “Behind every tree with a rifle.”

JJ