Take older folks to the range!

A

Apple a Day

New member
I took my father to the shooting range today. He is retired and hasn't been in good health for several years. After a heart attack, two knee replacements, pace maker... he is realizing that he is in his waning years and has sometimes been depressed about the whole thing. He doesn't get out nearly as much as he used to , either. Since he has a hard time playing golf (old passtime) I thought I might drag him along on a trip to the range.
I am so glad I did. I haven't seen him that focused, energetic, and happy in a long time. He didn't do badly for not having fired a handgun since his Air Force days ~35 years ago. It also made me feel good spending time with the cranky old buzzard and sort of paying him back for taking me out as a kid and teaching me to shoot with that old Peruvian Mauser 30-06 way back when. :cool:
I was also thinking of the theraputic possibilities of older folks taking up target shooting. It exercises mental focus, fine motor skills, and other good stuff. Next time you have a family day at the range, make sure you invite the older generation!

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Those who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules.Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
 
Apple a Day - Good for you! I took my Dad (now 71) out to the range this last Fathers Day. He's in pretty good shape, but had a 65% cataract in his right eye. It didn't stop him from shooting some very tight 50 yard groups with my Garand.

Our next range trip will be in a month or so. He had the cataract removed as well as having a lens implant to correct his myopia. Now he's chomping at the bit to get to the hundred yard range. :) This from the man who tried to describe to me what it was like to shoot at 1,000 yards. (Former USMC)

You're right about the theraputic effect. He had a real gleam in his eye after that last session. :)

Cliff
 
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