World War II Soldiers Honored During 2014 National Trophy Matches First Shot Ceremony

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – In recognition of the heroism many soldiers displayed 70 years ago to the day, at the Battle of Saint Lo in Normandy, France, and the Battle of Saipan in the South Pacific, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) will be bringing the sights and sounds of these great conflicts to the shores of Lake Erie at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2014. Please join us at the ranges of Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio, as we merge the great sacrifices of veterans everywhere with the friendly rivalry of marksmanship competition.

Scheduled to appear, weather permitting, will be a WWII B-25 bomber named Yankee Warrior from the Yankee Air Museum in Willow Run, Mich. and a WWII Navy Avenger torpedo bomber from the Liberty Aviation Museum (LAM) in Port Clinton, Ohio, will hum through the skies as vintage military vehicles parade alongside the ranges towards the crowd. A German anti-aircraft battery and tow vehicle from the LAM, along with a fully-operational WWII M-4 Sherman tank from the Allen County Historical Society in Lima, Ohio, and two completely restored WWII Army Jeeps from the Firelands Military Vehicle Group of Sandusky, Ohio, will comprise the ground fleet. A WWII AMTRAC or amphibious tractor, owned by Tom Price, of Bowling Green, Ohio, will be on static display as well. Price’s AMTRAC, nicknamed “Tom’s Joy” made an appearance in the WWII film Flags of Our Fathers, directed by Clint Eastwood.

Reenactors in WWII uniforms will ride within the vintage vehicles, allowing spectators to see and feel as if they’re amid the battle. The CMP has extended invitations to WWII veterans and may even carry the American flag from the reenactment to the parade grounds.

First Shot Speaker will be Director of Civilian Marksmanship, Emeritus, Gary Anderson. Anderson is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who also carries seven World Championships and 16 National Championships in his list of accomplishments. In June 2012, he was awarded the Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee – the highest honor given. Anderson will fire the first shot of the National Matches with his Model 70 rifle, which he used to win one of his U.S. National Championships.

At the conclusion of the First Shot Ceremony, a dedication will immediately follow at the newly established Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center – CMP’s air gun facility. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held, as well as a Dedication Prize Shoot that is open to all dedication attendees. Prizes will be given to the top shooters of the match. Range Open Houses for those unable to attend the Dedication Ceremony will be held July 8 from 5-7 p.m. and July 17 from 5-8 p.m.

The First Shot Ceremony and the Range Dedication events are free and open to the public. All are encouraged to join us on our day of celebration. For more information on the National Matches, visit http://www.thecmp.org/NM/Rifle.htm.