A shooting trip turns very special

by Larry S. Moore

When I first reported on the Clark County Sportsmen Club, I indicated that I really wished I had my shotgun to shoot a round of sporting clays. I soon returned to the club to shoot. It turned out to be more special than I could have ever dreamed.

The day started, like many other trips to the range, with deciding what shotgun to use today, gathering the shells and range bag plus the anticipation. I was going with a long-time shooting buddy Dennis Evans.

We thought about asking our friend, and mentor, Karl Wilburn to tag along. Karl, who is into his early 80's, has had some health issues that limited his shooting over the last few years. He is getting his strength back and had a better summer. A quick phone call and Karl agreed to go but indicated he wouldn't shoot. That's fine with us. We always enjoy Karl's company, humor and endless string of shooting stories. However, when we arrived at his house, he was busily scurrying around getting his vest, shotgun and shells together. Even better to have another chance to share the range with him!

During the short ride to the club, Karl wondered if any of his old shooting buddies might still be there. Unbeknownst to us, Karl is a life member of the Clark County Sportsmen's Club. We already knew that Karl was an All-Ohio State trapshooter during his days of active competition. Karl walked up to the porch and started talking to another older gentleman. It took a few minutes for the connection, but it was one of his old shooting and hunting buddies, Lowell Norton. Lowell invited us shoot with his squad, and we quickly accepted. We had the most enjoyable round of sporting clays that I've shot perhaps in my life.

Watching Lowell and Karl as they shot, told stories and the old friends reconnected was simply priceless. I know Karl wore a big smile for the entire round. After the last bird was thrown and the scores tallied, Dennis had the best score, but Lowell was in the hunt, besting both Karl and I by a couple of targets. The shooting was over but the best part was yet to come.

Back at the parking lot, I wanted a photo of Karl and Lowell together. It was then that I noticed Lowell's U.S. Army hat and asked him about it. Now this is the absolute best and most honored part of my day:

Lowell, who is 90-years young, was at Omaha Beach on D-Day! He told us he was in the 2nd Ranger company when 295 men hit the beach together. Only 91 of them made it over the top. I asked about his Purple Heart license plate.

"I was into France when the bastards got me," Lowell said. "I got the Purple Heart. We made it because you can't stop determined American soldiers."

It was said quietly, respectively but with a lot of pride. When Lowell removed his shooting vest, he revealed an NRA jacket.

It was wonderful that Karl and Lowell could have another round of clays together. I was absolutely honored to have the opportunity to shoot with an American Hero! I hope I have many days at the range left. I am quite sure I'll never have another day like this one!

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Foundation and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award, the 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year and the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation/ Women in the Outdoors Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.