On August 28th, 2010, Post 435 SAL and Gun Club member Wally Erikson became the states latest Distinguished Pistol Marksman. The prestigious Distinguished Pistol Marksman Award is earned by competing in the Civilian Marksmanship Program's "Excellence in Competition" pistol matches. Points earned at these CMP "EIC" matches have qualified Wally for the prestigious Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge.

Wally earned his points with a 1st place finish at the 2010 Wisconsin State Pistol Championship, a 2nd place at the 2010 Minnesota State Pistol Championship, a 3rd place at the 2009 Minnesota State Pistol Championship, a 3rd place at the 2009 Minnesota Regional Pistol Championship and a 1st place finish at the 2008 Minnesota State Pistol Championship.

The prestigious Distinguished Badge program began in 1884 when the U. S. Army first awarded the Distinguished Marksman Badge. In 1891, the program expanded to offer a Distinguished Rifleman Badge and a new Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge. Eventually, there were Distinguished Badge programs for each service and for civilians. The Distinguished Rifleman and Distinguished Pistol Shot Badges are the highest honor that most military and civilian rifle and pistol marksmen can aspire to earn.

The CMP is proud to recognize all shooters who have "Gone Distinguished" from the program's inception in 1884 until today.

Mark Havlik, Post 435 CMP Club President

On Friday September 24 I had the honor and privilege to be invited to help coach at a shooting clinic put on for more than two dozen Minnesota National Guard troops. The clinic was hosted by Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club in Harris MN. The guard troops were mostly members of the 34th ID (the Red Bulls) with a hand full of members of the MN Air Guard. The Red Bulls have been notified that they will be deployed again sometime next year to parts still unknown.

The propose of the clinic was to supplement the Guardsman's marksmanship training helping them become more combat effective out to 600 yards. The coaches, myself included, are all long time completive shooters involved in the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).

The clinic consisted of instruction and live fire from the Standing, Sitting and Prone positions at 200, 300 and 600 yards. The young Gardsmen were eager to learn, lisening to their coaches and putting their new knowledge to work. It was very gratifiying watching their scores improve.

And when our day was over, these brave young men honored us by presenting us with certificates of appreciation from the Office of the Adjutant General of the MN National Guard.

Mark Havlik
Post 435 SAL Squadron
Post 435 CMP Club President