Ohio National Guard News

Retired Army Lt. Gen. John S. Crosby gave opening remarks and officially kicked off the National Matches by firing the ceremonial “first shot” on the 600-yard Rodriguez Range.

'First Shot' ceremony opens National Matches at Camp Perry

Photos by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Pavlik, Ohio National Guard

Opening ceremonies for the 2013 National Rifle and Pistol Matches were held July 8, 2013, at Camp Perry Joint Training Center in Port Clinton, Ohio. The National Matches are hosted jointly each year by the Ohio National Guard, National Rifle Association and Civilian Marksmanship Program. Known as the “World Series of competitive shooting,” the five-week event attracts more than 6,000 national and international civilian and military competitors, volunteers, spectators, vendors and family members each summer to Camp Perry. Retired Army Lt. Gen. John S. Crosby (pictured above) gave opening remarks and officially kicked off the National Matches by firing the ceremonial “first shot” on the 600-yard Rodriguez Range. For more on the National Matches, go to http://www.odcmp.com/NM.htm.

Soldiers salutes Soldier in vintage uniform salting
Presentation of the flag Dignitaries pose for photograph
Presentation of flag Maj. Gen. Ashenhurst waves to crowd
122nd Army band performs Maj. Gen. Ashenhurst shakes hand in vintage attire
Lt. Gov Mary Taylor speaks to crowd at the 'First Shot' ceremony Retired Army Lt. Gen. John S. Crosby waves to crowd
Crowd at 1st shot ceremony for 2013 National Matches