CAMP PERRY, Ohio –The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is happy to announce all the exciting details of the First Shot Ceremony, set to take place July 14 at 4:30 p.m. on the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility’s historic Rodriguez Range in Port Clinton, Ohio!
The First Shot Ceremony is open to the public, with free admission and plenty of on-site parking.
Since 1907, the National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches have been held at Camp Perry – welcoming each generation’s most talented marksmen and women from around the country as well as those hoping to learn more about the sport. The First Shot Ceremony serves as the traditional opening to the month-long competition season, while the First Shot speaker is an honored distinction amongst the marksmanship community.
This year’s First Shot Ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m., with prelude music by the Ohio National Guard’s 122nd Army Band. Scheduled activities include a flyover by a pair of WWII aircraft, including a U.S. Army Air Corps Mitchell B-25 bomber, nicknamed Georgie’s Gal, and a U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger fighter-bomber. Both aircraft are provided courtesy of Port Clinton’s Liberty Aviation Museum. The aircraft will make passes above the grandstands before the start of the festivities, at approximately 4:15 p.m.
Pyrotechnic displays, provided by cannonmaster Bob Gillmor, of Old Fort, Ohio, will simulate explosions on the ranges below as the aircraft pass prior to opening remarks. Those sensitive to loud noises are encouraged to bring hearing protection, though hearing protection will also be available from CMP staff.
A special color guard presentation by the cadets of Zion Benton High School Navy JROTC from Illinois will also make an appearance during the ceremony, followed by notes from a lineup of distinguished guests.
Additionally, static military vehicle displays will be available for viewing on the grounds, presented by Firelands Military Vehicle Club, as well as free antique car rides provided by the Timeless T’s Model T motor vehicle club of Erie County.
The 2025 First Shot Speaker will be Paris Olympic silver medalist Staff Sgt. Sagen Maddalena of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
Staff Sgt. Maddalena began her career as a junior on the California Grizzlies highpower rifle team. As a Grizzly, she garnered several successes including the Freedom’s Fire Trophy as a member of the highest scoring team in the National Matches Junior Rifle Team Match in 2013. Maddalena went on to join the University of Alaska Fairbanks rifle team before heading to the Army.
After several successes on a global level, she made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games before returning to Team USA for the 2024 Paris Games in both air rifle and smallbore – earning silver in the women’s three-position match.
While on the grounds of Camp Perry, visitors are encouraged to check out Petrarca Range and the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, only a short walk away from the ceremony site. Petrarca Range features outdoor electronically-scored rifle targets, while the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center features an indoor air gun facility and authentic Olympic memorabilia from the career of celebrated marksman, Gary Anderson. Both are open for marksmanship practice to the public weekly, all year long.
We hope to see you at Camp Perry as we begin this year’s National Matches season!
About the National Matches:
The National Matches schedule is comprised of the Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches, National Games Matches, National Smallbore Matches, National Air Gun Championships and the National Mid-Range and Long Range Matches. Along with several competitive opportunities, the National Matches includes a variety of educational clinics for all experience levels as well as shopping selections from some of today’s leading industry vendors.
View a full schedule of the 2025 National Matches events at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that places its highest priority on firearms safety and marksmanship activities, with a focus on youth. CMP’s programs encourage personal growth and build life skills, with such initiatives as its junior training and competition programs, Affiliated Club program and scholarships providing support to citizens of all backgrounds across the nation. Learn more about the CMP at https://thecmp.org/.
Read the full article here
