Merry Christmas SMTers!
With two young boys at home, this is a special time of year for the Dobo Family, all of the anticipation of gifts and parties and desserts! (My boys have serious sweet tooths.)
Now all the gifts under the tree are pretty special, but I've had some amazing ones from the SMTers this year that have really been the best gifts of all. Let me share a few with you:
When I began trying to restart the SMT group, I was afraid that a lot of the team had gone their own way. That you wouldn't come back and start training with us again, but when I dropped the note that SMT would start training again, we filled up and filled up almost immediately. That was amazing and very humbling. In fact, we haven't had to cancel a class for lack of attendance yet. (More on this in a moment.)
The next surprise was the kindness and generosity of the Osseo Gun Club. There aren't many ranges out there that would be willing to let a group like SMT come in and get started doing the skills and drills that you SMTers are capable of doing. But OGC's Chris and Jeanine not only said that they'd love to haveSMT there, but they were willing to let us train whatever skill we wanted on a range they generally reserve for Law Enforcement only. If you're still looking for a range to be a member of, would you consider joining Osseo Gun Club?
Another gift was how much the SMTers had kept up their skills during the time we weren't able to train together. For some, there wasn't hardly a change between the last session in the New Hope facility to OGC. For others, we just knocked the rust off and you were back in good form. The growth of those who have stepped into the Advanced Class has been amazing, and the dedication of those in the Foundations Class is something that is really unique among the SMT tribe. You come. You work hard. You grow and succeed. There are so many in the firearms industry that have to really work hard to make their case that the products are really impacting the safety of others. I don't have to work hard at all, you guys are all the evidence I need that SMT is making people safe, everywhere.
The last gift that I'd like to mention is the commitment you have shown to SMT and its mission. There have been not one, but several conversations between members and myself that all concluded in one way - no matter what, keep going. In running the class, I have had financial constraints, time constraints, and other issues, but that was not going to stop any of you and you've convinced me that it shouldn't stop me either. Several of you have pledged financial resources to ensure the continued success of SMT, others are chomping at the bit to become instructors to start your own team, and others are committed to coming to training whenever possible and bringing in new people to get started, or brining back old members from the New Hope facility. This is the kind of team that I'd always wanted to be a part of. Men and women of honor, integrity, and who are seeking the most from themselves and their teammates.
Well, after this long message, I must wrap it up. From SMT, we are so grateful for the gifts you've given us through the years. We call you friends, compatriots, and family. We want to wish you and your family, the merriest of Christmases and a blessed new year. There is so much to do, our work together to protect the nation - one person, one family, and one community at a time has only just begun.