7th Annual Memorial 3-Gun Competition Recap: Honoring Heroes Through Competition

The 7th Annual Memorial 3-Gun Competition took place October 11-13, 2024, at Griffon Group Training Facility in Maxton, NC. Competitors, spectators, volunteers, and Gold Star families gathered for an extraordinary weekend that seamlessly blended the intensity of competitive shooting with a profound mission: to honor fallen Special Operations soldiers.

A Mission Beyond Competition

The Memorial 3-Gun Foundation organizes this annual event with a mission to memorialize fallen heroes, support Gold Star families, and educate attendees about the sacrifices made by Special Operations soldiers. Unlike any other shooting event, this competition is about more than testing speed and accuracy—it’s about remembrance, recognition, and connection.

Honoring the Fallen

Each competition stage was dedicated to a fallen Special Operations soldier. Banners bearing the soldier’s photo and biography were displayed at each stage, ensuring their memory was ever-present. Before shooting began, competitors paused to hear the honoree’s story, followed by a moment of silence. This heartfelt tradition serves as a humbling reminder of the event’s true purpose.

For many, the most emotional moments occurred during the memorial ceremony, where family members shared stories of their loved ones. These tributes transformed names on banners into real, relatable heroes, leaving an indelible impact on everyone present.

Perfect Weather for Competition

Mother Nature was on the competitors’ side for this year’s event. With no precipitation, temperatures hovered at a pleasant average of 77°F, peaking at 86°F in the afternoons. Mornings brought a bit of fog with cooler air, dipping into the high 40s, while light winds at 5-10 mph kept conditions ideal for shooting.

This mild weather ensured smooth stage transitions and consistent conditions for all competitors across the weekend’s rigorous course of fire.

The 3-Gun Challenge: Skill, Speed, and Strategy

The Memorial 3-Gun format features three firearms:

• Modern Sporting Rifle (AR-platform)
• Handgun
• Shotgun

Competitors tackled multiple stages designed to test their marksmanship, speed, and adaptability. Each stage required shooters to transition between firearms while engaging targets from varying positions and distances. With divisions like Tactical Optics, Open, and Modified, participants of all skill levels found themselves pushed to their limits.

For an extra challenge, the event offered side stages that required raffle tickets for entry. These mini-competitions added excitement and additional fundraising opportunities to benefit Gold Star families.

An Abundance of Activities

The Memorial 3-Gun Match itself is held over all three days, with squads shooting in a half day format for each day. This format is not only favored by most competitors, it also allows them time to participate in the many activities that are happening in tandem of the match.

Some of the activities included side stages from supporting sponsors like OA Defense, Staccato, Genesis Arms, and more. Special Forces Association (Chapter VI), was present in addition to the Duskin & Stephens Foundation to raise further support and awareness while letting attendees get some trigger time in.

These side stages allowed both event competitors and general attendees a chance at taking home some cool gear while further contributing to the cause.

There were daily raffles and silent auctions for a very generous amount of merchandise thanks to the support from all of their sponsors. IWI US teamed up with Vortex Optics and Pro2 Customs to provide ten rifles complete with optics and a sick cerakote job to boot, which were raffled off to lucky participants at the conclusion of the event.

Staccato hosted a raffle for a battleworn cerakoted Staccato XC pistol, topped with a Trijicon SRO and a SureFire X300 light attached to the rail.

Another raffle was for an Adams Arms P3 in 6.5 Creedmoor, complete with Athlon Optics AREs ETR scope in a Warne Skyline Precision mount.

A 2024 Can-Am Defender Max XT HD9 complete with gun racks and other accessories from Texas Adventure Powersports was raffled off, valued at over $25,000.

Finally, we can’t forget about the Little Bird side stage, where slots were raffled off to a handful of competitors to participate in aerial gunnery and engage steel targets from the sky for score. This is probably one of the most unique offerings that this event has been known for, and it does not disappoint.

The Saturday Night Shoot-Off

The Stages

The 2024 Memorial 3-Gun Competition stages were built out by Zoo City Armory,

The stages for the 2024 competition are as follows:

1. Stage 1: Christopher Falkel – U.S. Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B) who served with 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). Killed in action on August 8, 2005, during the Battle of Mari Ghar, Afghanistan.
2. Stage 2: Kerry Kemp – U.S. Marine Corps Critical Skills Operator with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion. Known for his hard work, dedication, and drive.
3. Stage 3: Jeffrey Kettle – U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier who advanced from Infantry to Airborne Paratrooper, Army Ranger, and eventually Green Beret. Admired for his leadership and humor.
4. Stage 4: Donald McFaul – U.S. Navy SEAL who specialized in guerrilla training and served in Latin America and the Philippines. Killed in action during Operation Just Cause in Panama.
5. Stage 5: Bradley D. Rappuhn – U.S. Army Ranger and anti-armor specialist with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Died from injuries sustained from an IED in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
6. Stage 6: James “Ryan” Sartor – U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier who served with the 10th Special Forces Group. Known for his leadership and integrity.
7. Stage 7: Forrest Sibley – U.S. Air Force Combat Controller who served with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron. Killed in action on August 26, 2015, in an insider attack in Afghanistan.
8. Stage 8: Brendan Looney – U.S. Navy SEAL who served with SEAL Team 3 and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Died in a helicopter crash under enemy fire in Zabul Province, Afghanistan.
9. Stage 9: Vincent Marketta – U.S. Army Soldier and crew chief with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). Killed during a training exercise on San Clemente Island, California.
10. Stage 10: Reymund Transfiguracion – U.S. Army Special Forces Engineer Sergeant who served with the 1st Special Forces Group. Critically injured by an IED in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and later succumbed to his injuries.

2024 Memorial 3 Gun Match Results

In the Modified Division, Houston Russell claimed first place, followed closely by Taylor Ohlhausen (99.77%) and Matthew Martini (92.99%). The Modified competition was fierce, with the top 10 shooters all achieving over 87% of possible points.

Open division was a tight race between Varick Beise and John Wiedell with a seperation of 14.5 points for respectable first and second place finishes, followed be Joe Farewell securing third at 90.98%.

In Tac Optics we saw another close battle between Tim Yackley (first) and Nate Staskiewicz (second) with less than a 3% gap, followed by Evan Tisler for third place.

Other notable performances included Becky Yackley, who took the top spot in the Lady category, and Blake Wilkes, who won the Junior category.

A Foundation of Support for Gold Star Families

The Memorial 3-Gun Foundation ensures that the proceeds from this event provide direct financial support to the families of the fallen soldiers being honored. Beyond monetary contributions, the event creates a space for healing, remembrance, and community.

Families of honorees are not only invited to attend but also take part in the event’s emotional and symbolic traditions:

• Sharing personal stories during ceremonies
• Connecting with others who served alongside their loved ones
• Watching competitors sign banners dedicated to their fallen family member

This combination of tangible support and emotional recognition makes the Memorial 3-Gun a truly unique experience.

A Weekend to Remember

The competition brought together some of the most passionate and skilled shooters in the sport. However, it wasn’t just about who placed at the top—it was about creating a shared experience that honored sacrifice and built community. From the moment of silence at each stage to the tears and laughter shared during the memorial ceremony, the 7th Annual Memorial 3-Gun Competition left a lasting impression.

For competitors, spectators, and volunteers alike, the weekend was a powerful reminder that the freedoms enjoyed every day come at a cost. The dedication of the Memorial 3-Gun Foundation ensures these heroes are never forgotten, and their families are never alone.

Looking Ahead

As the Memorial 3-Gun Foundation continues its mission, the event will undoubtedly grow in impact and reach. Whether you’re a competitive shooter, a supporter of the military community, or someone seeking to make a difference, the Memorial 3-Gun Competition is more than just a match—it’s a call to honor, remember, and give back.

To learn more about the event and how to get involved, visit memorial3gun.com.