You'll find a number of interesting characters here at the Long Range High Power Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio. From the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, is 87 year old August "Gus" Giometti. Gus has been coming to Camp Perry for almost 45 years. "I missed one year because of work and the other because of a court case."

A long time high power competitor, Gus has easily become a favorite of his fellow shooters. His attitude, his stories, and his shooting are a little of what draws their attention and praise. With good reason, as Gus is more than just a conversation piece.

"I earned Distinguished in 1967 and finished 3rd one year on the old target systems when there were over 3,000 shooters," said Gus. "That's back when meals at the Mess Hall cost fifteen cents."

As we continued talking to Gus, fellow competitors gathered to hear more about the Camp's history. One asked if he ever worked on his own Match Rifles -- he did.

"I had one of the first space guns up here in 1968. I took an M1 rifle and put receiver sights on it as well as a buttplate and aperture sights. I showed it to a couple of people up here and they said I'd never get it approved. I showed it to Colonel Joe Smith, who was in charge of the rules committee. He said it would have to be shot as Match Rifle and gave me a letter to say that I was eligible to shoot."

A member of the River Bend Gun Club in Atlanta, he keeps coming back to Camp Perry for the competitiveness and the people. "Couldn't find my sweatshirt yesterday when I hung it out to dry. Thought I lost it for sure. One of the Marine shooters brought it to me this morning. That's the kind of people you find around here. They're all friendly and they're all helpful."

With that, the Match Director called for shooters to take the line and Gus went back to the action. He gathered his equipment, placed it on a cart and pulled. After a few steps, he turned and said:

"Don't forget to say that I'm a Georgia Tech graduate in Civil Engineering ... that's about it."