On Saturday evening, June 20, 2026, the Compton Hunting & Fishing Club in Southern California hosted another outstanding Friends of the NRA dinner. The event brought together supporters, volunteers, and leaders in a night filled with camaraderie, inspiring stories, and strong support for the NRA’s vital programs.
Event Chairman Frank McEnulty deserves big congratulations for organizing yet another successful gathering at this legendary venue. His leadership helped make the evening memorable for everyone in attendance.
Special thanks go to key contributors including NRA Field Representative Jason Russo, and Dave Halbrook, NRA National Manager Community Engagement. Their hard work and dedication were instrumental to the event’s overall success.
Highlight: Guest Speaker Gunner Pasciuti
The evening featured a powerful presentation by legendary Marine Gunner and author AJ Pasciuti. In his memoir Darkhorse, Pasciuti shares his remarkable story of service, including four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He inspired the crowd with accounts of the heroic actions of the Marines he served with, notably eliminating the Iraqi sniper known as Juba and reclaiming a stolen U.S. M40 sniper rifle. His message resonated deeply with attendees, honoring the courage and commitment of those who serve.
Recognizing Dedicated Volunteers
The event also celebrated outstanding volunteers like NRA Training Counselor Ken Takahashi and his son Enzo. Ken recently deployed to Hawaii as a training counselor, where he completed instructor training for 21 candidates representing three Hawaiian Islands. The training covered:
- Basic Instructor Training (BIT)
- NRA Basic Rifle
- NRA Rifle Instructor
- Basic Shotgun and NRA Shotgun Instructor
These newly certified instructors are now equipped to deliver expert firearms training to thousands of Hawaii residents, expanding the NRA’s reach and impact in the islands.
A Night of Impact
The dinner was a wonderful celebration of fellowship and shared values. Most importantly, it raised a significant amount of funding to support critical NRA initiatives, including:
- Youth education and training
- Competitive shooting programs
- Youth safety initiatives
- Law enforcement programs
Events like this strengthen our community and directly fuel programs that promote responsible firearm ownership, safety, and the shooting sports for future generations.
Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, or contributed to making the 2026 Friends of the NRA dinner at Compton Hunting & Fishing Club a resounding success. We look forward to continuing this important work together!
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