The first Veterans Rifle Team match was created by Scotty Nicholas, a New Zealand shooter, and the first match was held in New Zealand in 1995.

The Veterans’ Long Range Trophy is made from a unique piece of wood: a tree trunk indigenous to New Zealand. The winning country’s name is engraved on a plaque at the back of the trophy.

The US Veterans Rifle Team was presented a special plaque commemorating the USA win in 1999. This plaque was presented to Mr. Gil Gilchrist, Director, Competitions Division, USA National Rifle Association, to be placed on display at the NRA headquarters. The first Veterans Rifle team match was held in 1995.

The 1999 team was the first official USA Veterans Rifle Team to represent the United States. The South African World Championship allowed a 14-member veterans team although the U.S. Fronted only a 10-member team. To be considered a "Veteran" team members must be 60 years of age, or older during the year of the competition. Five countries competed in the 1999 match: Great Britain, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and the USA.

The ranges fired were 300, 600, 900 and 1000 yards. Over two days. The U.S. team secured gold with a score of 3813-251X, South Africa captured silver with 3782-231X, and Australia won the bronze medal with 3752-217X.

The Captains of all participating teams make up the World Veterans Council and decide where the next match will be held in addition to making other executive decisions. Team matches are held every two years. In the years that coincide with the World Palma Team Championships, the Veterans Team World Championship is held at the same venue. At the two-year interval between World Palma Team Championships, the matches will be held at a host country decided by the World Veterans Council.

The Bald Eagles Rifle Club was started as a support organization for the USA Veterans Rifle Team. It was established as a NRA affiliated club with the goal of providing a vehicle to enter legal club teams in NRA competitions. Jack Van Ness was the founder and first president of the club and Bob Gamboa served as Vice President. Al Coots was the Secretary and Treasurer and Bob DePasque was the other board member. The name of the club was recommended by Alan Dapp and agreed to by the other members.

A decision was made to take action on an NRA Highpower Committee resolution to conduct a 7-day highpower prone rifle championship to be held at the NRA Whittington Center during the first week of September each year. This and other factors led to the decision to incorporate the club in the state of New Mexico. Incorporation was completed April 9, 2002. During the incorporation process the Board of Directors was selected with Jack Van Ness as President, Al Coots, Secretary and board members Bob Gamboa, Lonnie Kuhns, Jim Rice and Middleton Tompkins. All of the board members were members of the USA Veterans Rifle Team that represented the USA in the 2001 World Veterans Team championships.

It was during this trip that plans were made for the First Annual Spirit of America matches. These were held in September of 2002 at the NRA Whittington Center near Raton, NM.

Membership is open to those interested in promoting Fullbore rifle shooting including F Class shooting, and who are aged 60 or over. Associate membership is open to those aged 55 or over.

Club teams won the “Open Club” Herrick and Roumanian Trophy in the Palma Rifle Class at the 2003 National Long Range Rifle Championships held at Camp Perry, Ohio. Additionally, the club has fielded USA Veterans Rifle Teams to Perth, Australia in 2001 and to Bisley, England in 2003.