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Writer's pictureButch Erskine

Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #109

Fellow Patriots,

Greetings and welcome to the PENL Edition #109. Thanks for stopping by to spend some of your time with us at HFS. It was another busy week at HFS as we push our way towards the end of May. Crazy times we are living through, huh? Mid May and folks are having to cover their gardens and fruit trees for frost protection. Seems a bit crazy for this time of year doesn't it? Then again, what is normal these days.


This is a exciting time of year for HFS as we approach Heritage Life Skills in Waynesville, NC and the annual opportunity to rally with like minded preparers. This is a great opportunity to meet and communicate with great Patriots who offer a wealth of skills and information to learn. When attendees depart after three full days of learning and guest speakers their note pads are full and their minds are over loaded with information. This is a good thing. The best part of the event are all the new friends we meet. I can attest they become family.


Hope for Survival - The Mindset is book two in the HFS series and is available now. You can order the book through this website now. I will also have the book available during Heritage Life Skills in Waynesville, NC, May 20-23, 2021. I would like to thank Ms. Lucy for her time and effort to help me move this project along. I also want to thank Festus, Ms. G and Sir B, Ms. J and Mr. B, and Patriot T.M. for her art work on the cover. Your time and effort means more than words can express.


Book 1 in the HFS series focused on building preparedness plans to survive, Book II focuses on preparing yourself. Preparing your mental toolbox to stay outside the box and left of bang. Check it out. Book II is $10 plus shipping.

















Thursday Zoom Rallies – We had Zoom Rally #54 Thursday night discussing preparedness related topics like gardening, building preparedness groups and leadership to name a few. I am really proud of this group for sticking with it weekly. This week we discussed tyranny, the coming drought and the impact it could have on the future of America. A favorite feature of mine is the "chatter that matters" segment of the evening where all attendees can discuss any and all preparedness topics on their mind.


New Hope for Survival YouTube video: The Coming Storm


Communications: You can now follow HFS social media on the following outlets:


Facebook – Hope for Survival

YouTube Channel – Hope for Survival

MeWe: - //mewe.com/p/hopeforsurvival2


Connect and give me a shout. Share with family and friends.


Moving along …

If you are a guest or newcomer to the HFS journey, please check out this link for additional information offered through HFS. https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/post/guest-and-newcomers-information-page


We must make this brief public announcement to protect the innocent.


Ding, Ding, Ding....Attention HFS readers..... Opinions shared in this newsletter are just that, opinions, and nothing more. Read at your own risk. The owner and author of this site is not responsible for hurt feelings or thin-skinned readers. I do my best to show restraint and respect to the best extent possible. I take as many precautions as possible and try to remain as nonpolitical as possible, however, there are times when I just can't help but point certain things out. Occasionally I use words only Patriots recognize and understand. It's not personal against any non-Patriot. It's just the truth. Sometimes we must pull up our spenders and suck it up. Just saying. Stay the course, read what you want, and avoid the rest. Avoid fear porn as much as possible and the day will be okay. When all else fails… Keep the faith and always have Hope.

Let’s move along and get to some thoughts...


Thoughts for the week –


We are witnessing another episode of the unprepared 90% group racing to grab fuel and resources as they panic over the Colonial pipeline hacking and stoppage of fuel supplies from Texas to New Jersey. I talked to three sources this week who informed me there is no fuel shortage and the mass consumer demand for additional fuel is creating the shortage. This should be expected during any announced shortage, demand, and run on goods by the unprepared populace. This has not and does not change through each event where a stoppage or shortage occurs impacting the flow of normal life.


I am pointing this out because once again it proves the point of being prepared. To me it is pretty simple. If one is prepared they do not need to join in the mass rush to stock up on resources. When the 90% crazies rush to grab the last gallon of milk, fuel, or bag of beans, the preparer wants to be at home away from the craziness. Why? Because we are already stocked and prepared for the next potential event that could occur. While the masses focus on the occurring panic and growing shortages the prepared are focused on what other possibilities could come next. Right? Remember, our goal is to remain outside the box and left of bang. In this case, being outside the box is having the needed resources and understanding what is taking place before the panic starts. The left of bang is not going out and joining the masses and potentially ending up potentially trapped in a civil panic. How can you adjust your plans to what could be coming, to include bugging out, if you are mixed in the civil panic and not at home monitoring ongoing events? Think about it.


Fortunately, HFS had intel a few weeks in advance of a predicted fuel shortage coming in June. It remains to be seen if my source was focused on other reasons for the shortage that did not include the Colonial Pipeline hack. How would my source know of a coming hack? Good question for another day. I shared the June shortage information with fellow HFS Patriots and everyone who heard the warning already had fuel stocked as needed. Resources should never be a problem because we have been discussing this philosophy for several years.


We should always be preparing for the unknown and attempt to stay 48 to 72 hours ahead of the mad rush of the unprepared. It is going to happen. Trends and statistics prove this to be true. So my question is, why will people continue playing against the odds when events repeatedly prove my point?" They spend hours on Facebook and other media platforms complaining about a situation when the same time could be spent preparing.


I often have discussions with preparers who share how a spouse or family does not support the preparers philosophy or efforts. My advice is always the same. I understand. I suggest the person plant seeds and let the other family member(s) pick up the seeds on their own timeline. Let them consume at their own pace. Arguing and trying to force preparedness on others will only create additional stress and problems. Be a leader and continue preparing. Then when an event like Covid-19 or the current fuel shortage here in the southeastern states occurs, your family witnesses how your preparedness plans and resources allowed you to continue life without impact of the event. Smile. Don't rub it in or shout "I told you so." This will only put you back where you started. Your goal should be to share the unprepared on the philosophy of why one should prepare. This is planting the "why" in their mental toolbox. If they don't buy in, their physical efforts will lack in preparing, if they prepare at all. Your time is valuable and you have to decide how much you are willing to spend teaching a person who is not bought in to the "why" part of preparedness.


Many people live with the attitude it will be okay because the government or "greatness of America" will fix the problem as it always has. Look around and see all the mounting long term problems we face today. The list is growing and fixes are not visible. We wait and wait. Nothing. Many fail to realize the system is broken and leadership being trusted to fix the problems are part of the problem. As we witnessed at the start of Covid-19 and the recent fuel shortage, people go nuts when they think their norm is being altered. Being prepared means for every crisis or event. Short and long term events are no different if you get caught in the response of those unprepared. Simply put, we want to be out of the way and already prepared. Things can change as quick as the snap of your finger.


Remember, we want to always monitor for the cause and effect situations. Most often we can not change the "cause" but we want to adapt and adjust our plans to the "effect: of the cause. How will higher taxes impact my way of life? How will Covid-19 impact my plans? How does a fuel shortage impact my way of life? How would a long term drought in another region impact the way of life we are used to having? Continually run drills in your mind to the "what ifs" of events and think how you would react and change your preparedness plans. While you are studying and planning around the effect also think about your five mile radius around you. Remember, these people will also feel the brunt of what is happening. If not prepared, they will suffer the same as the unprepared. This becomes your problem.


Here is a quick video of a citizen talking about how fast things can change. We need always be alert and awake at the wheel.



Next...


Ms. Lucy and I took a quick trip to Western VA. to meet up with family for a quick lunch near Abingdon, VA. This is one of our favorite areas to visit when time permits. We grabbed lunch at a country general store which had lots of neat items for purchase such as local honey, old Witch Hazel products, locally made natural medicines and such. The small café was off to the side of the store. Do you ever find small towns and old stores offering lunch? We enjoy it a bit and this is a great region of America to visit.


A neat place to visit is called the Barter Theater in Abingdon that opened on June 10, 1933 and is the longest-running professional Equity theatre in the United States. We have visited several times over the years to take in stage plays. We always find time to visit the local antique shops, and grab some good food like homemade soups, cobbler, pie, and friendly people. Small town America is part of what makes our nation so great.


These trips always take me back in time when I was a small child and would visit my dad who lived in this region. He was a school teacher in another small Virginia town called Pocahontas. It was a small coal mining community that once boomed from our nations dependence on coal. Today, the small town has a population of 293 citizens. Part of the town still has its original red brick streets which caused automobile tires to rumble while passing through town. The towns booming economy is gone and about all is left are historic memories.


In the early 70's, my dad would take me to a really neat place located on main street. It was a pharmacy with a hot grill. They had homemade ice cream and soda pop out of a machine. The customer would take a seat on a stool at the food bar, place a order, and watch the grill master put the order together. I remember the lady fixing me the best grilled cheese sandwich ever. It remains a tradition for me today. She grilled the cheese sandwich, and once finished, she pulled it apart and placed a slice of juicy red tomato on the melted cheese. She then added a smearing of mayo. She then cut it in half corner to corner. This sandwich along with a frosty root beer was the best.


Every year this town would have festive Christmas and July 4th parades through town. The locals lined the streets and cheered as antique cars and fire trucks passed by. My dad was the local high school band director and his band would march through the streets to cheers and applause. The local high school band was so small he would include Jr. High band students with the high school members. I would often visit my dad during these periods and join his band to march in the parades. Time stopped and nothing else mattered. Hard working Americans stopping life to enjoy the parade and support the local community. Then they would gather as a family to celebrate the holiday over a meal. No matter how good or bad life may have been, they stopped in time to take in the moment. No matter the situation, these Patriotic Americans opened their doors to everyone to join them for a meal and a chat. There was no such thing as strangers during this period of history.


As a small boy, this was pretty neat to me. I grew up in small town America and for me there is no better place. I will always have fond memories of this lifestyle. The people, events, memories and traditions are priceless. Ms. Lucy and I take every opportunity possible to stop and take in small town America as time permits. Funny thing, even while traveling throughout Europe and Africa I would look for the same small towns and villages to get a taste of their traditions as well. I didn't realize it then but I was seeking a reflection of my own small town America memories.


Today, I do believe our youth are missing out on these opportunities and will look back on life with few memories to reflect upon. I am thankful for events in my childhood that helps me continue my appreciation of memorable times and places. There is nothing like being a part of Patriotic traditions and American loving people.


I share this story because I believe the significance is the lessons we learned from our past to then carry them forward to share with our younger generations. While many of us desire to go back to the days of our past, our youth desire flocking to the cities and a life of higher technology and a fast moving life style. I believe this is significant because when things turn bad and their technology fails, they will be lost. No smart tv's or Alexa to tell them a menu. No electric can openers or manual garage door openers. They live for today and we live to live another day. Will this be the difference in who survives long term and who will not?


May God bless and protect our great nation and fellow Patriots.


Next ....


The HFS Zoom group hosted a special training class this week on the Constitution. HFS had roughly 36 members sign up for the class being taught by Dr. Richard Proctor of Provost Institute out of Utah. He is the author of Saving the Constitution which is one of the best books available to understand the Constitution. Dr. Proctor appeared on the HFS Zoom rally two weeks ago for a brief introduction and description of the class being offered and then appeared for the special training class. It was a great opportunity to learn more detail and specifics to the Articles and intent to how it is written. HFS appreciates those who attended and took time from their busy schedule to support this effort. I also want to thank Festus for putting this together for the group. It was time well spent with fellow Patriots.


Okay, lets move along to the news…

Preparedness News –


1. From Prep School Daily - Prep School Daily: Basic Food Storage--Flour - This is one of the essential resources one should include in their food planning and preparedness stocking. It is not as simple as purchasing and placing on the self. Here is some good guidance to consider.


2. From Dr. Joe Alton - Survival Medicine - Nursing Care Off The Grid | Doom and Bloom (TM) - How prepared are you to handle a family medical emergency this afternoon? Imagine you have a family member down and to this point you have purchased First Aid kits and lots of books but have yet to take a first aid class or read the book? Now you have increased panic and commotion escalating around you, your family member has passed out and unable to tell you what is going on, and you are reading in a book what the symptoms tell you. This is one key area of preparedness where many preparers will fail because they kept putting off training.


3. From A Year Without the Grocery Store - Planning Your Garden - Part 2 - Your Garden Map - (ayearwithoutthegrocerystore.com) - During this period of unknown and pre-event, it is a great time to read and learn as much as possible from others. You will need to decide what articles and information is good for you and then print out for your hard copy library. This is a good document for anyone who has yet to grow a garden or anyone with the thoughts of expanding their crop.


4. From Daisy Luther - The Organic Prepper - Surviving Change - The Organic Prepper - This area concerns me. Predicting how a person will react to stress and change is important and unknown. It is a critical part of preparedness and now is the time everyone should be exercising their plans and practicing task and with tools identified in their plans. No one should be pulling equipment out of the box during an emergency. This will create more stress. The ability to perform and produce is severely hampered when stress takes over. Preparing and staying ahead of events the best one can will help reduce potential failures because the individual driving their reactions and responses vs the situation driving them to react from behind the event. We want to stay ahead of the event as best possible.


5. From Linda Loosli - Food Storage Moms - 20 Amazing Uses for Zip Ties - Food Storage Moms - I personally use zip ties for a lot around my home for preparedness projects. They are inexpensive and great to have available.


Other News –


1. From N.C. Renegade - Report on the Black Robe Regiment Summit and The Speech Too Hot to Handle for the Event. | NC Renegades - Many may not be familiar with the Black Robe Regiment topic, who it is and what it is about. We have discussed this topic several times in past HFS Zoom rallies for the participants. The name was given to the pastoral preachers in the 13 colonies before, during, and after the American Revolution. Typically they are non-political and preach and teach a Biblical message using a Constitutional foundation. The BRR recently held a conference in Knoxville, TN that NC Renegade attended. His comments are very interesting as are the comments below the message. Had we known, Festus and I would have attended this event.


2. From Curtis Bowers - Behind the Scenes - Ms. Lucy and I had the honor of hearing Mr. Bowers speak in person a few years ago. A former Idaho Congressman, Mr. Bowers continues his efforts to educate Americans on the truth to what is going on in America. Critical Race Theory is a hot topic nationally. Check out Mr. Bowers message.


3. From Alex Newman - The New American - COVID Shots, DNA & Transhumanism, With Dr. Madej - The New American - This is a great video with Dr. Carrie Madej.


4. From Tom Hichliffe - Global Research - Prepping for a Cyber Pandemic: Cyber Polygon 2021 to Stage Supply Chain Attack Simulation - Global ResearchGlobal Research - Centre for Research on Globalization - The upcoming Cyber event will be worth paying attention and watching for reports for results and any comments. This is a good read.


5. From Jordan Davidson - EcoWatch - Southwest Drought Could Be Worst in 1,200 Years, Due to the Climate Crisis - EcoWatch - Fellow Patriots, I don't know if you are following this potential disaster occurring. This could be beyond tragic. If you have not, you may wish to start taking notice. This will have huge national consequences to our nation. Not just economically. People will start migrating away from the western US. Food supplies will dwindle quickly. Cattle will die if it can't be moved to the Midwestern states or Eastern states. Water supplies will further diminish. Many farmers are not planting crops this year and already writing off a loss for 2021 because already existing conditions. Add this to the already strained food supplies and escalating cost of food now. This is beyond a disaster.


Drum roll...........

That's all my Patriot brothers and sisters.

Thanks for your emails and messages. Many of the emails I receive are uplifting. I enjoy hearing from you throughout the week and sharing your preparedness projects and accomplishments. Thanks for your time to read the PENL and hanging out with us for a while.


We are living through interesting times and we all handle news and events in different ways. How we balance what we see and hear is important because many of our Patriot sisters and brothers become overwhelmed and depressed. This is understandable. Always remember, no matter how negative the news and world around us seems, we always have hope and positive things around us to be thankful for. Don't let the doom and gloom of a broken society get you down. Stay grounded and don't lose sight on the big picture. If you need a like minded friend reach out and share your thoughts and how you feel. We are not just here for learning preparedness. We should always be here for one another.


Prayers - Please keep our great nation, our elected leaders, military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. We pray for good health and wisdom. Please pray for our leadership to find answers and guidance to the problems facing our great nation. Please pray for the former President and his family. May your faith remain strong and answers to the unknown provided. God is good and may our prayers blanket and protect you and your circumstances. I pray for each, and every one of our Patriots.


Please pray for our Patriot sister in the Asheville area who has been sick for over three months. Pray you gain strength, get your health back soon. Prayers for strength and good health for your husband as well. I received an update this week and she is doing much better. She is not full strength yet but has made significant strides forward.


Please pray for our Sister Patriot in Huntsville, AL who took a fall in January and is still going through numerous medical procedures and test to get to a point of recovering. I communicated with her this week and her physical issues are improving.


We need a lot of prayer warriors to uplift a Patriot sister and her family while they deal with negative health news with a child. We need lots of prayer to uplift this family often. I received word this week our prayers are appreciated and things are improving at a slow pace.


Please pray for a Patriot sister and brother in SC while they deal with family issues regarding a child and grandchild. Pray for strength and wisdom as they adjust to current events.


Please pray for wisdom, energy, and efforts as the Carolina Readiness crew puts the final touches on the upcoming Heritage Life Skills event. May we pray for all the blessings and things in life to be thankful about and continued hope for revival around the world. We must continually pray for the unsaved, our family and friends who live each day without the protection for eternal life and salvation. Pray the current Colonial pipeline fuel issues does not impact this event.


Our prayers are needed for medical answers to an ongoing unidentified health issue with a Patriot brother in NC so he can proceed forward with solutions to get 100% healthy again. Prayers to him and his wife on their journey.


As Patriots we must stay strong and never give up. Our home, community and nation needs us now more than ever. The global stage for WW III is being set before our eyes. Our nation suffers in many areas. The hole will only get deeper. The headwinds are strong against us but we must keep charging. Have a safe week. Don't allow the events around us to create fear in your life. Build your own self-reliance and focus on hope. Remember we are a blessed nation and we must continue to be great people today and make a better tomorrow. Keep charging."

Blessings,

Bravo Echo Out,







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