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Writer's pictureButch Erskine

Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #127

Fellow Patriots,


Greetings and welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #127. Thank you for stopping by to share your time with HFS. We are happy to have you with us. We are halfway through September and I must ask if you are better prepared today than at the start of September? If not, what are you waiting on? The negative news continues escalate and your preparedness planning and steps taken to prepare must keep pace. Yes, I know I sound like an echo continually beating the preparedness drum and I will continue doing so. I can only share ways to prepare and why you need to do it. YOU must take steps forward by starting or continuing. It is that simple.


It was another busy week at Hope for Survival. I made a quick trip to Huntsville to meet with the HFS Group Leaders for a round table discussion on important national level programs and factors that could impact the HFS efforts to help families become self-reliant through preparedness. I will share more on this in face-to-face meetings with HFS Group leaders in the coming weeks. It was great spending a few hours with the Huntsville Patriots. Thanks for your leadership.


Hope for Survival now a Satellite Phone Affiliate - The month of September is National Preparedness Month and it was a great time to launch the HFS affiliation with the Satellite Phone store. I can share numerous reasons why a Satellite Phone fits great in your preparedness plans. I have described the reasons in the first two newsletters posted in PENL 125 and 126. If and when a disaster strikes, I personally want every tool available to me for surviving and keeping my family and friends safe. It is that simple.


We often travel outside of our safe zone and expand our travels to visit out-of-state family in other states. While driving we often pass through areas where cellular coverage is minimal to none. Imagine you are driving and a child in the back seat begins to choke. You look in your rear view mirror and your child is turning blue. You immediately pull off the road to a safe area and respond to rescue your child. You get no response from your child after attempting several steps to free the airway so your child can breathe. You grab your cell phone and you have no signal. You are in a rural area of the highway and you see no passing vehicles to request emergency help. What will you do? If you owned a satellite phone you could flip up the antenna, connect quickly to a satellite and make your emergency call. Just like that.


Owning a Satellite Phone offers a great communication advantage to a Family Communication Plan. Several of our HFS Patriots jumped on this deal over the past 90 days. Here is a link to more information on this topic. Hope for Survival - Satellite Phone Affiliate If you have decided you want a satellite phone already, go to the HFS website main page or blog page to find a box on the upper left and right sides. They are preloaded with the HFS Code. Check it out here as well :Blog | Survival (hopeforsurvival.com) If you have any questions please feel free to email me at Preparedness101@hopeforsurvival.com These phones are available until they sell out. If you purchased a phone already or plan to do so, watch this short video as Justin walks you through some simple steps to assist you. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.



Thursday Zoom Rallies – HFS Zoom Rally #67 was conducted with topics covering the five D's of security, the 7 pillars of preparedness, and the five A's of awareness. We conducted a few group exercises as well on the topics just noted. We then conducted our chatter that matters session. It was great spending time together for our weekly zoom rally. Thanks to those who attended.


Hope for Survival YouTube - I was a guest on the Changing Earth Podcast with host Sara Hathaway and cohost Chin Gibson to discuss the importance of communication and preparedness planning. Time always goes to fast when we get together. Sara is doing great things over at her Changing Earth platform. You can check out her work at this link: AuthorSaraFHathaway.com During the podcast Sara pointed out the newsworthy weather events taking place around the globe yet it was not covered in the media. Here is the YouTube link to the show with Sara and Chin; https://youtu.be/zPRZmcAss5E


I was able to put together a second podcast this week to support a request made by a few HFS Patriots. If you have read my books or attended any of my training classes I often mention my digital football bag. The purpose of the digital football and bag is to protect you and your family in this ever changing world from criminals, natural and manmade disasters. You can check it out at this link: https://youtu.be/x5L0bj6YXyw


For the new Patriots you will find many helpful videos on canning, food preparedness, security and defense in depth, firearm safety discussions, canning meat, and other important topics.


If you have not already, please consider subscribing to the HFS YouTube channel. We would appreciate your consideration. Because I still work a full time day job, time is limited and I have not been able to set up a routine schedule for recording and posting videos yet. Thanks for hanging with me. Share the link with family and friends. Thanks to everyone who subscribed in the past week few weeks.


HFS Mobile Training:


If you would like HFS to come to your community to conduct training classes or speak on the importance of preparedness feel free to contact me.


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


Hope for Survival books: You can obtain information on the two HFS books at this link: Survival, Preparedness, Disaster Management for individuals or family (hopeforsurvival.com)


Hope for Survival - How Food, Water, Shelter, and Security Could Save Your Life (Book 1)

Hope for Survival - The Mindset (Book 2)


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


Have you noticed just how fragile we are as humans? Have you noticed how opinionated humans can be when family is involved? Many would probably believe the human family is one of the most treasured and protected things in life. Many who do not have a family often desire and feel left out. Many American families are grounded in the home, faith, rules, morals, respect, and the things that contribute to family values. Right?


I have witnessed some of the most troubling signs of the breakdown of family during this Covid-19 ordeal the past 18 months. Sicknesses, death, families unable to visit or spend holidays together due to travel restrictions. Family members having to say goodbye to another member over the phone because of hospital restrictions and rules. Children missing out on the most valuable years in mental development because of distant learning. Shall I continue?


I was recently speaking with two well respected Patriot men who are devout in their faith, family, and holding the family model together. I have known both men for ten years or longer. Hard working family men who live a simple creed of faith, family, and country. What these men recently shared with me separately, but the same message, is extremely troubling because it is probably the case in many other families I would believe.


Both of these men opted to not be vaccinated, which is a personal choice to me. I made my decision for me and I don't hold another person's choice against them. In each case, each man told me one of their adult children (vaccinated) told them they are responsible for all the people dying and they should be taken out and shot. Yes, you heard me right. Shot. It is extremely sad to hear this because I respect both of these Patriots and know how hard they work for their family and community. I think of these stories often and wonder how many families already suffered irreparable damage over Covid-19. I could get in to the politics of it but I won't because that is not why I am sharing this story.


We would like to believe a family could stand the test of time and everything it faces through the years. I fear many things families are encountering today are not repairable. One may forgive another but it does not mean they forget and does the weakened bond mend. I can not speak for these men and what they feel. It just reminds me of something I shared to the HFS Zoom Group a few weeks ago. We will probably see a time in the near future where the vaccinated vs the unvaccinated will be weaponized to further turn people against people.


Next .....


A HFS Patriot sister passed this information to me and requested I share it with others. I was unaware of this program but for those impacted by the loss of a loved one via Covid-19 or related illnesses this could really help out. Did you know that FEMA will assist families with funeral cost for family members who die with a Covid-19 cause of death? Check it out at this link: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov Check it out and share with loved ones, friends and neighbors.


Next .....


Do you realize drinking clean water is far more important than food? That's right, it is. When the city water is shut down for any reason, what is your plan to replace your chemical laced water with clean water for your family? Bottled water? Well water? Water pumped from a nearby stream or creek?


I can tell you several stories from my past life in the military and troops ignoring simple golden rules on water. Even with different stories and causes the outcomes results are the same. A sick troop who is now down for the count for a few days. In a grid-down type situation how will this impact your plans?


So let us talk about water for this week's preparedness topic. Water is the most critical resource you must have almost immediately or else you will begin to break down and eventually you will start to fail as your organs start to malfunction and quit, then you will suffer from dehydration and eventually die. Most documentation states an adult must hydrate daily and no less than once per three days. Of course, this is based around your body side, condition you are in from the starting point, and your exertion level. You must also consider what you are consuming for food. When you eat and do not drink water, it takes internal fluids to process and digest the food you consumed. Avoid food when possible and definitely avoid salty food when you do not have water to drink. You can survive longer without food than water. Keep that in mind.


There are numerous circumstances why you could be without water. You may be stranded on the highway and have to walk for help. Do you carry water in your vehicle with you? Maybe you have water and energy snacks in a back pack? One can receive training on water and the many available means to procure and store water in the event you are without. The key you must remember and decide is if the water source is clean. If the water is not safe and you consume it, you will become deathly ill. If you do not get help, you could die. We carry at least two water cleansing methods with us at all times. This could be a filtered water bottle and water treatment tablets in our backpack. You must decide what works best for you.


Here are a few things to remember:


1. Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available.


2. If you don't have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through a clean cloth or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.


3. If you can't boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through a clean cloth or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1⁄8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.


4. If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.


You should always pay attention to public officials when they announce water warnings for your area. In times of crisis, follow advice from local officials. Local health departments or public water systems may urge consumers to use more caution or to follow additional measures.


Look for other sources of potable water in and around your home.


When your home water supply is interrupted by natural or other forms of disaster, you can obtain limited amounts of water by draining your hot water tank or melting ice cubes. In most cases, well water is the preferred source of drinking water. If it is not available and river or lake water must be used, avoid sources containing floating material and water with a dark color or an odor. Generally, flowing water is better quality than stagnant water.


Examine the physical condition of the water.


When emergency disinfection is necessary, disinfectants are less effective in cloudy, murky or colored water. Filter murky or colored water through clean clothes or allow it to settle. It is better to both settle and filter. After filtering until it is clear, or allowing all dirt and other particles to settle, draw off the clean and clear water for disinfection. Water prepared for disinfection should be stored only in clean, tightly covered, containers, not subject to corrosion.


Please ensure you read each tab below for important details about disinfection, how to choose a disinfection method, and 7 Steps to Emergency Drinking Water Disinfection.


Follow advice from local officials. Health departments or public water systems may urge consumers to use caution or to follow additional measures than the information provided here.


Choose a disinfection method.

Boiling and chemical treatment are two general methods used to effectively disinfect small quantities of filtered and settled water.


Boiling


Boiling is the surest method to make water safe to drink and kill disease-causing microorganisms which are frequently found in rivers and lakes.


These disease-causing organisms are less likely to occur in well water (as long as it has not been affected by flood waters). If not treated properly and neutralized, Giardia may cause diarrhea, fatigue, and cramps after ingestion. Cryptosporidium is highly resistant to disinfection. It may cause diarrhea, nausea and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than healthy individuals. Boil filtered and settled water vigorously for one minute (at altitudes above one mile, boil for three minutes). To improve the flat taste of boiled water, aerate it by pouring it back and forth from one container to another and allow it to stand for a few hours, or add a pinch of salt.

If boiling is not possible, chemical disinfection of filtered and settled water collected from a well, spring, river, or other surface water body will still provide some health benefits and is better than no treatment at all.


Chemical Treatment


When boiling is not practical, certain chemicals will kill most disease-causing organisms.

For chemical disinfection to be effective, the water must be filtered and settled first. Chlorine and iodine are the two chemicals commonly used to treat water. They are somewhat effective in protecting against exposure to Giardia, but may not be effective in controlling more resistant organisms like Cryptosporidium. Chlorine is generally more effective than iodine in controlling Giardia, and both disinfectants work much better in warm water.


Use non-scented household chlorine bleach containing chlorine compound to disinfect water.


Do not use non-chlorine bleach to disinfect water. Typically, household chlorine bleaches will be 5.25% available chlorine. Follow the procedure written on the label. When the necessary procedure is not given, find the percentage of available chlorine on the label and use the information in the following table as a guide. (Remember, 1⁄8 teaspoon and 8 drops are about the same quantity.)


If the strength of the bleach is unknown, add ten drops per quart or liter of filtered and settled water. Double the chlorine for cloudy, murky, colored, or extremely cold water.


Chlorine Disinfection


1% 10 drops per Quart - 40 per Gallon 10 per Liter

4-6% 2 drops per Quart - 8 per Gallon (1⁄8 teaspoon) 2 per Liter

7-10% 1 drop per Quart - 4 per Gallon 1 per Liter


If the strength of the bleach is unknown, add ten drops per quart or liter of filtered and settled water. Double the amount of chlorine for cloudy, murky, colored, or extremely cold water.

Mix the treated water thoroughly and allow it to stand, preferably covered, for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor. If not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, allow the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or pour it from one clean container to another several times.


You can use chlorine tablets to disinfect filtered and settled water.


Chlorine tablets containing the necessary dosage for drinking water disinfection can be purchased in a commercially prepared form. These tablets are available from drug and sporting goods stores and should be used as stated in the instructions.


When instructions are not available, use one tablet for each quart or liter of water.


You can use tincture of iodine to disinfect filtered and settled water.

Common household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit may be used to disinfect water. Add five drops of 2% U.S. or your country’s approved Pharmacopeia tincture of iodine to each quart or liter of clear water.


For cloudy water add ten drops and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.

You can use iodine tablets to disinfect filtered and settled water.


Purchase commercially prepared iodine tablets containing the necessary dosage for drinking water disinfection at drug and sporting goods stores. Use as stated in instructions.

When instructions are not available, use one tablet for each quart or liter of filtered and settled water to be purified.


Only use water that has been properly disinfected for drinking, cooking, making any prepared drink, or for brushing teeth.


Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water


Filter murky or colored water through a clean cloth or allow it to settle. It is better to both settle and filter.


Boiling is the surest method to make water safe to drink and kill disease-causing microorganisms which are frequently found in rivers and lakes.


To improve the flat taste of boiled water, aerate it by pouring it back and forth from one container to another and allow it to stand for a few hours, or add a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of water boiled.


When boiling is not practical, certain chemicals will kill most harmful or disease-causing organisms. Chlorine (in the form of unscented bleach) and iodine are the two chemicals commonly used to treat water.


You can use non-scented, household chlorine bleach that contains a chlorine compound to disinfect water. (Remember, 1/8 teaspoon and 8 drops are about the same quantity).


You can use tincture of iodine to disinfect filtered and settled water. Common household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit may be used to disinfect water.


Tincture of iodine. For cloudy water add ten drops and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.


If you prefer a more in-depth process for cleansing water please let us know. There are numerous home methods one can build to help support cleaning water.


Okay, lets move along to the news…

Preparedness News


1. From Bob Rodgers - Preppers Will - Securing The Best Wood For Fire And Shelter (prepperswill.com) - It is easy to assume one can burn wood if it is available. But, what is the best wood and how should one preserve it once it is cut or chopped?


2. From Linda Loosli - Food Storage Moms - How To Dehydrate Frozen Vegetables and Make Vegetable Powder - Food Storage Moms - I don't know if you have experienced dehydrated powdered anything but it is good stuff. Festus wife does a awesome blueberry type powder from the large annual blueberry pickings on their property. You simply shake it on cereal like a salt shaker and you have plenty of fresh blueberries. WARNING: Remember, you don't need a large amount to do the trick. If you use to much you will spend the day reading comic books on the throne.


3. From Prep School Daily - Prep School Daily: Antibiotic Chart to Guide Acquisition - This seems to be a hot topic these days. Just saying.....


4. From Laurie Neverman - Common Sense Home - How to Grow Elderberries for Food and Medicine (commonsensehome.com) - If you are growing a garden and fruit trees without elderberry bushes you should consider adding them to your resources.


5. From Jodi Torpey - Attainable Sustainable - Take Time to Grow Brussels Sprouts - Attainable Sustainable® (attainable-sustainable.net) - I can see the frowns on your face and the scrunched forehead at this moment. Yea, I know. Only grandma puts brussels sprouts on the table. Have you ever tried baked brussels sprouts? Cut them in half and then put a little sea salt and garlic on them and bake them for a bit. Yum Yum. Great healthy snack.


Other News -


1. From Rob Jenkins - American Thinker - Will Gen Z Save the World? - American Thinker - Would you be willing to accept the Gen Z way of thinking if it would save our nation? In this case is something better than nothing? (Thanks Festus for this submission)


2. From Mario Murillo - YOU ARE NOW A WARTIME PASTOR - Mario Murillo Ministries - Excellent read on the words of truth. If you have never read or listened to Pastor Mario Murillo I would encourage it. (Thanks Festus for this submission)


3. From John and Nisha Whitehead - The Rutherford Institute - The Rutherford Institute :: Constitution Day 2021: It’s Time to Make America Free Again | By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead | - Here is another excellent article from JW. I read his writings weekly or as posted and I often hear this voice in my head screaming "is anyone else listening to the call for freedom?"


4. From Gregg Hunter - USA Watchdog - America Being Taken Over by Communists – General Michael Flynn 9.11.21 | Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog - Great interview with Gen Flynn. Want to know his thoughts on Q? Check it out. If you are a regular follower to this website you should come to the conclusion that Gen Flynn and HFS had the same thoughts on it.


5. From Martin Armstrong - Armstrong Economics - Market Talk – September 15, 2021 | Armstrong Economics - A good friend in Huntsville, AL, turned me on to Martin Armstrong about ten years ago and I have to tell you, he was right. This gent and his website offers great daily information on the global and national economic news.


6. From N.C. Scout - American Partisan - Against All Enemies Foreign and Domestic, by NC Scout | American Partisan - Yea, I know, rank has its priority but I certainly have witnessed many troops court martialed for far less if the allegations are proven true.


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

That's all my Patriot brothers and sisters.

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. 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.


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.


We have Patriots with personal prayer needs and/or family members with prayer needs as well.


Please pray for our Patriot family in Central TN who's dealing with the loss of a Patriot husband, father and son-in-law. Christians and Patriots and long time supporters to HFS, the HFS family continues praying for this family. We are very sorry for your loss.

We pray for our Patriot brother in north Alabama who is currently going through the Covid-19 regiment. We pray for your journey to remain healthy.


Please pray for our Patriot brother in East, TN who is home now but still recovering from Covid-19 and pneumonia. Get well soon!!!


As we have prayer needs for answers to health and family matters we also have prayers of thanks for recent health answers and recoveries.


We all must pray strong and often for the citizens of our great nation. Many of our sisters and brothers are struggling daily with things they witness, encounter, and are surprised with out of the norm. Many times we are in unchartered areas, however, we still must keep our faith and focus on the big picture. Our prayers and faithful strength together will be required often to battle the evils being thrown upon all of us minute by minute.


As Patriots we must stay strong and never give up. Our home, community and nation needs us now more than ever. Stay focused on your local community and things that will impact you around the nation. Don't allow the events around you 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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