Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #296
- Butch Erskine
- May 31
- 17 min read
Greetings and welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #296. Thanks for stopping by for this month's edition. It is June 2025. Thanks for being here and checking out the PENL. I know a few of you loyal readers can say you have checked in for every edition to date. Thank you for your support.
June will be an exciting month for Ms. Lucy and me as we journey to Alaska for a much-anticipated opportunity. We will fly to Seattle and catch a Princess cruise line. for seven days of beauty and enjoyment. This is sort of a retirement trip, but the bigger reason is once I set foot on ground in Alaska I can claim having been to all 50 states in our great nation. The military really afforded me the opportunity to visit many of the states and then my added love for America I continued the adventure. For years I believed I also needed to visit Maine to complete the journey then I realized I had visited Loring AFB, Maine back in 1985 on my return trip from Saudi Arabia. So, I am really pumped for this opportunity. I owe a huge thanks to Ms. Lucy for the hours she has put into the planning before we ever leave. Thank you, Ms. Lucy.
I want to tell you the adjustment to a monthly PENL has been a positive step for me at this time. Between working full time over the first 5 1/2 years and posting weekly, many of my own preparedness and personal needs took a backseat. Then I retired at the end of July 2024, I almost immediately went to support Hurricane Helene onsite. The majority of support to Helene ended in February 2025 though HFS is still supporting through continued donations that to date totals around $33,000. Thanks to everyone in HFS and outside HFS who supported this effort. Since the spring of 2025 I flipped my garden to add new compost and dirt, post and new fencing, and mulch around the paths. The new fencing combined the garden area and berry bush area to one enclosed space. My brother-in-law and nieces husband visited several weeks ago and while I was out teaching a HFS class at a local church they surprised me and put in all the fence posts and most of the fencing. This was a great help and much appreciated. I still need to adjust the post and netting over my larger blueberry bushes to protect from birds. I'm also working on a parking pad for our camper to make it more time beneficial to eliminate the need to control growing grass and weeds.
Speaking of my brother-in-law. I want to share something really cool with you, He owns and runs Grace Acre Farms in central WV. He is a career mechanic and has owned his own business, Almost Heaven Auto Repair where he not only repairs automobiles, but he also barters for payment when a customer can't afford to fix their vehicle. His longtime dream was to own a farm with land and about ten plus years ago he went forward to find and purchase land. He still owns his mechanic business and a few other properties; he now raises cattle and pigs. He recently got rid of his chickens. Not long ago her perused another opportunity offered by the WV Department of Agriculture. At no cost to him, he received a high tunnel. After putting it together and prepping the soil and installing irrigation, he can now garden year-round. Here's a few pictures for you to see the size of this indoor greenhouse, This is his first summer with the high tunnel and he is already pulling produce this early in the year.
Imagine having this capability to feed your large family or a community garden year-round. This could be a total game changer in some cases.
I was inside the beginning stage of the high tunnel in Dec 2024, and it was over 80 degrees just from the sun heating the roof and sides.
I want to give a shout out to our HFS brother at an unknown location in northern Alabama who quietly continues doing great things for his own property and his surrounding community. I had the honor of meeting this true silent professional about ten or more years go when he and his wife attended the first preparedness class I taught back around 2013 or so. Since then, I have learned a great deal from him and developed a bond of brotherhood that I consider priceless. In recent years, he is using trees from his property to create lumber with his own sawmill and then applying long lost skills to build greenhouses, Gazebo, sheds, and currently a barn. Not the easy quick way through nails and hardware purchased, but through time, labor, and acquired skills. Making his own oak pegs and joinery to hold the 300-pound beams together, these structures will stand long past our life span. Great job, brother.
Ms. Lucy and I took a break and went camping for four days on the Cumberland Plateau. It was the first time this year we've had a chance to get the camper out. We experienced mostly rainy weather but still managed to enjoy our time away. It was great cooking breakfast on the outdoor kitchen and getting in at least one dinner over the campfire. Once the camper was set up, leveled, and all starting task completed, it was important to get the first cup of campfire coffee. Because a fire wasn't started yet I used the Magellan single eye burner and a propane cell to make the first pot in minutes. It was great. Dinner was rib-eye steaks cooked over the fire with charred Dale's marinade. We wrapped sweet potatoes and corn on the cob in foil, and I placed them in the chars of the fire to cook. It was very tasty and a great way to start the camping trip. It rained all day on Memorial Day which hampered any outdoor plans, but we spent the day with Festus and Mrs. Festus for some burgers and fresh Wisconsin brats. It was great spending some quality time together chatting, laughing, and sharing thoughts of past times and events. While we enjoyed the day together, I thought to myself how over the fifteen years of our sister and brotherhood, we have also aged and now our time together becomes more meaningful. Not that it wasn't before, we just didn't give much thought to the fact we are all older and moving a bit slower. God has been so good to all of us in so many ways.
ATTENTION-ATTENTION-ATTENTION - HOT-HOT-HOT
Heads up and focus required. This is one of the best post Helene voices I've heard yet. Imagine you and your family in a disaster and hear what this gent is saying. He was in Asheville and survived. Hear what he is saying for you to prepare.
Folks, the world is a dark place and not getting any better. Christians shouldn't expect it to get better, right? With each passing day we must be stronger and lean into our faith as much as possible. Look up, not out, and keep the faith.
Let us move along.
Communications: You can now follow HFS social media on the following outlets:
Facebook – Hope for Survival -Join us for daily posts on preparedness.
YouTube Channel – Hope for Survival
HFS Thursday Zoom Rally - Zoom Rally #145 was conducted on May 15, 2025. Dr. Amanda Cartwright was the guest speaker teaching Herbal Survival Medicine. Thanks to Dr. Amanda for her time and everyone who attended. This is one of the hottest and most attended topics available. You can follow Dr. Amanda on YouTube at the following link. Survival Homestead Teaching Farm (SHTF) - YouTube
HFS YouTube. - Four new videos posted for your viewing.
How do you prepare if you don't know the threat you are preparing to survive against?
If you have not, please consider subscribing to the HFS YouTube channel by hitting like and then subscribe. Connect and give me a shout. Again, hit subscribe and share with family and friends.
Guest and Newcomers
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
Hope for Survival books and HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents -: 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)
HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents - We just restocked the HFS Thumb drive and have them available now. Follow this link and you will see the add at the top of the page. Blog | Survival (hopeforsurvival.com)
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.
Thoughts for the month - Wow! Another month and I have to ask myself what in the world is happening to America. Shortages, division, government inability to move the nation forward without seeing so many things requires immediate attention and guidance. Have you noticed how many bad storms we continue having, especially around the southern U.S.? We are thankful our HFS family in Huntsville, AL, TN, and KY all survived the recent rain and tornadoes okay. My buddy Wilson stopped by to get an update and immediately fled to work harder to prepare by putting away more food for the winter months ahead. He asked me what is going to give or be the breaking point and I responded with a grim comment, "it is up to the individuals and not government to change course for family and community survival and preparedness, however I believe many are still paying attention to the wrong things."
The aliens have yet to land (so we are told) and many are still walking West to prove the earth is flat. Liberals got caught cheering to the news of former President Biden's cancer news. President Trump has been labeled "Satan" while we hear discussions of AOC being the frontrunner for the left in 2028. Food shortages grow while prices soar to even purchase food. Human rights violations and freedom of speech attacks increase against Christians in blue states. Oh wait, the church and Christians are silent allowing the demonic movements to freely move at will. Imagine living in a country where 75% of the populace says they would rather live under Martial Law than through the growing crime throughout the country. That would be France. There's so little going on (eye roll) in America that one of our privileged minority elected officials is talking reparations again. How about you take off your skin color and work for all Americans vs those looking to bring down our great nation. How about you protect America and her people for a change. Foreign nations are posting travel warnings to their people to not travel to America because of crime and danger. WHAT? That is correct.
I heard mention of a new term being circulated called "black fatigue." The nation is going through black fatigue. We are tired of all the black this and that dragging down our nation. Free this and free that. Murderers getting released from prison and jail by leftist attorneys. I could go on, but I want to clarify something. I think the title is wrong and it is not "black fatigue" but ghetto fatigue. This comes in all skin colors. It's not specifically a single race or skin color. This problem has been used by many individuals and organizations for their own agenda. It is also hereditary. Conditions of suppression because ghetto life is maintained over the years from being poor, neglected, and a mindset of things can't be better. Individuals breed and get groomed to continue the ghetto lifestyle through crime, drugs, prostitution, gun running, thuggery, hate, broken homes, out of wedlock pregnancies, and more. This lifestyle has expanded into Hollywood, sports, music, education, and media. Today, crime has taken over and our justice system sides with criminals. The days of red, white, and blue, parades, and senior citizens walking in their neighborhood in the evenings is over. Instead, we have gang bangers and criminals looking for opportunities, Now that these people know the justice system is in their favor they move at will on their timetable hitting targets as desired.
Our nation spends billions of dollars per year aiding these problems with no discussion or plan to address the fact it's out of control. Politicians and society are terrified to speak out and address it. For millions in America, life moves so fast and as long as their child stays out of jail, passes classes, and avoids drugs then life is okay. Paying bills and providing food daily is the goal and each payday determines if the family is on course. In the meantime, the family teen is listening to rap and rage music representing race, thuggery, and an anti-system mentality. Then the school calls, new friends appear, and the teens attitudes has apparently changed towards parents questioning their authority. One home by one, society changes to what we see today. This is a very small approach to a deeper problem that no one has a desire to touch. Think about it, The system has created the problem and now society, churches, and local community leaders dare not speak in negative terms about it. These are people. Humans. They have rights, even when they are illegal. Anyone who can't see this is good vs evil problem will never get it and never will.
Let me ask you a question. It's just an observation but isn't it interesting how the trans movement of males competing in female sports seems to be amongst Caucasian beings? Why is this the case? Why are white male athletes feeling a need to compete against females by humiliating them in public and gaining negative attention? These are average talented males who can't compete at the male level, simply put. Why are so few professional athletes speaking out and why have we not witnessed male trans athletes moved on to compete in ladies' professional sports? We have witnessed major universities pushing diversity and white privilege, yet college athletics has been spared of this movement where the wide majority of stars are black. Diversity? Why do we witness all black athletic conference's where the athletes are all black, yet we have no all white conferences? Diversity? Before I retired, I witnessed diversity, and unqualified diversity hires leading mid to high level positions managing major billion-dollar contracts in the defense arena. There was no regard to the failures of these programs. Crickets. Nothing was said and the beat goes on.
What happened to people having goals to be better humans and leave a mark on mankind as having been someone who improves other humans and society in some way? The goal of raising quality children to do the same? People building a foundation of faith, family, and community to better life around us. We have people in movies, music, and sports making millions of dollars and all we see is their big homes, trips, and half naked bodies on social media. The power and influence to help fix inner city problems in Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and many other cities exist, yet they fail to make the effort. Children want to have a role model. Instead of a father or mother they choose rappers, athletes, and voices of opposition. Paint up the body with tattoos. Kneel for the flag. Speak out for diversity. Support white privilege and don't try to fix anything. Just go with the flavor of mainstream media and political direction when it fits the narrative. Not all of the people in these categories fit this narrative and those who speak out are silenced because it's a career crusher and career is before morals, integrity, family and helping build a better community through faith, hard work, and positive influence to be a better person and nation.
The system no longer represents the people who pay for it. We no longer groom honest leaders who desire going forth to work for and run the government. People no longer work to better families, communities and our nation and instead work to pad their pockets and then control society to a higher degree. Now through the rapid expansion and development of the internet which is almost a thing of the past because of AI, we have the rapid expansion of AI and something titled neuralink where developed chips will be placed in the brain to aid the blind and other handicaps. This is a good thing, right? With all good comes bad because there is constant evil lurking in the dark. What we don't hear much about is how neuralink will be tied to AI and controlling humans. Why is this bad? Insider intelligence is saying humans have already lost control of AI and it's not as simple as throwing a switch and shutting AI off.
This is the point where I shake my head and wonder how any American can honestly say the system is going to take care of them with everything that is going on. A system that has proven to not be prepared or show the ability to respond quickly to save lives. Adapt and adjust is not part of their ability. There's many awesome Americans working in critical jobs, but they are strangled by red tape, politicians, and a lack of leadership. Over the past ten years I have found that the majority of homes lack leadership as well. This may be why so many preparers lack in leadership ability and are mentally trapped in a belief the system really will prevail and come to the rescue.
The degradation of our nation has weakened us to a very low level of self-sustainment and survivability. The ability to know what to look for and what to do as a response is a must. Through a wide-open border, we now have an immediate threat of terrorism on the homeland. No one seems to see it except a few GWOT veterans, and our elected officials are ignoring the calls for addressing the problem. The threat continues and the system weakens allowing for a soft target and millions of vulnerable citizens. The populace has been groomed to believe the system is always alert and ready to counter and respond.
Speaking of soft targets, do you ever feel as though we have elected officials in our own United States government who holds the responsibility and authority to ensure all US citizens are afforded Constitutional rights, yet they do nothing close to their appointed role and what they have sworn to uphold. I believe it is not out of bounds and totally fair at this point to ask, is there any difference between a democrat or republican? I'm not giving up hope but I'm starting to feel more "lock her up" going on. The only reservation I have at this point is I do know investigations take lots of time and all dots must be performed 100% accurately. While we are on this topic, as much as I enjoy listening to the acting Director of ICE, Tom Homan because he always acts like a straight shooter and doesn't delay in responding. I would respectfully ask, "sir, in the first 180 days of the Trump administration, I have listened to many briefings you have conducted and watched many videos of ICE roundups of "illegals" being rounded up and deported. They mostly appear Hispanic or black in some cases. Why are we not seeing video of any illegal Chinese males on video. Are they being rounded up and if not, why? The US Intelligence Agencies all say China is the No 1 threat to America." Where are they and what are they doing? While we are on this chain of thought, has Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino already sipped the political Kool-Aid?
So here we are, different day and different faces and the same lame story. You are welcome to believe what you wish to believe. I'm simply telling you; it's not going to happen. I'm sorry. This is why HFS was started six years ago. I don't want to prolong this discussion but because of my past life I realized an effort must be made to educate and help citizens get prepared to be self-sustainable. My calling was spiritual. Many veterans during the same period also made efforts in some way to train citizens. It was called the GWOT movement. Or, the Global War on Terrorism movement. We all had served in uniform in some capacity during the 911 era or the Global War on Terrorism movement and recognized the same need in the homeland.
Time is going to tell us if our efforts paid off.
Let us move along.....
Preparedness News - This month's preparedness theme is "what will your decision be?' Why? We, as humans face so many potential difficult times and obstacles ahead that may or may not happen. The question is how will we react and respond if notified and are we skilled enough to detect possible threats and then react accordingly to stay left of bang?
It doesn't have to be an end of the world situation Many fail to respond to orders from state officials or even a governor to evacuate. Simply put, people are unresponsive because they have so little respect for authorities and/or their ego is much bigger than the disaster. Then we have the Christians who often freeze and become unresponsive and the only response they know is "the Lord will save me." In disasters I have responded to and worked, people are caught short with no plans or resources. They wait and wait on authorities to come to the rescue. Even some who are prepared fall short because they don't have a plan nor do they know what they have or how to use things they have put back. Preparing and being proactive to build a self-reliant insurance plan is not paranoia or even crazy. It's being responsible.
From Small Town Prepper - https://youtu.be/pGRcbv2S-zM?si=rDzc2mU-wJR38WhQ
Get that? From Reliable Prepper - https://youtu.be/N54EcFV_je8?si=A6biPgGciwmv0bbQ
The 3 AM knock at the door could be your biggest test. Can you make the correct decision without costing you your life? From Reliable Prepper - https://youtu.be/pGRcbv2S-zM?si=rDzc2mU-wJR38WhQ
From Preppers Edge - https://youtu.be/tIMaEXYKH8w?si=tck-vCMVrNjlEw8E
Are you prepared to make the critical decisions that someone must make during a disaster? From Outdoor Boys - https://youtu.be/PDPIfsm52T4?si=dNpAZvsl85oNMAZJ
From the Outdoor Boys - https://youtu.be/hi4Df_gJgkw?si=hw-7eBGcV6v6sOcM
Another great useful video from Luke. Why are these great? This could be in your backyard when you lose electricity for a day or longer.
Other News -
From Doron Keidar with Sara Adams - https://youtu.be/oPjm56xXpb4?si=m9AIdvVIM1S9hMsI
From Valuetainment - https://youtu.be/5z7N-ldmE8Y?si=sJzM8XFtt9vQDaye
Outstanding brief explanation of what happened and why 3. From Mario Murillo - WEARINESS AND DIVISION ARE HOLDING BACK OUR NATIONAL AWAKENING. - Mario Murillo Ministries - Outstanding subject that Festus and I discuss often over the years. (Thanks Festus, for this submission.)
4. From CapitalCosm - https://youtu.be/RXj_oLtbtgw?si=PsGVo38Ix-hyCk8b
Great interview with Martin Armstrong. I believe he is one of the brightest providing quality updates on the political and financial spectrum. 5.. From Shawn Ryan - https://youtu.be/FeVFs0dVcCc?si=f-dOG-QObtnt8EC5
Great interview with Tim Tebow. Such an uplifting human. This may open the eyes of some who still refuse to believe child trafficking. 6. From Tyler Durden - Zero Hedge - Who's Programming The AI, Mr. President? | ZeroHedge - Great question of much mystery. The thought alone is like reliving the closet monsters remembered from childhood, (Thanks Festus, for this submission.)
7. From Chuck Holton - The Hot Zone - https://youtu.be/hMqW6oLcDEM?si=-vL1c1TjKoqgbRlE
Just for fun -
While writing the newsletter and doing daily research for preparedness and other projects, I also take time to enjoy other podcasts. I thoroughly enjoy watching other types of survival videos with off-grid living, canoeing, and basic survival type videos. Aside from the enjoyment I find watching, one can also learn new skills and equipment. Over time I have chosen certain sites to follow and learn from and enjoy.
Here is a couple I wanted to share with you for your own enjoyment and learning. It also allows you to enjoy other parts of the world.
Xander Budnick - Xander Budnick - YouTube
Got to love Xander's sense of humor.
John from Lost Lakes - (2) Lost Lakes - YouTube
John takes his canoe places you will never see on most documentaries.
Outdoor Boys - (2) Outdoor Boys - YouTube - Luke and the Outdoor Boys has an amazing site with over 15 million followers. However, Luke has suspended podcast creativity for the time being because of privacy and security concerns for his family. Sooo, go enjoy the 500 awesome videos from all over the world.
Let us move along...
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.
Our HFS family has many prayers needs for health and positive uplifting. We love you all and continue praying for each of you.
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.
Please continue praying for the survivors of the Hurricane Helene disaster, the California wildfires, and the recent floods in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia. They have many needs and a long haul ahead to recovery.
As Patriots we must stay strong and never give up. Our home, community, and nation need 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 faith and hope. Remember we are a blessed nation, and we must continue to be great people today and make a better tomorrow. Keep charging.
Blessings,
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