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Writer's pictureButch Erskine

Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #51

Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #51


Good morning!


Thanks everyone for stopping by to read this week's Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #51. We are one week away from our 1st year anniversary at Hope for Survival. I know many of you joined this journey at the start. We appreciate your time and support Very much. It has been an amazing learning experience as we put this site together.


What a crazy week. I thought last week was upside down. Wow. Hopefully we are all here again to share a few minutes together. The coffee is fresh so load your cup or grab some hot tea. We are practicing virtual social distancing so relax and enjoy some time. Enjoy! I tried to get Ms. Lucy to make us some zero calorie virtual Belgian waffles but that seemed to fail. Maybe next time?


I posted the audio clip from my radio interview on WTKI, Huntsville, AL, to discuss Preparedness. It is about 15 total minutes. It is posted on HFS video page and HFS YouTube channel if you would like to listen. As time permits, I will try and post short training type videos to help assist folks with some basics of Preparedness. Security, Communication, Water, Shelter and such. Check it out when you have time. Subscribe to the site if you desire. Bring family and friends.



I need to mention a couple of items really quick before we go find out which hole the rabbit is hiding in.


Complete - March Madness HFS Donation Drive – Ms. Lucy and I want to give a huge thanks of appreciation to those who donated to the HFS Donation Drive. It was the first time we have conducted a donation drive for the HFS site and we are very pleased with the overwhelming kindness and giving. Thank you very much for your support and generosity.


Hope for Survival 1st Anniversary website fun….. Let’s do something fun to celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the HFS Website. Fun!!!! We like fun, right? I heard a rumor Festus has been practicing his Elvis act. Relax Festus, it has been a tense week. Back to the contest, this is wide open and anyone who reads the website can participate.


During the next week I would like for those interested in participating to draft an article for submission to the Hope for Survival team for review. On Saturday, April 11, 2020 (Week 52) we will announce a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winner if enough folks participate. Your name will be protected and not posted. I will only share your submission with your approval. There will be prizes. I have a box of goodies that I purchase throughout the year to use as prizes at the end of my classes at Heritage Life Skills. I will probably use some of the goodies from it, except for the 1st Place Prize. Okay, 3rd place will be a $25 gift card, 2nd place will be a $50 gift card, and 1st place will be a $100 gift card. If you want or plan to participate please send me a quick email letting me know and title the message HFS Anniversary contest. Thanks.


The topic I want you to address is to tell us how the HFS website and information has aided and/or helped your Preparedness efforts in some way. Telling us you are more motivated is great. But you need to tell us what you accomplished with the motivation? How has it helped you in building plans? Has it helped change you personally? Share how you are helping and encouraging others to start preparing, and why. If you need further clarity just message me. I know without a doubt you are a thinking group of very smart individuals. I know this from the emails you send to me. This is not a talent contest or writing contest for grammatical skills. This is about you and your preparedness growth.


If the supporting authors would like to participate feel free. This is a great chance to share your thoughts, lessons learned and have fun. Let me tell you, do not use “I don’t like to write” as your excuse. I would guess at least 5 of the 8 guest authors will tell you when I first approached them, they said “I can’t write” or “I don’t like to write” and guess what? They now tell me they enjoy writing but they just have trouble picking a topic.


So, bottom line, start drafting and email us your product by Thursday, April 9th. That gives you basically 6 days to think about it and 1 day to write it. Ha. Just pretend you are posting on Facebook and put a title on it. Make it fun!!!


Time is precious so let's move ahead .......


HEALTH ALERT: The Coronavirus awareness level should have increased during the recent weeks. The infected numbers are still sky rocketing and deaths the same. We just suffered our first 24-hour period where over 1,000 deaths occurred in America. Like I have said previously, there is no need to panic but folks should remain ALERT to their news and surroundings as well as guidance from the national leadership. Maintain your social distancing as a priority. If you are healthy count your blessings. Here is the link to my weekly C-Virus update posted on Wednesday of each week. https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/post/covid-19-coronavirus-update-april-1-2020?siteRevision=17


Here is some non-CDC approved Coronavirus training for your pleasure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_tEdQvFcc&feature=youtu.be It was important to share that bit of guidance. Lastly, Festus sent this down from the mountain on how the social distancing is working out for him. I asked if him and his family remained healthy and intact and he sent this back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmUXntGlqFI&feature=youtu.be I would take that as a yes. Remember, keep grounded, don’t panic, and take a deep breath.


TRAINING: I don’t know about you, but I love training. Anything and everything to improve my skills, thinking, and ability to do task better in smarter ways. With the cancellation of Heritage Life Skills 2020, which is a great event, I will be doing some training type podcast and posting on the HFS YouTube channel for your watching pleasure. I will offer some of the basic framework and concepts to the subject being discussed, however time constraints will force a briefer version to in-resident training.


Zoom Video Teleconferencing - I would like to start a once per week, conference call type set up using Zoom. I participated in an event this week with like minded individuals using Zoom and it was easy, clear in video and audio, and worked out great. Each person has download Zoom on their computer or phone, and then let me know if you want to participate in the event that I set up. I will then email that person or group the meeting ID number and they simply load that meeting ID number in to the Zoom event registration box and they are entered in. So, as an example, let’s say I have scheduled a group video teleconference for Sunday at 5 pm EST, I will then email anyone with zoom who wants to participate the meeting ID ahead of the event. Then, at 455 pm EST on Sunday, they would go to the zoom site and enter the ID I provide to them and then we could hang out and chat about preparedness and how things are going. It allows for social distancing so its an easy way to be safe and still learn and share. If you are interested please let me know via email ASAP. By the way, it’s free.


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


NOTE: Opinions shared in this newsletter are just that, opinions and nothing more. Read at your own risk. The owner and authors of this site are not responsible for hurt feelings or thin-skinned readers. We do our best to show restraint and respect to the best extent possible. We 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. 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…remember the famous words of General Joseph Stillwell, ”illegitimis non carborundum!!” (Don’t let the bas-turds grind you down)


Okay, lets get moving forward…


Thoughts for the week


Ms. Lucy and I decided a couple weeks ago to grab our “stuff” and head east to our eastern TN home to ride out the virus and any other impacts of the virus. Anyone who said teleworking is easier than going to the office is easier should have their head examined. But, through technology and lots of patience we are able to continue doing the nations work and call to duty. How long this takes is unknown. we must plan for the long haul and pray for the short to mid term length. My gut tells me mid to late summer as the best outcome. I don’t have a magic ball so we must plan for the long haul. So should you.


Next…


Teleworking starts around 5 AM EST. I connect my government laptop and start pulling charts and Covid 19 numbers impacting the nation and a few specific states. It is important information that someone is using at some location out of my site. I don’t know the person who uses the data. I’m inputting numbers yet I feel so far away. I find myself drifting away in thought as I admire the beauty of the sun rising from the east over the lake and hills.


Where Bravo Echo works, writes, and talks to Wilson.

Life changes as the sun lights up my view. In ways it’s like being on an island. Sometimes I feel like Tom Hanks must have felt stranded on the island. Granted I do have lots of squirrels running and playing as the sun rises before my eyes. It’s spectacular to watch. Sometimes I wonder if I should name one particular squirrel “Wilson” as he just hangs around not really serving a purpose it seems. Here I am in a small TN town that hasn’t awaken or perked up to life on this day. Will it be any different than yesterday or tomorrow? I don’t know. No one seems to be paying attention to the numbers I am seeing of infected humans and many who will die. Do they realize hundreds of people, just like them, are dying and they didn’t even see the virus coming? Yet here I am inputting the numbers because they are important to someone. Many of the numbers used to be in one category but have been moved to the deceased category. I don’t know them but I spend time moving them from category to category. But in my morning task I must move them from file to file in a timely manner simply as a number.


There are moments in my morning routine when I catch myself watching the squirrels play happily. Maybe subconsciously I am focusing on the squirrels to not think of the dead listed as numbers. As I spend each morning with the joyful four-legged critters running and jumping tree to tree, I see Wilson just hanging around like I am doing at that moment. Just waiting on the nameless humans being moved from file to file. Then I see the icon popup on the screen telling me my file upload is completed. Time to move to another task. No more infected and deceased files today. They are gone but the squirrels remain. I’m thankful they are around and I can enjoy them. That means I’m not one of the nameless numbers in the file. (wink) We do have lots to be thankful for, even in trying times like the ones we could see ahead.


Next…


A first!!! I was out grabbing some items to contribute to a small garden and stopped by Wal Mart to survey the parking lot then take a quick stroll inside. I have never been to a Wal Mart on a Friday afternoon to find the parking lot half empty at 1 pm. I parked and watched the adjusted entry point and procedures to try and keep some social distancing with the customers. The aisle’s seemed to have been raided at some point earlier because the workers hurried to restock the shelves. I suppose folks got out early to shop. I was surprised to find no limits on eggs, bread, or milk products. This is a good sign, so far.


Next...


Several folks over the past week sent me emails and pictures with road blocks and closures at state lines. If you plan to travel or take a day trip you should make sure your route is open before you depart home. Like with everything else, have one or more alternate routes available for your options. Hopefully you are traveling with a day bag or ready bag in case something happens to delay your trip or cause you to end up at a location you didn’t plan to travel.


Next ...


During these trying times of change and adjustments, we must also remember our children or grandchildren recognize something is different. Why are my parents staying at home daily? Why are we not going place we normally visit? Why can we not visit our family members at their home? Why can I not go do my regular after school activities? How come I can’t go play with my friends up the street? The list is endless. These young hearts and minds are fragile and need answers. If you haven’t yet, you may want to think about what to say and then take the time to keep them informed to the best possible extent. If you haven’t been doing so, maybe include them in some of your preparedness steps you are planning and taking around your home. Maybe give them task they can handle to help them feel included. Most importantly, be ready to answer the tough questions they may pose to you.


Next...


Have we done enough? As we progress forward in to unchartered territories in America and consider possibilities we may face, are we ready to face the struggles we witness in our own homes, from family or from our fellow Americans? Long term unemployment of family members, neighbors and friends? Small business owners having to shut their doors short term or possibly for good and who must terminate employment of their employees. Some within government are saying the nation could reach a 50% unemployment rate before its over. Have you decided how you will handle it when your family, friend or neighbor knocks on your door? Oh, and they may be infected. We have had this discussion many times over the past months so I ask, have you decided how you plan to deal with it? I was recently asked how one should deal with it and my best answer is it will be a case by case situation. Just remember, each choice we make, could have good or bad consequences. We can take the path of least resistance and put our head in the sand or stand up and be ready to face possibly realities in front of us. Just remember, everyone needs hope at some level. Think about it.


Next ...


Okay, the world awaits us, let's move ahead.


Preparedness News


1. From Sara Tipton – Ready Nutrition - https://readynutrition.com/resources/when-the-dog-food-runs-out-this-is-what-to-feed-your-pet_26032020/ - It is amazing how many folks spend big bucks taking care of their pets….but forget to prepare for their pets.


2. From JW Rawles – Survival Blog - https://survivalblog.com/jwrs-firearms-market-trend-predictions-2020-2025/ - This is a very good rollout out of possible future trends in the firearm market.


3. From Third World Austere Wilderness and Third World Medicine - https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/3b311a_6ef34fffc73447ce9a4d25a4d441b662.pdf - This file is probably to large to print at 614 pages, however I would save it on a memory stick or external drive and also make a back up file. This document is loaded with awesome medical information and guidance.


4. From Bob Rogers – Preppers Will - https://prepperswill.com/solar-powered-radio/ - Good information on solar power radio. At the end of the day, two of the last sources for power we may have is wood and the sun!!! Solar is a great source to consider.


5. From Bernie Car – Apartment Prepper - https://apartmentprepper.com/coronavirus-supply-sources-when-your-grocery-is-cleaned-out/ - I would guess almost everyone has experienced the empty store or store’s with empty aisles. Do you have a backup plan when your “one” doesn’t have a “two” plan? Huh? Remember, one is none and two is one.


Other News


1. From J.D. Tuccille – Reason.com - https://reason.com/2020/03/27/pandemic-related-unemployment-and-shutdowns-are-a-recipe-for-social-unrest/ - Patriot brothers and sisters, we don’t know the future or what is ahead of us, but if the forecasted numbers are close to what we read it is going to be rough.


2. Tyler Durden – Zero Hedge - https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/scope-pain-immense-chinas-consumer-default-tsunami-has-started - The first wave we witness in America will be the unemployment caused nationally, then the wave of the global sufferings from the virus will hit the nation. If this wave pans out, it is going to be very painful with long lasting damage.


3. From John Stossel – The Patriot Post - https://patriotpost.us/opinion/69458-the-red-tape-pandemic-2020-03-25 - None of this should come as a surprise to anyone.


4. From JohnnyMac – The American Partisan - https://www.americanpartisan.org/2020/03/negative-90-roi-congress-spends-2t-to-give-out-208b/ - Excellent read. Worth the time to get a clear picture and understanding to where the $2Trillion Dollars will be going and how it works or doesn’t work…in our favor.


5. From Sara Tipton – Ready Nutrition - https://readynutrition.com/resources/is-the-second-wave-of-covid-19-already-here_24032020/ - Are you familiar with or have you heard about the second wave? And possibly a third wave? Wave of what? The virus.



7. Justin Pavoni – Ron Paul Institute - http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/peace-and-prosperity/2020/march/30/coronavirus-ten-things-to-think-about/ - These are worth reading, one by one, and take note of No 4. Crazy? I’ve heard of two stories in the past week of individuals being turned in by neighbors who claimed to be friends, called and turned in the individual for working as a private contractor doing work on the outside of a home.


8. Great Game India - https://greatgameindia.com/italian-state-media-in-2015-exposed-chinese-biological-experiments-with-coronavirus/ - This is a very good read that goes in to the history of the Chinese experiments with bats involving humans.


Drum roll........... That's all my Patriot brothers and sisters.


Thank you for your time to read the PENL. I hope you found something to help you in some way. Keep your feet and minds grounded as the world continues towards an unknown destination. Keep the faith and continue doing great things for yourself and others. Keep the emails flowing. Bring new friends and help spread the word on Preparedness. I appreciate your sharing the great things you are doing with your plans and progress forward. Keep chugging ahead.

Remember to find someone who is down and out and do something to give them HOPE.


Hope – “Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.” Elie Wiesel


Due Out - Don’t forget to shoot me a note if you plan to participate in the Anniversary Writing contest and then mark your calendar to submit your prize-winning article by Thursday April 9th.


Due Out – If you wish to per take in a Zoom Video conference and have or have downloaded the Zoom App, don’t forget to let me know. This is a great opportunity while we are all locked-in to still get together and continue our learning, sharing, and communicating.


Please keep our great nation, our elected leaders, military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. I know several of our readers would appreciate you adding them to your prayer list as health and worldly struggles remain. We give thanks for the positives in our life. We should also pray for the citizens and world leaders infected and making decisions to deal with the Covid 19 - Coronavirus. Please pray for the citizens around the world who are sick and not recovering as easily as others. Please pray for individuals losing their jobs and who didn't prepare in advance. Please say a special prayer for one of our Patriot sisters whose mother and father both passed away within a ten-day period recently. I pray for each and every one of our Patriots. May we all be protected from the growing evils surrounding and attacking our families daily. Amen. Thank you.


Keep charging and have a safe week. Focus, focus, focus. Always remember, we are blessed people.


Blessings,

Bravo Echo Out,



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