When we went to school we learned a lot of things to help us in - TopicsExpress



          

When we went to school we learned a lot of things to help us in our future lives and to keep us safe at all possible times. We had our fire drills and we had our earthquake drills. We were taught never to talk to or take anything from strangers including rides, and we were taught to copy down or memorize license plates of anyone who was suspicious looking. Though important lessons, there was one area that was never covered, unless you were in the Boy or Girl Scouts. That lesson was: Be Prepared. Living in an earthquake state, and in areas of other natural disasters, it should have been a natural segue into the art of being prepared, but it was not. When my husband and I lived for three years on the Island of Guam in the Marianas Islands during his Navy stint, we were humbled by a super typhoon that left our water undrinkable, and left our part of the island on the Naval base without power for four weeks. The roads were impassable, and there were no supplies to be had if they were. Because of my innate fear of what if, I had filled every container possible with water, bought a few candles with what was left of our meager pay, and started baking cookies like a mad woman. My neighbor was so weirded out by my behavior, (she had come over to talk about the impending storm), that she went home and started baking, too. Because of those cookies, our kids and the neighbors kids, had a food source. The meats in our freezers thawed almost all at once, so we wrapped them in foil and cooked them over sticks gathered in the surrounding boonies, and ate each one until they were no longer edible. The outcome could have been so much worse, but with the preparations we made, it was livable. I came upon this article, which I am copying onto here, written by an ex-Marine, advising us to prepare ourselves in the advent of war. Though that is his reason for writing it, I find it holds weight with the subject of natural disasters, and he also tells of living through Hurricane Katrina and the behavior of the people around him. It is really a noteworthy article, and in the spirit of all our grade school training, it is a lesson that is long overdue for most of us. All my love to you, Carolyn Jones Matusiewicz 08/12/2014News DC Gazette News: America Prepare For War…Things You Should Do, Part One…. Most of us remember those fire drills in school. That alarm would ring as we sat in class. Everyone was out of their seats, and we were headed outside. It was designed to prepare us not to scare us. What we needed to do in case of fire. We didn’t go home crying from worry. Our parents didn’t sit around worried it would happen. They went back to work knowing we were safe still knowing it could happen. Well it’s time for us to prepare for things that could happen. [When] This war comes we need to be prepared. It’s better to have something and not need it, than to need it and not have it. We can no longer sit around and count on others to be prepared. Each one of you just might save this country, because you were prepared. Imagine having no food, water, electricity, or gas, and plan from there. Many know what that’s like having experienced natural disasters in the past. Well this will become a man-made disaster if Washington doesn’t do something fast. Don’t wait for this to happen because it will be too late. You won’t have the luxury of groceries stores, and the things we take for granted. You are going to need food, water, batteries, candles, and even pet food for an adequate time. Some say six months so I would go with a year. Remember it’s hot in sept but still cold in September. You need fire wood,and plenty of ammo. If you live in the suburbs I would store a lot of things in the attic. Don’t advertise you are stockpiling food. If you get looted then you will have back up. They are counting on us starving and killing ourselves with panic. Let’s prove them wrong! Living in the gulf coast I have experienced community love and compassion. Hurricanes knock out power for days while neighborhoods pull together. Remember there is safety in numbers so get to know your neighbors. You look out for them, and they will look out for you. Many will not prepare themselves like a lot of you. The ones calling us paranoid will be the ones asking for help. Telling people I told you so will not help you tomorrow. Helping those around you, just might save your life. Some of you won’t make it home and you neighbor might save your kids. Your neighbor might not make it and you will save his. Plan for that when you stockpile food and water. Stockpile extra for those who failed to prepare. We are in this together, and all need to eat. Teach your kids who they can and can not trust. These will be the ones sharing your food if you don’t make it. During the first few days neighbors should consolidate resources. They should come up with schedules of who has watch. You all need to sleep but you need someone watching over you. I will help anyone who comes to me in need. I will fight anyone who thinks they will just take what they need. When hurricane Katrina was in the gulf we evacuated Houston. I was one of five million people sitting in that traffic. I was blown away by the compassion of my fellow Man. Normally it takes three hours to get to San Antonio. It took twenty-four hours with no water or gas. We were not prepared because it had never happened. We all thought if we got thirsty we could just run into a store. The few stores open had nothing left. I witnessed people sharing with strangers what they had. We were not checking green cards, and we all got through it together. Every race, religion, and financial status was on the freeway that day. The size of your wallet couldn’t get you out. The point is money will buy you nothing if this war erupts. But our love for one another will save us, if we pull together and protect each other’s kids. There are those who will say I am paranoid and delusional. Every day I wake up praying they are right. Tomorrow when I wake up and give my thanks to God. I will say thank you Father for once again I was wrong. But even if I am wrong, I pray each of you will read part two, just in case one day I am right… God Bless each and everyone. Semper Fi, Shep. (Author: Michael Shepard Born August 27, 1967. Raised in Selma Alabama, and grew up in Pasadena Texas. After graduating high school I served nine wonderful years in the Marines. My loyalty is to God, Country, family in that order. What I write is my opinion and not persuaded by anyone else. I believe complaining about the way things are get us nowhere! We need to start sharing thoughts and ideas for our future. Yesterday is in the books and I believe there is hope for our future. I don’t care what color of skin, the Church You attend, or your lifestyle choices. You are all loved by God, important to God, and We are All important to this Country.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 21:57:16 +0000

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