Heart of a Patriot

I love Texas. There is something extraordinary about our state. It may be our geography, our historic struggles for independence, our ancient heroes, our way of thinking, these all speak to a different creed of people. This creed is not defined by our race, religion, politics, or education. This creed is illustrated in our passions, our faith, our vision of the future, our interaction with our families and our neighbors. The collective mindset of Texans has historically been displayed at Goliad, San Jacinto, and Washington on the Brazos. More recently it has been displayed at our world class hospitals, our leadership in the nations manned space flights, our energy producing abilities, our willingness to tackle difficulties on our own, without the permission of or with subsidies from the federal government. Immigrants to our state are often surprised at the difference.

Our love of freedom and liberty has caused many to give their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the good of this nation and our state. We have a history of taking what resources we have and preparing for the worst, and prevailing against what seems to be insurmountable odds. From the Alamo to the great Galveston hurricane, from the Texas City Van Camp explosion to the Challenger disaster we have examples of Texans prepping and responding to disasters.

Our day is no different, many Texans today look at the global and federal horizon see stormy weather ahead and are making preparations. Our world is filled with conflict and perplexing questions. The manipulation of our economy has created an environment that breeds uncertainty and fear. Politics are disgusting, shallow, and impotent. Right and wrong have been forgotten. Good is called evil and evil is called good. Seemingly our nation is permanently divided. We have no assurance that the leaders of our nation, businesses, unions, educational institutions, churches, will do what is right. Selfishness, greed, immorality, hatred, and have created a society that is unsustainable. As Abraham Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Often the public is ignored by the indifference and hubris of our leaders who believe they know better than the unwashed masses. We have failed to be a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

I know I am not alone! You see it too, don't you? Trouble is on the horizon and our families, churches, businesses, institutions, and constitutional government are in the crosshairs. It seems these sorts of times try the souls of every generation. This is our challenge. How we respond will define who and what we are, and determine the future of our children and grandchildren. Our preparation must be carefully planned but not limited to the physical needs of our bodies. Our preps must also include a understanding of what will arise from the ashes of national collapse. We must begin the strengthening and stabilization of our hearts and souls by educating ourselves to what our preparations will accomplish. I do not want to simply survive so that I or my family will be slaves of an all powerful state. I was born free, I will live free, or I will die free.

So from the spirit of historic Texans we should take a lesson in preparation. Probably the first great lesson of preparation in Texas was taken by the brave men and women who would not abandon the Alamo. They faced great opposition, ridicule, isolation, deprivation, and lack of supplies, inadequate medical care, and the likelihood of death. However bleak their situation was, there was a cause. Liberty and freedom were more important than their safety.

So at a Catholic mission in the wilderness of central Texas they made their preparations. Lines of communication were established, food and water were stockpiled, bandages and medicines were created, guns, cannons, and knives were ensured to be in working condition, the battle field and walls were prepared, the gates were strengthened, and the shaken hearts of all were stabilized. Their preparations and fortifications would give settlers in the east time to escape Santa Anna's army. The longer they could occupy that stone and adobe church the more time the forces of the Republic of Texas could regroup to fight another day.

Today like the patriots of the Alamo we are making preparations. I truly hope that our preparations do not lead to conflict. However those preparations will change you. They will lead you to live a different life than your care free, materialistic neighbors. In our response to the approaching storm of our generation we consider every means of survival.

• Food (gardens, canning, storage)
• Water (an independent source)
• Security (that protects you and your family)
• Currency that will maintain value
• A community of like minded preppers
• Medical needs
• Energy and fuels (off grid, solar, wind, and thermal)

The greatest preparation in the coming crisis is not physical, although that preparation is important. The greatest preparation occurs in your mind, purposes, and goals. The heart of the prepper should be the same as the heart of the patriots of the Alamo. It’s that attitude that made Texans great in the past and will make Texans extraordinary in the future.

In the months to come, I will offer some simple suggestions that may aid you in your preparations.

CK in Southeast Texas