The Bug-Out Pack Survival System

Bug-Out Bags are nothing new to military families stationed overseas. In an emergency, military dependents are expected to have such bags prepared and ready at a moment's notice in case of evacuation of non-combatant personnel stationed in US Armed Forces posts. Military commands provided a list of what should be in each individual bag and an extra duffel bag for supplies and clothing for small children.

For preppers, the content is a bit different in that wilderness survival gear is included and a special canine pack is prepared for the four-legged member of the family that includes rations of their food and water inside.

Hoping For a Better New Year Around the World

Wishing All a Very Merry Christmas

I wish all a Merry Christmas from the Old Glory Shoppe, and I would like to remind folks the reason for the season with this quotation:

"2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

NORAD Continues Tradition of Tracking Santa

At Maggie's Notebook, you can read about the history of NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command] that has been continuous since 1955, when CONAD (later renamed NORAD) began receiving phone calls from children to relay their Christmas wish list.

As time went on the tradition continued and today there is a website where anyone can track where Santa is on Christmas Eve and other goodies at the NORAD official site.
Every year they ask for volunteers to perform traditional duties at NORAD for Santa Claus, who has his own website.

Christmas: It is about Caring and its 'Ripple' Effect

 

"A simple act of caring creates an endless ripple"

One of my favorite Christmas songs is If Everyday Could Be Christmas. This video was about a birthday present, but it represents the spirit of Christmas, which should be the spirit 365 days.

To pass on good will and have the spirit of Christmas, one need not be a Christian or possess belief in any religion. It falls under the ancient golden rule, of which was encouraged by an influential person by the name of Jesus of Nazareth:

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. - [Book of Matthew 7:12]

The birth of that same person is honored today, continued many centuries later on a day called Christmas (Crissmas).

"A Soldier's Christmas" by Michael Marks

Got this poem in email from friend, originally published at Lighthouse Journal who found the author, so here it is - a poem about Christmas and pretty good.
Found at Viet Vet site entitled 

A Soldier’s Christmas by Michael Marks.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, 

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. 

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, 

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. 

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, 

Transforming the yard to a winter delight. 

   

Have Yourself A Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

Christmas is not just a holiday, nor is it just a time for Christmas Mass (derived Latin name of Christ Mass), but it is nothing tangible in the gist of this special holiday - it is time of uplifting spirits and hope. It is a time when we put aside the worries and strife of life that continues throughout the year, a time of family festivities and the feeling of good will. It is a spirit above and beyond the trappings of religious doctrine and religious rites. You do not have to even be a Christian to experience this holiday of joy that welcomes in a New Year, hoping it will be better than the last. It is no wonder that people wish that Christmas could be every day of the year.
Some holidays are melancholy, and so Christmas can be for those lonely and far away from home; or expierience an unfortunate tragedy - but the special spirit of Christmas can even touch those hearts - thinking of the good times, past and present.
I salute those military personnel, Christian or not, that have chosen to serve and be in places other than their home and family. I thank them for their service and hope that the next Christmas in the coming year brings them home, safely to their families to enjoy the fellowship that only a family unit can bring. May there be more blessings to all in this coming New Year. 

  Judy Garland sings to Margaret O'Brian ...

 

Christmas Turkey, English Style - Gordon Ramsay

Tradition to England and the UK country-states for Christmas dinner has been the goose. Depicted in the Christmas tale entitled A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens with main character Ebenezer Scrooge, the Christmas goose was a must have main dish. Americans have been serving turkey on holidays, especially Thanksgiving, since the 1600s when North America was colonized by the English.

Sometime after the English colonized North America, the American turkey, not found in Europe, was imported and raised for dinner tables. Eventually, the turkey pretty much took the place of the goose for Christmas dinner, especially after the Victorian era. 

The video following the recipe shows how Gordon Ramsay (has 24 restaurants worldwide) prepares and cooks his Christmas turkey that includes how to make his fabulous onion and bacon turkey gravy. Some families have turkey on both American holidays, while others serve lamb, roast beef, or ham for Christmas. In the UK, Thanksgiving Day is not celebrated, making Christmas the big feasting holiday.

History of the Winter Festival and Christmas

The United States, as a young nation, gathered traditions from the Old World, especially from Mother England and the United Kingdom. As a colony, British, Dutch and German traditions were intertwined in many colonial American communities beginning with the first traditions of Thanksgiving in remembrance of the first colonists and Native Americans. Christmas and New Year traditions is no exception.


In the British Isles, before Christianity became established, as in Rome and Constantinople. the trappings and basic festivity of what became the Twelve Days of Christmas it was the celebration of the Winter Solstice, a Celtic tradition complete with yule logs, holly, and other decorations and festivities. The modern tradition of a Christmas tree comes from Germany, Tannebaum.

Victorian Era: 1837 to 1901

Queen Victoria

Much has been written about the Victoria Era, a period of history named after Queen Victoria that lasted from 1837 to 1901 in England. It's culture, architecture and fashion extended to America as well. Indeed, it had become an international culture for a time.

It was a part of the Industrial Revolution that jump started Western civilization into the modern world with technology and innovation. Britain and the United States as well as other places in Europe were a part of the beginning of the industrial age. It brought good things and also brought bad things, like child labor. The world was changing and it was occurring quickly in terms of historical events. Science was unraveling mysteries and new discoveries and techniques were part of it in many areas of science that included medicine, archaeology, astronomy, et cetera. It also ushered in a period where people were interested in the paranormal, sometimes fascinated with not just death, but researching life after death.

It was a time of prosperity as well as poverty. Victorian writers wrote about the society, the paranormal, scientific and archaeological discoveries; as well as the series of inventions that took place during that period. Christmas traditional celebration and decorations were boosted during the Victorian era. Hollywood made films about the era with films like "Meet Me in St. Louis". It was during this era that Christmas cards were handmade and stationary companies started printing them for the season.

RECALL: Savage Arms B.MAG .17 Caliber Rifle Bolt

Savage Arms has announced a product safety recall for a limited number of B.MAG .17 WSM rifle bolts. It had been discovered that the bolt on some B.MAG rifles may contact the safety button and push it forward into the “fire” position. Savage has received no reports of accidents due to this problem, but the gunmaker has established a website (savagearms.com/recall/bmagbolt) and a hotline: 844-784-3301 – where customers can identify whether they own an affected firearm. Refrain from using Savage B.MAG rifles until it is determined whether a retrofit is necessary. Only B.MAGs with a serial number below J800928 are included in this recall.

The Christmas Truce of 1914

I just watched the film Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) about the miracle of a Christmas Eve truce of three armies, an historical event. The film was produced in France in 2005, of which has English subtitles. It was well done and I recommend viewing it. One of the actors, Ian Richardson, portraying the bishop, was his last film before his death. The film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 78^th Academy Awards.

First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving began as part of the religion of the English colonists (who had emigrated to Holland because of religious persecution) called Pilgrims who made thanksgiving prayers a part of their religious ceremonies. It was days of prayer, not just feasting.

Contrary to belief, the first thanksgiving feast with Native Americans occurred by a spontaneous desire to celebrate and give thanks for their lifesaving harvest.The local natives had played a big part in their survival of that first winter in 1620. The colonists had landed in December at the beginning of winter, and although they had provisions, there wasn't any harvest of crops to store. Actually, it was poor planning by the London Stock Company that had financed the expedition to found a settlement.

Landing of the Pilgrims

Weapons of Choice: Savage Model A17

Savage has worked on a rifle that will properly fire the .17 HMR cartridge in a semi-automatic rifle for a little over two years. While the .17 HMR has been around in bolt-action rifles for some time, the modernized so-called 'varmint' ammunition has been an improved cartridge versus the .22 caliber magnum for small game hunting and 100-yard target practice. It is still economical, especially for those who have been using the .223 caliber (5.56mm) for small game hunting rather than using .22 magnum for small game hunting up to the size of boars.

So You Have A Concealed Carry Permit. What About Training?

Citizens of the United States are the only people of a nation with a national constitution written for the People and established rights, liberties and rules for government by the People. Despite in recent decades of politicians ignoring that Constitution and its articles and amendments because of apathy and ignorance towards that Constitution – one amendment to that constitution stands out among other constitutions of other nations: the Second Amendment. It is a simple paragraph that simply states that each citizen is expected to be militia to defend the nation and its constitution against foreign and domestic enemies, and if necessary, to overthrow a government turned to tyranny and who does not abide by the articles and amendments of the Constitution of the United States. The Second Amendment guarantees that each lawful citizen has the right to keep and bear arms.
NOTE: One exception among foreign nations is Switzerland, who has a small standing army for defense purposes and relies upon its citizen militia to be on call in case of national emergency. Every able-bodied citizen undergoes basic training and when completed goes home with necessary combat gear to include a military weapon and expected to practice marksmanship periodically. 

With every right and liberty, especially the Second Amendment, there is responsibility to enact that right effectively, legally, and safely. Liberties and rights demand responsibility; just as the duty and task of each citizen to vote – and do so responsibly.

Today, most states recognize the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, but in order to carry a concealed firearm/weapon, one must apply for a permit that requires a background check, fingerprinting, and, in most cases, a credited handling and safety course for handguns.

Whether required or not, and even if a concealed permit carrier is a military veteran, it would be best to attend a training program or retraining program to refresh and bone-up on skills required for self defense. There are quality schools across the nation, but the one that stands out to meet the above criteria, teaching marksmanship, correct handling, and discipline required for self-defense and combat-type shooting required.

American Hero: Kenneth E. Stumpf

Kenneth E. Stumpf joined the Army from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and by April 25, 1967 was serving as a Specialist Four in Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On that day, near Đức Phổ in the Republic of Vietnam, Stumpf rescued three wounded comrades despite heavy fire and single-handedly disabled an enemy bunker. He was subsequently promoted to Staff Sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle. Stumpf reached the rank of Sergeant Major before retiring from the Army.

It's a Republic, A Constitutional Republic

The Founders in deciding what form of government was to be established, made the decision by examining what type of governments were being used around the globe and those throughout history of civilization. At the time the predominant government type was the monarchy. England had established a monarchy like that of the classic Roman republic where there was one head of government with a body of representatives of the people; being a monarchy with a parliament instead of a senate. Later England would remove the monarchy with a prime minister that was chosen by vote by the people and parliament became more than just an advisory committee of a king or queen. But before that occurred, the American colonists, who wanted better, more direct, representation sent King George a Declaration of Independence in defiance to a monarchy that refused to listen to the people.

Second Amendment and False Jefferson Quote

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms … disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes … Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man. Cesare Beccaria

Note:  the quote comes from a translation of an essay by Beccaria entitled "Essay on Crimes and Punishment" - sometimes falsely attributed to Thomas Jefferson.

Weapons of Choice: CMMG Mk47 AKM-Mutant

CMMG is offering an AR platform rifle that has the features of the AK-47, a hybrid: Mk47 Mutant.

While the idea of chambering an AR platform rifle with AK47 7.62x39mm rounds is not new CMMG has engineered a hybrid rifle that has the ease of takedown of an AR 15/M16 with a receiver designed for the 7.62x39mm cartridge that has more range/power than the 5.56mm/.223 caliber.

Weapons of Choice: SIG Sauer MCX

SIG Sauer has prided itself in innovative firearms design and the new Model MCX is no exception. It is built with standards for the military, reliable, gas-operated, short-stroke piston system that is the first AR platform rifle that has an auto-regulating gas system which allows shooters to switch between supersonic and subsonic loads, or unsuppressed or suppressed operation, without manually adjusting the gas system. That means quick changes will not compromise its operation.