Born Survivor

Everybody loves to hear stories about survival. It could be about someone that was lost at sea or lost in the woods. It’s always inspiring to hear how that person was able to survive and managed to make their way back home safe and sound.  We try to put ourselves in their situations and think about how we would have reacted and what we would be capable of doing in order to stay alive. There are even a number of shows dedicated to these scenarios. One of the shows included is “I shouldn’t be alive” which has the real survivors retelling their stories of how they got into danger and what they had to do in order to make it out of it. Some other shows such as “Survivorman” and “Man vs. Wild” show the viewer what to do and how to survive in certain situations.

Now, the host of Discovery’s “Man vs. Wild” Bear Grylls is working with Gerber, one of the best knife companies out there. Together they have developed a new line of knives, machetes, and fire starters for people to purchase. These items are made with the highest quality materials and even come packaged with land to air rescue SOS instructions and a pocket sized survival guide which contains some of Bear’s best survival tips. The machete or “parang” has an angled stainless steel blade to allow the user to clear brush and limbs with ease. The fire starter is compact and comes with a waterproof storage container and a lanyard to keep the item intact. All of their knives are made with a stainless steel blade and comfortable rubber slip resistant grip and are available in a variety of different styles.

 So, now that you have the tools and knowledge, go out there and put your skills to the test. Are you a survivor?

Independence Day

Like many holidays, the true meaning of Independence Day unfortunately seems to be forgotten by a lot of us. Of course the 4^th of July is a day to celebrate… but do we really know what we’re celebrating? The real meaning of this day is profound but sadly goes unnoticed, especially by young people. We have to remember what this holiday is about instead of allowing it to be obscured by parties, drinking and fireworks.

In essence, this holiday is our country’s birthday and indeed deserves a celebration! But how much do really know about the country we live in? On July 4^th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed, which gave us independence from Great Britain. Before the Declaration was signed the United States consisted only of thirteen colonies and was under the rule of King George III. The colonies grew tired of paying taxes to Great Britain and having no say in what went on in the English Parliament. In 1774, they sent delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress which continually tried to resolve differences with England without having to formally declare war.

After a considerable period of time, their efforts proved to be hopeless and a committee lead by Thomas Jefferson was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. To make the document official, it was signed by the president of the Continental Congress, John Hancock.

The first Independence Day celebration took place a year after the document was signed, on July 4^th, 1777 and has been proudly celebrated by Americans ever since. The history of our country is so rich, so interesting and so meaningful. Wave your Flags high this year to celebrate our country’s birth!

Showing My Gratitude

Almost every American family has at least someone in it that is currently serving or has served in the military. Not only did my father work very hard to provide for our family but he also served in the Army and was an excellent role model to my brothers, sisters and me. Even though he wasn’t looking for compliments, I always found that a little of encouragement meant a lot to him. And showing my gratitude with a simple gesture really went a long way. He was and still does take pride in his strength but I know there were a few times that I saw tears in his eyes while he opened up and read a card from me.

I know first-hand how hard it is to be far away from our loved ones but it’s important to remember what they’re fighting for. A great way to show our appreciation is with a little hello and a thank you gift. There are so many different kinds of items available for either any occasion or for a special occasion.

I know one thing that my father always loved and put to use was Army Clothing and boots. Not just when he was away but anytime. I still always pick him out gifts from Army Navy Stores when it’s his birthday, Christmas or anything like that. He’s got coffee mugs, key chains, and wallets to last him the rest of his life. And he’s got enough Camouflage gear to be passed down for generations. Are any of your loved ones serving in our Military? What special ways have you found to show your love and appreciation for them?

Most Dangerous Game

As a young boy, I remember I had to read “The Most Dangerous Game” in school. That book changed my life, I wanted to be in the jungle and hunt. It intrigued me and sparked my curiosity to hunt. Of course, I did not want to hunt people! Ha-ha. I just loved the idea of being outdoors, alone and in charge of my own destiny.

I have now been Hunting for about fifteen years. It is not a hobby for me; it has become a way of life. I do not waste any bit of the animal I catch. I am not a hunter that hunts to put a head on my wall. I do it because I live off the land and do not eat processed food. All the meats I eat are from animals I have caught.

My parents never understood why I chose the way of life I have. I try to explain to them that it is the natural progression of life. I am not raising chickens and things like that just to be slaughtered. The animals in the wilderness have lived a life in their environment. The world is a matter of Survival of the fittest.

I do not think there is anything humane about raising animals to be slaughtered. Believe it or not, I am an animal lover but I need to survive. I do not do this as a sport and I do not enjoy harming anything. When I say I was curious about the book, I meant for survival reasons. You know what I meant?