John Thomas Rourke, the main character in the SURVIVALIST series, is to many people the epitome of true survivalism. Here you have a man who comes out basically unscathed from a nuclear holocaust and then travels across the United States on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, fighting kill-crazy brigands, radiation disease, cannibals and whatever else crosses his path in order to save his family and bring them to a safe haven that he had planed ahead and created for just such an occurrence.
There are a lot of you who do try to plan ahead. You stock food and supplies for that SHTF day, hoping it never comes but wanting to be ready, just in case. Many of you learn the basics of first aid and CPR, knowing that in an emergency, medical help may not be forthcoming. Skills such as setting up a safe, comfortable shelter in the out of doors without the “necessities” of electricity and running water are learned and passed on to others who have like interests as well as the skill of obtaining fresh meat and the art of preserving it for later consumption.
All the above are abilities that will serve well in any situation and are useful to all of us in order to survive in this constantly changing world. But, some of us have taken the essence of survival to a whole new level; a level few of us are capable of obtaining.
As many of you know, Jerry was an inner city High School teacher in Chicago, many long years ago. At this one particular school he taught at, he was accepted into the teaching community and made some good friends. One of these friends, Jerry Buergel became a mentor to him as well as a friend. Jerry - we just called him Buergel, knew how to fish and work on guns, and understood electricity; skills not all of us had acquired. The school had a teacher’s bowling team and we were both involved. My Jerry had never bowled before and Buergel and the rest of the teachers took it upon themselves to instruct him in the fine art of the game. Jerry never got beyond dangerous to himself and anyone else near by. Jerry loved it and the bowling teams knew to keep their eyes open for flying objects.
Buergel and his wife, Judy welcomed us to their home regularly and we rarely turned them down. We were the young, just married ones and they were the mature folk with two kids and dogs and ducks and ferrets and.....
When we moved to Georgia in the very late 70s, the Aherns and the Buergels managed to stay in touch. We called to let them know how warm and sunny our weather was when we knew Chicago was in the midst of its usual deep freeze. They would call us to see if we had floated away during one of our springtime floods. Later the calls turned to the exploits of our grown children and still later, our grandchildren. Jerry and Judy made it down here a few times over the years and we would camp or just get lost up in the mountains. Sometimes, they came down with all their clown paraphernalia and put on shows for the local kids of all ages. Yes, they became professional clowns!
Life wasn’t always easy for the Buregels. Just like most of us, they’ve had their ups and downs with health, retirement and the almighty quest to stay afloat in life. They have survived all that has been thrust upon them. They have survived because the one thing they always have had, no matter what, was their love and respect for each other.
Jerry and Judy Buergel have spent the last 50 years honing survival skills that are the most important for us to remember. Treat every day of your life together like a sip of good wine. Don’t waste it!
HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Sharon