Thursday, June 22, 2017

DON'T GIVE UP


Before modern communication was available mankind has tried all sorts of way to communicate to one another in the fastest way possible.  The Indians used smoke signals, the U.S. used the pony express, and the ancients used runners to run from place to place to send needed messages.  The list could go on and on.

I have seen documentaries that show another way of communicating – by use of carrier pigeons.  This practice was started with the ancient Persians, who had the art of training them.  They were used for many years – especially for military purposes during wary.

On October 3, 1918, during World War I, British troops were trapped close to enemy lines.
There were around 500 men were surrounded by the Germans, with no help, food or ammunition. The trapped troops sent a pigeon to their army post, and the message said:  “Many wounded. We cannot evacuate.” Regretfully, this first pigeon was shot down. They sent another pigeon with another message: “Men are suffering. Can support be sent?” This pigeon also was shot down.

Finally, the British sent a third pigeon named Cher Ami (French for “dear friend), but the Germans opened fire and shot him down. Cher Ami managed to rise again and continue his flight, having been shot in the breast, with only one eye left and with one leg hanging by the tendon and covered in blood.  Despite his condition, Cher Ami was able to deliver the message  (25 miles in 25 minutes) to the British camp, saving the lives of more than 194 British soldiers.
Cher Ami became the hero of the 77th Infantry Division. Army medics worked long and hard to save her life. They were unable to save her leg, so they carved a small wooden one for her. When she recovered enough to travel, the now one-legged bird was put on a boat to the United States, with General John J. Pershing personally seeing Cher Ami off as she departed France.
Upon return to the United States, Cher Ami became the mascot of the Department of Service. The pigeon was awarded the Croix de Guerre Medal with a palm Oak Leaf Cluster for her heroic service in delivering 12 important messages in Verdun. She died at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, on June 13, 1919 from the wounds she received in battle and was later inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in 1931. She also received a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Racing Pigeon Fanciers in recognition of her extraordinary service during World War I.

To American school children of the 1920s and 1930s, Cher Ami was as well known as any human World War I heroes. Cher Ami's body was later mounted by a taxidermist and enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution. It is currently on display with that of Sergeant Stubby in the National Museum of American History's "Price of Freedom" exhibit.

Whatever you are going through today – whatever state you might find yourself in – DON’T GIVE UP! You might be shot up with one gone and only one leg hanging by the tendon.  DON’T GIVE UP!   Your victory is right around the corner. Perhaps the odds are against you and you feel all alone.  You might be fighting all sorts of obstacles around you – DON’T GIVE UP!
Because of who is on your side – Victory is coming your way.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Psalm 18:1-2 (NKJV) 18:1  I will love You, O LORD, my strength. 2  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.







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