Digital Print Ink - May 2019

Brave Little Cher Ami THE WAR PIGEON WHO SAVED THE ‘LOST BATTALION’

Long before the invention of radios and cellphones, homing pigeons were used to send messages as early as the sixth century. During World War I, war pigeons carried lifesaving messages past enemy lines for the American and French armies, often being wounded in the process. In 1918, Cher Ami, a black check hen used by the U.S. Signal Corps, became the most famous of them all. On Oct. 2, the United States 77th Division was trapped behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a three-month push by the Allies during the final throes of World War I to force the Germans to surrender. It became the bloodiest battle in U.S. history. For six days, the encircled division endured relentless attacks and suffered heavy casualties, but their orders were clear: don’t retreat and don’t surrender. The division dispatched two homing pigeons with requests for help, but both birds were shot down. When friendly fire began raining down on the 77th, Major Charles White Whittlesey felt he had no choice but to send the last pigeon, Cher Ami. The pigeon’s desperate note read: NEVER FORGET Memorial Day often signals the unofficial start to summer, but its origins are more significant than sunshine and a day off. Instead, the holiday was designated to honor the soldiers who died in the line of duty. Many companies have taken advantage of this day to offer sales, but this Memorial Day, you can promote your business while keeping the emphasis on what really matters: a soldier’s ultimate sacrifice. Learn how below. Reach Out

“We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.”

As Cher Ami rose from the brush, she was shot down, to the despair of the watching soldiers. However, after a few seconds, she fought her way back into the air, flew through a torrent of gunfire, and made it to division headquarters 25 miles away. She had been shot in the breast, the eye, and the leg. Because of Cher Ami’s brave flight, 194 of the original 554 men of the 77th Division survived the battle. One month later, World War I came to an end. Cher Ami survived the war as well, thanks to the surgeons who performed emergency surgery on her. One soldier even carved her a little wooden leg. She became a well-known hero to both soldiers and children in the States. For her service in Verdun, the French Army awarded her the Croix de Guerre, and she was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame. Cher Ami finally succumbed to her wounds in June of 1919 and is now on display in the Smithsonian alongside Sergeant Stubby, a terrier who served 18 months on the Western Front.

3 Ways Your Business Can Honor Memorial Day

the ultimate sacrifice they made can properly honor the holiday, and as a bonus, your business will become intertwined with these activities. Host a fundraiser for families of fallen soldiers, or partner with local veterans’ organizations for a potluck, benefit, or contest. Enter your business into the local parade, attend a ceremony as a company, or donate wreaths or flags for soldiers’ gravestones. Big or small, there’s no shortage of gestures you can offer. Be Interactive

Even though Memorial Day emphasizes remembering the soldiers who have died in the line of duty, for many veterans and their families, the day can be emotional and complex. Honor these families by reaching out with a mail campaign this Memorial Day. Compile a list of local veterans and their families and mail them coupons, special offers, or your words of appreciation. The gesture will be memorable for these families in more ways than you could imagine. Get Active

We want to honor the sacrifice and legacy of fallen soldiers and their families. On Memorial Day, ask your employees and customers if they have stories of loved ones they would like to share, and then create a social media or print campaign sharing these stories. These families’ stories are important connections to their soldiers, and there’s nothing people relate to more than other people.

If you’re interested in creating a print campaign for Memorial Day, our experts at Digital Print Ink can help. Learn more by calling 417.881.5309 or visit DigitalPrintInk.net.

A special thank you to veterans and their families this Memorial Day.

One of the best ways to get your company involved with Memorial Day is to get out in your community. Actively remembering our troops and

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