The following photo is the PROMPT. Keep in mind that all photos are the property of the contributor, therefore copyrighted and require express permission to use for purposes other than Friday Fictioneers. Giving credit to whom credit is due is proper etiquette. This week’s photo is from Roger Bultot for whom there is no link. Thanks for letting us use your photos Roger.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
LOST BATTALION
Molly made a face at her brother. “You birdbrain.”
“Am not!” Jimmy scowled.
“That’s a compliment you know,” said Grandpop.
“Why?” asked Molly.
“You never heard of Cher Ami?”
“What’s that?”
“Not what—who. He was a hero of the Great War.” Tears stung Grandpop’s eyes. “The Krauts shot a hole in his chest, took out his eye and blew off his leg. Nothing could deter him from his mission.”
“Wowsers!” Jimmy’s jaw dropped. “He was tough.”
Molly sighed. “Was he good looking, too, Grandpop?”
“I’ll say. Two hundred of us dough boys owe that handsome carrier pigeon our lives.”
Grandpop’s been stung into action. I reckon that Cher Ami should received the Dickin Medal, posthumously. Love your use of words such as ‘wowsers’
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Dear Mike,
Cher Ami actually did receive several medals. Of course his war was WWI, the Great War to End All Wars. Dickin was WWII. Animals amaze me.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Greetings Rochelle!
Fascinating history, as always! Thanks for the input.
Happy trails!
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Thank you, Sara. May all your running trails be happy ones, too. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree with Mike, lovely choice of words and yes wasn’t he handsome.
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Dear Graham,
I’ll admit it. I’m a logophile, a word nerd. I love finding bits of slang from certain time frames to set the stage.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A distinctive voice, a story, a pigeon plucked off the line and sent to another line. You worked a tough prompt well
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Dear Neil,
The line reference was totally unintentional, but if it worked it worked. 😉 I was going for the pigeon.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed your historical fiction about the heroic pigeon, Rochelle. She was one determined bird. Well written as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Cher Ami was a determined bird. I did know that she was found to be a female as well, however not every link pointed that out and for my story I went with the presumed gender. 😉 Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A heartening story. Wasn’t there an animated film about carrier pigeons a few years ago? I think it might have been called Valiant.
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Dear MissKZebra,
There’s actually been a few films about carrier pigeons and about the Lost Battalion in particular. I’ll have to look up Valiant.
Thank you for dropping by and leaving a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, it was an animated film.. 😉
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I really like the way you’ve taken this, and not just because I had a similar interpretation the picture.
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Dear Etienne,
I’m pleased that you liked my story. You know what they say…”Birds of a feather…” 😉
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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Another edifying bit of history, Rochelle. And one I found quite touching too. I loved Molly’s sigh and her question. Just like all little girls. Good one, expertly done.
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Dear Sandra,
Your comments make me smile. Little girls are romantics aren’t they? Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love that quote. It reflects so much in life and the diversity in everything that matters.
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Dear Karen,
The quote is something of a mantra for me, in hopes that people will use the photo prompt as a jumping off point rather than a literal illustration. Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this. In Michel Tournier’s The Ogre, his protagonist Abel Toufauges is a pigeon messenger for the French army in 1940. Pigeons played a vital role in both world wars. Nicely done.
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Dear J Hardy,
I found the whole carrier pigeon thread fascinating. Cher Ami wasn’t the only feathered hero, but I was, of course, limited to 100 words. 😉 Thank you for such a wonderful comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Respect the Pigeon! Love this story, Rochelle. Not sure if I’ll have time to write this week between funerals, but I’ll try. My apologies ahead of time to those I read regularly, this week is just not the best for me. Smiles, heads up, and share your munchies with the pigeons in the park!
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Dear Jelli,
Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Thank you for taking the time to read and compliment my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks.
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Wow, I love your story! When I saw the prompt photo, my mind went blank for a moment but you worked that tough prompt so very well! Amazing!
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Many thanks for your sweet words, Rashmi.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, that was quite entertaining and another piece of history learned. Glad you share these with us 🙂 Cher ami- what a bird..
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Dear Ifeoma,
I’m always pleased to share history as I learn it. 😉 Glad you liked it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are simply amazing, Rochelle! Love this story!
And I laughed… in your link, it says “HE died from HER injuries…” so you could choose whatever gender you wanted! Besides Cher Ami implies a male as it would be Chère Amie for a female…
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Dear Dale,
I looked at several links. Apparently it was originally thought that the bird was male. Later they realized she was a female. I guess by then the name had been set in stone. I didn’t catch that typo in this particular link, though. Thank you for such an amazing compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was just teasing you…
I notice such things – annoys me at times!!
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wow… I love where the tale took you.. what a hero, and what a great way to react to birdbrain.
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Dear Björn,
Animals amaze me. There are some who have been blessed with such special perceptions. Cher Ami was a true hero. Glad you liked. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the way the connective tissues work in all your stories! You take a photograph, find a related image, find a lesser-known, or well-known human aspect of history, create a brilliant story, and voilà, your one hundred words of creative story-telling emerge for all to see!
Love your story, Rochelle!
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Dear Vijaya,
I always enjoy your comments. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You always provide such interesting history! The twist surprised me 🙂 We once were travelling in Europe and came across a beautiful memorial garden — one of the most touching was a plaque and statue with verse about a dog who had “worked” in WWII. 🙂
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Dear Lillian,
I wonder if the dog you’re thinking of might be Sgt. Stubby. https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/3-january-2014/ If so, he also has a stone in the sidewalk for remembrance at our WWI memorial museum in Kansas City.
In any event, I’m pleased you enjoyed my story. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It may be!
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Lol. Nothing more to add 🙂
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Says it all, Paul. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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that is a great story, thanks for sharing
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Arora. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Spot on dialogue and a great story. Hope that bird got a purple heart.
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Dear Karen,
I don’t know if she got the purple heart but she was awarded more than one medal. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Another piece of great historical fiction from you. I love the idea that Cher Ami got recognition for his bravery and life-saving skills.
Great story.
Best wishes
Dee
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Dear Dee,
It’s hard to resist heroic animal stories. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a very touching story.
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Thank you, Clare. 😀
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Great story and well taken opportunity to pay tribute to the carrier pigeons that did so well for us in both world wars
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Dear Michael,
It’s heartening to know that pigeons do more than decorate our cars, isn’t it? 😉
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, what a story! Amazing how you come up with this information, Rochelle.
Lily
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Dear Lily,
The internet is a great source of arcane information.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story, Rochelle! It made me smile. 🙂
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Thank you, Josslyn. Your comment made me smile. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome, Rochelle! Happy Mother’s Day! 🙂
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Wonderfully well written story – with a great history lesson that showcases the incredible ingenuity and means used during those awful wars and battles. In service to one’s country.
Lovely reading Rochelle 🙂
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Dear W.C.
History is full of amazing stories, isn’t it? Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really good. Have I read this before? it sounds familiar.
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Dear Cuzzin Kent,
This is a new one. But you might be thinking of the one I did a couple of years ago about Sgt. Stubby, the heroic Pit Bull “A Soldier of the Great War.” https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/3-january-2014/
Thank you.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelly
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Yes! That was it. Muchisimas gracias.
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Dear Rochelle,
What an amazing slice of history! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Well rendered.
Peace (hold the pigeon grease),
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
I’ll hold the pigeon poop, too…although there’s plenty of that to go around. Thank you for your affirming words re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great story and lovely piece of history. I loved the “pigeon message” you included at the end!
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Dear Ali,
I hope I didn’t infringe on any copyrights by using that photo. That is the exact message Cher Ami was carrying. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story Rochelle! What an amazing bird.
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Dear Laurie,
She was an amazing bird. (thought to be male, later found to be female.)
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the voices and loved the little feathery hero. Not surprised they thought her was a he, goes along with the gender presumptions of past and present times.
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Dear Loré,
It’s really difficult to tell with birds. We had two cockatiels once. The one we named Charlotte turned out to be Charlie and the other, Madison was a male. Glad you liked my story and took the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great piece of history and entertaining story. I’m sorry for the poor bird though.
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Thank you for your kind words, Gabriele. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now that was no stool pigeon. I hope they feathered his nest. A great swoop into history.
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Dear Subroto,
You’re in rare form this week. Thank you for reading and leaving a high-flying comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Charming tale, R, elegantly told.
But I have to ask, are all girlies so image obsessed, or just those of you from KC?
(Snigger)
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Dear CE,
I think most girlies of a certain age have their heads in the clouds where the handsome young men are concerned. (Consider all the teen magazines with 8 x 10 glossies of movie and music idols.) Reality sets in much later. (Returned snigger)
Thank you for your compliment re my story.
Shalom and a gentle hug,
Rochelle
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Hello,
Please see my latest post here: https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/05/03/call-for-blogging-challenges/ and let me know if you’d be interested in being a part of a blogging editorial agenda/planner. If you are interested, no need to respond, just fill out the form within the post.
Thanks so much,
Jennifer
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Dear Flo,
I suppose the reason they used pigeons instead of geese is because they were smaller targets and not prone to talking like that stupid AFLAC goose. What a blabber-beak. He’d give away more secrets than Hillary’s classified emails.
Respectfully yours,
General Starling
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Dear General Starling,
I’ll take the carrier pigeon over the AFLAC goose any day. We have a flock of homing geese in our neighborhood. Which is to say that they feel at home pooping in our driveway.
Shooting my pricing gun and saying shalom,
Regressively yours,
Flo
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What a take! Love the history here and the fact that the bird was called Cher Ami. Something new I learned today. Grandpa has stories. They best listen. Great storytelling and entertaining too, Rochelle.
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Dear Amy,
I do have a tendency to write stories that are told from generation to generation. Perhaps because I wish my own grandparents had been more forthcoming. 😉 I’m glad you liked the story. It was a pleasant write. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I learned something this morning. Thanks! Great story.
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Dear Caerlynn,
Happy to share. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating story and history. I have heard of birds being used for messages but never knew that they too were casualities. Good one Rochelle!
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Dear Ansumani,
I love it when I find stories like this and there are so many out there. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wowsers, that was some bird! I was wondering who would be named Cher Ami – and the story did not disappoint.
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Many thanks for such a nice comment MTO.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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totally awesome story. the bird deserved all the honor.
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Thank you for your totally awesome comment, Plaridel. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shalom Rochelle!
I thought I should share this with you when I watched the video. it’s three minutes long. Wasn’t sure how to send it to you. Hope you don’t mind my sharing it here.
(I thought I’d share it in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day which was Thursday, I believe.)
~Vijaya
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Thank you, Vijaya. I’ve actually seen this video a number of times. Nonetheless it always makes me cry.
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I thought you might have seen it. Yes, it was very moving.
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Such a noble little soldier. I hope they patched him up and fed him well.
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Dear Alice,
According to all reports, medics did their best to save the little bird.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful interpretation, Rochelle! Even better is that it’s partly a true story. Or at least the part about the carrier pigeon.
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Dear SD,
Truth is usually better than fiction. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle
Fabulous story and I love the Atlas Obscura – what a find! I’m enjoying being back here. I got a little obsessed with Friday Fiction before and wasn’t writing anything else – I thought a short break would be good, but it turned into a long break, (with very little writing being done). So it looks like I’ve lapsed and gone back to my addiction 🙂
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Dear EL,
Your support group is here for you and happy to have you back. 😉
Grinning and shaloming,
Rochelle
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It makes one think of the white feather and how it’s used to indicate cowardice? Confusing, eh.
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Dear Patrick,
Many things defy logic, the white feather being one of them. Thank you for flying by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. My Dad used to raise and race homing pigeons when he was growing up. Your story reminded me of that while also sharing something new–Cher Ami’s tory. Thank you!
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Dear Emily,
I’ll bet you have a few pigeon stories of your own to tell. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely. Fascinating history brought to life by your creative talents, Rochelle.
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Dear Margaret,
Thank you or such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I loved it! the photo prompt was very inspiring!
Huge hugs Heidi 🙂
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Dear Heidi,
Thank you for the comment and the hugs. Both are always appreciated. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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