National Pigeon Day Celebration June 19, 2010

Cher Ami was a homing pigeon owned and flown by the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France during World War I. He helped save the Lost Battalion of the 77th Division in the battle of the Argonne, October 1918. In his last mission, he delivered a message despite having been shot through the breast, being blinded in one eye, covered in blood, and having a leg hanging only by a tendon. The bird was awarded the Croix de Guerre for heroic service delivering 12 important messages in Verdun, France. The New York Bird Club requests that June 13 be declared as National Pigeon Day so that pigeons can be properly recognized as war heroes. The Celebration features speakers, political activism, entertainment, material and book distribution.