One for the Birds
Douglas J. Uzakewicz
Fred Oppliger

This letter is a thin sheet of paper shown in actual size.  It is a PIGEONGRAM for the 1950 United States National Jamboree held in Valley Forge, PA.  There were three homing pigeon clubs involved in this most interesting form of Air Mail; The Paterson Homing Pigeon Club, Riverside Homing Pigeon Blue and the Westside Homing Pigeon Club.

Pigeongram

This event took place on July 2, 1950 as noted on the lettersheet.  The sheet is printed in black and all writing has been done in pencil.  The sheet has been folded many times so it could be attached to the leg of the bird.  The letter is addressed to Mr. & Mrs. P. S. Brown of 478 East 19th Street (New York City presumed).  The message is Dear Mom and Dad, Having a swell time, days are hot & nights are mighty cold. 36728 Dick.


The back side of the sheet shown above has information on the time of the bird's release; 1:15 July 2, 1950 and Rec'd Myer-E Laurie 2:59PM, Bird WHC23, blu W F hen, N. Haden, NJ.  It is not known if the message was then mailed by normal postal system or if it was returned to the Scout at the Jamboree.
Pigeongram Backside

SOSSI Journal VOL XXXXIV, No. 1, January-February 1995
Created by Keith Larson, 1999