Celebrated for his daring-do, Adolphe Pégoud was a pioneering acrobatic pilot who wowed spectators as he performed such death-defying acts as the loop-the-loop and flying the aircraft inverted. He also used his talents to train others to fly early aircraft.
All before World War I began in 1914.
When World War I began, the Frenchman volunteered as one of the pilots who battled in the sky. Considered to be the first “flying ace”, in August 1915, he was shot in the neck during air combat. He still managed to land in France but died from his injuries.
Ironically, the man who’s reported to have shot him was a German aviator trained by Pegoud before the war.
Pegoud was honored for his bravery, and his death showed the terrible risk and price of air combat.
I won’t detail the causes, the acts, the aggressors, and the reasons people fought World War I.
But this piece of history reminds me that:
I have a choice to use my talents and life energy for the good of others. And I’ve wondered if I would have the courage to stand up for goodness and kindness and love, even at the risk of losing my life.
I pray I don’t have to risk my life, but I also pray for the courage to lose my life for what’s right, rather than win by mistreating others.
And my prayer for each of us is to recognize how we can use our talents to stand up for goodness and kindness — no matter what.
What reminds you to use your talents for the good of others?
Putting Our Talents to Good Use – What reminds you to use your talents for the good of others? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
Thank you for your reminder, Joni. This inspires me to more consistently ask God how best to use what He’s given me to help others. Blessings!
Thanks for reading and sharing, Kim. I appreciate your support and blessings to you, too. 🙂
Stories of courage like you shared reminds me to use any talents I might have for the good of others:)
Thanks for commenting, Jane. I’m thankful my words were helpful.
Thanks for your thoughts, Joni.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Phyllis. I hope my post was helpful.
Great reminder, Joni. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Tim. I appreciate your support. 🙂