A couple of

weeks ago I asked you to help me find information about the 91st Infantry

Brigade of the U.S. Expeditionary Army and WWI. Legend has it that the

men of the 91st Infantry Brigade had never seen combat. Their commander,

a devout Christian, called an assembly of his men where he gave each a

little card on which was printed the 91st Psalm. They agreed to recite

the Soldiers' Psalm daily.

Subsequently,

the 91st Brigade was engaged in three of the bloodiest battles of WWI:

Chateau Thierry, Belleau Wood, and the Argonne. While other American units

similarly engaged had up to 90 percent casualties, it is said that the

91st Brigade did not suffer a single casualty!

Since I asked

for help verifying this information I have seen the little book "The

Ultimate Guide - Psalm 91" by Brenda and Michael Pink, and read the

story that is printed on the most recently designed cover.

I also have

had several responses to queries regarding the legendary 91st Infantry

Brigade.

This response

came from Mike Hanlon, Research Editor of Relevance, the Quarterly Journal

of The Great War Society: "There was no 91st Brigade with the AEF

in WWI. The Brigades' highest number was 84. There was, however, a 91st

Division and that may be what you are looking for.

"It was

known as the Wild West Division and was made up mostly of draftees from

the west coast. They trained at Fort Lewis, Washington. It went over the

top the first day of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, taking pretty heavy

casualties.

"It was

taken out of the line to rest and regroup, and in late October, 1918 was

sent to Flanders with the 37th Division of the AEF to fight the final

weeks of the war under King Albert of Belgium. Their total casualties

were about 6,100 men including 1,454 killed."

Later I received

further correspondence from Mr. Hanlon: "I have seen this story about

the 91st Psalm. In one variation, the source of the story is the father

of the late actor James Stewart, who served in the non-existent 91st Brigade.

The story continues to suggest that father passed it on to son when James

Stewart departed for WWII.

"I have

never been able to verify the truth of any of this. However, it is quite

credible that the 91st Psalm was distributed to some soldiers by their

commanders before battle. It has many comforting thoughts for those in

jeopardy."

Then Mr. Hanlon

went on to tell me about how the Great War Society conducts a major event

each Armistice/Veterans Day. This past year they joined with the Gold

Star Mothers of America at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to rededicate

their monument listing the 700+ fallen sons and daughters of their Bay

Area chapter members killed in the war.

The list, incidentally,

includes members of the 91st Division. Hanlon was asked to host the event.

Since we currently have forces in action around the world, he thought

they should add something to honor and help the group remember our current

day warriors.

"Naturally,

I read the King James version of the 91st Psalm," he said.

So how does

this bit of historical information affect my faith and my feelings about

Psalm 91? I am not sure it does. You see, what faith I have is not built

on stories, but on experience and what I perceive to be a personal relationship

with God.

How do I feel

at this point about the little book, "Psalm 91: The Ultimate Shield"?

It is awesome! I now have a copy in my purse, but it is not the book that

brings me comfort, but my perceived truth of the Psalm.

And I love

the story of the 91st Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Expeditionary Army

and WWI. I really wanted it to be true.

A friend of

mine asked me why I was so bent on trying to prove or disprove it. "It's

a good story. Why can't you just leave it alone?" he asked.

Truth, even

in its purest state, can be so very hard to recognize. Even when we think

we catch a glimpse of the real thing, we often find it to be ever so elusive.

I suppose I was born searching for truth. In death, I fully expect to

continue my quest.

I do think

our faith grows with the hearing and telling of good stories. I just want

to know, as far as it is humanly possibly to know, that the stories I

hear and tell are true. Is that too much to ask?

NOTE: Anyone

whose appetite for WWI history may have been whetted by this column can

go to www.worldwar1.com for more information about The Great War.

As always you

can write to me at [email protected].

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