The Yellow Roses From Texas: Honoring the Legacy of the 6888th Battalion in Fort Worth, Texas.

 


The Yellow Roses From Texas: Honoring the Legacy of the 6888th Battalion in Fort Worth, Texas. 


The “Yellow Rose of Texas” symbolizes resilience and courage, traits exemplified by three remarkable women from Fort Worth who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. According to the Buffalo Soldier Educational and Historical Committee, 43 “Yellow Roses From Texas” members of the 6888th hailed from Texas, with Technician Fifth Grade Florence Marie Rawls (Cole), Sergeant First Class Helen Beatrice Minor, and Sergeant Lucille Smith (Lewis) enlisting from Fort Worth.



Florence enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942, which became the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1943. Helen and Lucille both enlisted in the WAC in 1943. At the time of their enlistment, Florence worked as a nursemaid, Helen as a waitress, and Lucille as a teacher. Each was unmarried and without children when they chose to serve.



The 6888th Battalion, known as the “Six Triple Eight,” was the only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas during World War II. Their mission was to clear a massive backlog of mail, ensuring that American troops received vital correspondence from home, a task crucial for maintaining morale.



Today, SFC Helen B. Minor rests at DFW National Cemetery, and TEC5 Florence Marie Cole Rawls is interred at the historic Trinity Cemetery in Fort Worth. Their contributions, alongside those of Emily D. West, the original “Yellow Rose of Texas,” exemplify the enduring strength and dedication of Texas women.



The Texas 6888th Project seeks to honor these women by replacing their headstones to reflect the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the 6888th Battalion. This initiative, titled “The Yellow Roses of Texas,” aims to ensure their legacy is appropriately recognized and remembered.



From the legendary actions of Emily D. West to the steadfast service of Florence Marie Cole Rawls, Helen Beatrice Minor, and Lucille Smith, the “Yellow Roses of Texas” symbolize the enduring strength and resilience of women who have shaped the state’s history.





For more insight into the experiences of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, you might find this video informative: https://youtu.be/Hbbb2rWIhoc?si=gcFzdHpUGfDg55p-




Contact Pastor Tatum at 817-966-7625, kptatum1@gmail.com or visit www.newmountrose.com for more information on the Texas 6888th Project. 


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