WHEN DOVES FLY: The Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas Honors the 80th Anniversary of the Fallen Heroes of the 6888th.




WHEN DOVES FLY: The Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas Honors the 80th Anniversary of the Fallen Heroes of the 6888th.



Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | 3:00 PM | MLK Stone of Hope Memorial, Washington, D.C.


On the solemn afternoon of Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, in partnership with The Texas 6888th Project, will host a commemorative ceremony at the MLK Stone of Hope Memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor the 80th anniversary of the tragic loss of three brave members of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.



Of the 855 pioneering Black women who served in the only all-female, all-Black battalion to be deployed overseas during World War II, three soldiers—Private Mary Bankston, Private Mary J. Barlow, and Sergeant Dolores M. Browne—paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Rouen, France. On July 8, 1945, their lives were cut short in a car accident while on duty. Today, they rest together in the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach in Normandy, France—a testament to their courage, commitment, and contribution to democracy.



Remembering the Lives of Valor


  • Private Mary Bankston, of Michigan, was remembered for her quiet strength and sense of duty. A devoted daughter and sister, she saw service in the 6888th as a way to represent her family, race, and country during one of the most defining moments in world history.
  • Private Mary J. Barlow, hailing from New Jersey, brought a spirit of joy and resilience to the unit. Known for her kindness and organizational skill, she played a vital role in sorting and delivering the mountains of mail that reconnected soldiers with their loved ones back home.
  • Sergeant Dolores M. Browne, a proud Philadelphian and a respected leader among her peers, was known for her sharp intellect and unwavering discipline. She led with grace, ensuring that the mission of the 6888th was accomplished with excellence under great pressure and adversity.




A Legacy Kept Alive Through the Little Miss 6888th Historians

The Little Miss 6888th Historians, a youth storytelling initiative born from the Texas 6888th Project, will help keep the memory of these three women alive. These young girls, trained in public history and performance, will recite their stories at schools, libraries, churches, and civic ceremonies across Texas and beyond. By putting faces and stories to the names etched in history, the Little Miss 6888th Historians ensure that the contributions of these women are never forgotten—and that future generations inherit the spirit of service, excellence, and resilience they embodied.



Dove Release Ceremony by Minister Derrick Johnson

The spiritual heart of the ceremony will be led by Minister Derrick Johnson, a gifted vocalist and owner of DJ’s Singing Doves of Fort Worth, Texas. Minister Johnson, a member of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church and the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, will serve as Minister of the Hour, conducting the sacred Release of Three Doves—symbolizing the souls of Bankston, Barlow, and Browne taking flight into eternal peace. His presence and song will help lift the spirits of all gathered as heaven and earth meet in remembrance.



As we gather, we will sing, we will pray, and we will remember—not just the sacrifice of these three, but the legacy of all the women of the 6888th who served with valor and distinction. During this ceremony, we will officially declare July 8, 2025, as 6888th Day in Texas, and encourage the nation—and the world—to join us in honoring their legacy.


For more information, please contact:

Pastor Kyev P. Tatum

Phone: 817-966-7625

Email: kptstum1@gmail.com

Website: www.newmountrose.com

Zelle Donations: newmountrose.com


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