HOPE IN AN ENVELOPE: Fort Worth Councilman Chris Nettles and the Fort Worth City Council to Recognize Three Hometown Heroes of the 6888th Battalion on June 10th at City Hall.

 


HOPE IN AN ENVELOPE: Fort Worth Councilman Chris Nettles and the Fort Worth City Council to Recognize Three Hometown Heroes of the 6888th Battalion on June 10th at City Hall.


FORT WORTH, TEXAS — June 10, 2025 — When the United States Congress awarded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor on April 29, 2025, and when the Texas House of Representatives officially recognized the 44 Texas members on May 22, 2025 — affectionately known as the Yellow Roses from Texas — it set the stage for a local moment of honor and history.


Today, on June 10, 2025, at Fort Worth City Hall (100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76102), Councilman Chris Nettles and the Fort Worth City Council will recognize three extraordinary Fort Worth women who served in the trailblazing, all-Black, all-female WWII battalion — the only unit of its kind to serve overseas during the war.


The honored Fort Worth veterans of the 6888th are:

• Technician Fifth Grade Florence Marie Rawls (née Cole)

• Sergeant First Class Helen Beatrice Minor

• Sergeant Lucille Smith (née Lewis)


These courageous women enlisted during a time of war and segregation, determined to serve their country despite the dual barriers of gender and race. Florence joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942, which became the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1943. Helen and Lucille followed in 1943. At enlistment, Florence worked as a nursemaid, Helen as a waitress, and Lucille as a teacher. All three were unmarried and childless — dedicating themselves fully to the call of duty.


“We are deeply appreciative of Councilman Chris Nettles and the Fort Worth City Council for their commitment to honoring these extraordinary women who helped restore the morale of American soldiers and their families in the darkest days of World War II,” said Pastor Kyev Tatum, founder of the Texas 6888th Project and the Little Miss 6888th Ambassadors.


Little Miss 6888th Ambassadors: The Legacy Lives On


Joining the ceremony will be the Little Miss 6888th Ambassadors, a group of young girls who embody the legacy of the battalion. Dressed in replica uniforms, they serve as living tributes to the strength, grace, and perseverance of the women of the 6888th. Inspired by their courage, these girls — like Torie Hunter and Kailey Williams — are helping to keep the memory and mission of the 6888th alive for generations to come.


About the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion


Known as the “Six Triple Eight,” this historic battalion was composed of more than 800 African American and Afro-Latina women sent overseas during WWII. Their primary mission: to clear a massive six-month backlog of undelivered mail to American soldiers in the European theater. Against all odds — and while battling racism, sexism, and wartime conditions — they completed the task in just three months, working around the clock in 24/7 shifts. Their efforts were credited with boosting the morale of the entire American Armed Forces.




About the Texas 6888th Project


The Texas 6888th Project is a faith-led, community-powered initiative based out of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth. It is dedicated to honoring the lives and legacy of the 6888th Battalion while educating future generations about their service and sacrifice.


Key Pillars of the Texas 6888th Project Include:

• Remembrance & Storytelling: Preserving the stories of 6888th veterans, especially those from Texas, including through partnerships with the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.

• Faith & Leadership: Rooted in a faith-based framework, the project emphasizes values of service, courage, and justice.

• Education & Awareness: Hosting programs, public ceremonies, school visits, and national media engagements to bring visibility to these often-overlooked heroines.

• Preservation of Legacy: The Texas 6888th Project documents and uplifts the contributions of Black women in military history, ensuring they are not erased or forgotten.

• Texas Roots: Many 6888th members trained at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, deepening the Lone Star connection to this national legacy.

• Congressional Recognition: The project played a vital advocacy role leading up to the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal, as reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.





For more information about today’s event or to support the Texas 6888th Project, please contact:

Pastor Kyev Tatum

📞 817-966-7625

📧 kptatum1@gmail.com

🌐 www.newmountrose.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NOT GUILTY IN TARRANT COUNTY! Joseph Delancy Stands Victorious with His Grandmother by His Side. Pastor Kyev Tatum, Sr.

Image
NOT GUILTY IN TARRANT COUNTY! Joseph Delancy Stands Victorious with His Grandmother by His Side. Pastor Kyev Tatum, Sr.  https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article301585229.html FORT WORTH, TEXAS - When the words “Not Guilty” rang through the courtroom, Shonette “Mama Shon” Hill felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders. Her grandson, Joseph Delancy, had endured an unimaginable trial—accused of a crime he did not commit, fighting against a system determined to make him a scapegoat. But through it all, Mama Shon stood firm, unwavering in her belief in Joseph’s innocence. With the love only a grandmother can give, she had been his rock, his shield, his fiercest defender. When others turned away, she remained. When doubt crept in, she stood taller. And when the verdict came, she held Joseph close—her faith and love carrying him through the storm. This was not just a victory for Joseph. It was a testament to a grandmother’s unbreakable love. A FIGHT FOR JUSTICE, ...
Read more

Aunt Liz the Angel: A Champion for the Six Triple Eight. By Pastor Kyev Tatum, Texas 6888th Project.

Image
Aunt Liz the Angel: A Champion for the Six Triple Eight. By Pastor Kyev Tatum, Founding Director, Texas 6888th Project. WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 29, 2025, inside Emancipation Hall beneath the sacred shadow of the Capitol dome, the soul of America was stirred as our nation finally paused to say “thank you” to the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. That day, wrapped in dignity and destiny, the Congressional Gold Medal was placed upon their legacy. And standing at the center of this divine moment, like a hidden angel sent for such a time as this, was none other than Retired Master Sergeant Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier—known across our community, and to the cast of the Tyler Perry film, simply and lovingly as Aunt Liz. Let me say it plain: Aunt Liz is God’s gift to the memory of the Six Triple Eight. When the final living members of the battalion took her in, they said something Master Sgt. never forget: “Liz can’t do no wrong in our book.” And I declare today—neithe...
Read more

JUST A LITTLE RESPECT WHEN WE GET HOME: President and Mrs. George W. Bush Celebrate the Heroic Legacy of the 6888th.

Image
JUST A LITTLE RESPECT WHEN WE GET HOME: President and Mrs. George W. Bush Celebrate the Heroic Legacy of the 6888th:  https://www.youtube.com/live/ggYiNQ4b45g?si=avtQ8wO8Q2HCpIyb #RealRespect DALLAS, TEXAS - On February 12, 2025, the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, hosted an extraordinary event honoring the trailblazing women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, affectionately known as the “Six Triple Eight.” This all-Black, all-female unit of the Women’s Army Corps made history during World War II by clearing a staggering 17 million-piece mail backlog in Europe, ensuring that American service members received their much-needed letters from home. Their dedication and efficiency not only boosted troop morale but also shattered racial and gender barriers of their time. In recognition of their extraordinary service, the battalion was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2022, the highest civilian ho...
Read more