UNMATCHED BRAVERY WITH HOPE IN AN ENVELOPE.

UNMATCHED BRAVERY WITH HOPE IN AN ENVELOPE. 2 Corinthians 3:2

The 369th Infantry Regiment Harlem Hellfighters Receive USPS Pictorial Postmark to Honor Congressional Gold Medal on September 3rd. Texas Heroes Among the Harlem Hellfighters and the 6888th Battalion.

A Featured Cover Story by Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

Publisher, Black Texans, Inc.

“When you instill hope in the future, you empower people in the present.” — Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - In a year when America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service—and the U.S. Army—history is being stamped, literally, in honor of two legendary all-Black military units whose courage forever reshaped the story of freedom.

On September 3, 2025, a moment of historic magnitude will unfold in Washington, D.C., as the United States awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the fabled 369th Infantry Regiment—The Harlem Hellfighters. Known for their fierce valor and unyielding spirit during World War I, the Harlem Hellfighters set a record unmatched by any American combat unit: 191 consecutive days on the frontlines—the longest of any U.S. unit—and the loss of more than 1,400 men, the highest casualty toll of the war.

And their story runs deep through Texas soil. Three hundred fifty-five members of the Harlem Hellfighters were Black Texans—men who left the cotton fields, oil towns, and railroad yards of the Lone Star State to fight for freedom on foreign soil. They marched, fought, and bled not only for America’s promise but for the hope of equality at home—a promise too often delayed but never forgotten.

250 Years of Service, 250 Years of Black Contributions

The U.S. Army traces its founding to June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress formed a unified colonial fighting force. Just weeks later, on July 26, 1775, the United States Postal Service was formally established, with Benjamin Franklin appointed as the nation’s first Postmaster General. Together, these two institutions—one charged with defending the new nation, the other with binding it together through communication—have relied on African Americans from their earliest days.

In the Revolutionary War, Black soldiers served in integrated units such as the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, earning distinction for their courage even while many remained enslaved. In postal service, African Americans worked on early mail routes in the 18th and 19th centuries, sometimes under perilous frontier conditions. Pioneers like William Cooper Nell, an abolitionist and postal worker, fought for equal employment opportunities, while Minnie Cox, the first Black female postmaster, served in Mississippi in the 1890s despite fierce local opposition.

From the United States Colored Troops in the Civil War, to Buffalo Soldiers on the western frontier, to the Montford Point Marines of WWII, Black Americans have defended the nation’s ideals while challenging it to live up to them. Likewise, in postal service—from stagecoach deliveries to railway mail cars, segregated post offices, and now global distribution—Black men and women have kept America connected.

This dual 250th anniversary is more than a historical milestone. It is a reminder that Black service members and postal workers have been part of America’s defense and communication lifelines since day one, often delivering freedom and connection under fire.

Texas Women Who Delivered Victory

Just months earlier, on April 29, 2025, the nation honored another trailblazing unit with the Congressional Gold Medal: the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—known as the Six Triple Eight. The first and only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas in World War II, these women were tasked with clearing a two-year mail backlog in Europe. Given six months, they did it in just three—working around the clock under their unshakable motto: “No Mail, Low Morale.”

Texas proudly claims 44 daughters of the Six Triple Eight, women whose grit, faith, and determination matched the Harlem Hellfighters who came before them. Their mission kept soldiers connected to their loved ones and proved—once again—that courage knows neither gender nor color.

The Meaning of a Pictorial Postmark

A USPS Pictorial Postmark is a unique, hand-applied stamp that commemorates a specific event with custom artwork. Unlike standard postmarks, these designs tell a story in ink, offering collectors and families a tangible keepsake of an important moment.

• Custom Artwork: Designed to capture the spirit of the occasion.
• Temporary Availability: Offered only during the event and briefly thereafter.
• Hand-Applied: Added at special postal stations during commemorations.
• Mail-Order Option: Available for those who cannot attend in person.
• Collectible Value: Cherished by stamp collectors and history lovers alike.

The Hellfighters Station postmark will be available starting September 3, 2025, and officially announced in the August 21, 2025, Postal Bulletin.

The People Behind the Postmarks

These two postmark projects were spearheaded by Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier, U.S. Army Master Sergeant (Retired) and founder of the 6888th Stamp Project. A decorated veteran and tireless advocate for military women, Helm-Frazier has championed monuments, films, and educational programs to preserve these stories. She is also the producer of the acclaimed documentary No Mail, Low Morale.

Custom artwork for both postmarks was created by MaLaysia Mitchell, a Wheaton College anthropology graduate whose designs capture the courage and spirit of these historic units.

Hope for Future Generations

This honor is part of a broader USPS celebration recognizing the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—known as the “Six Triple Eight”—and the Harlem Hellfighters. Both units received Congressional Gold Medals for their service, perseverance, and unyielding commitment to freedom in the face of prejudice and danger.

“This is more than a postal cancellation—it is a seal on our collective memory,” said Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr., publisher of Black Texans, Inc. “When you instill hope in the future, you empower people in the present. The Harlem Hellfighters didn’t just fight a war—they fought for the right to be remembered.”

As envelopes carrying the Hellfighters Station postmark travel across the nation and into collections, they will carry more than letters. They will carry a story—a story of 191 days on the front lines, of over 1,400 lives laid down, and of a courage that refused to be canceled.

Pastor Tatum’s Mission of Remembrance

Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr., founder of the Fight Like Forty-Two Movement and publisher of Black Texans, Inc., will stand in Washington for both ceremonies—accompanied by Little Miss Six Triple Eight for the women’s tribute and the Young Buffalo Soldiers for the Harlem Hellfighters’ honor.

For Pastor Tatum, this is more than a trip to the nation’s capital—it is a mission to preserve the dignity of forgotten soldiers and inspire a new generation with their stories.

“These heroes teach us that when you instill hope in the future, you empower people in the present,” says Pastor Tatum. “If our children can see themselves in the courage of those who came before them, they can find the strength to face the battles of today.”

The Call to Preserve Our Legacy

The Harlem Hellfighters and the Six Triple Eight were more than soldiers—they were dreamers, doers, and believers who risked everything for a country that had not yet fully accepted them. Their Texas sons and daughters carried both pride and pain into battle, leaving a legacy that demands remembrance.

Through the Fight Like Forty-Two Movement, Black Texans, Inc. calls on communities, churches, and schools to join in preserving, promoting, and proclaiming the stories of these American giants. This mission includes advocating for the national preservation of historic Black cemeteries, such as New Trinity Cemetery in Fort Worth, where many segregated military veterans rest.

The Harlem Hellfighters fought 191 days without relief.

They lost more men than any other unit.

Yet they never lost their will.

The least we can do is ensure their names—and the Texas names among them—are never lost to history.