LET’S STAMP IT! Advocates Rally for a U.S. Forever Stamp Honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

THE NATIONAL 6888TH DAY SPECIAL EDITION

LET’S STAMP IT! Advocates Rally for a U.S. Forever Stamp Honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

Special to Black Texans, Inc.

Petition: https://www.change.org/p/honor-the-6888th-central-postal-directory-battalion-with-a-u-s-forever-stamp

WASHINGTON, DC — September 16, 2025: Today is no ordinary day. It is National 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day — and across the nation, veterans, historians, students, and community leaders are rising with one voice to say, “Let’s STAMP IT!”

Their mission? To secure a U.S. Forever Stamp for the legendary Six Triple Eight — the only all-African American, all-women unit to serve overseas during World War II.

With 4,937 petition signatures already verified, the 6888th Stamp Team is surging forward with renewed energy — still glowing from the battalion’s Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony earlier this year on April 29, 2025, in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol.

And on this historic 6888th Day, they are calling on the nation to stand up, sign up, and spread the word.

“Mail was their mission — and today, we honor them and every postal carrier who keeps that mission alive,” says Master Sergeant (Ret.) Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier, leader of the 6888th Stamp Team.

“It’s also the 102nd birthday of the late PFC Deloris L. Ruddock, one of the Six Triple Eight’s own. I miss her dearly. And what better way to honor her memory than to get 102 new petition signatures by midnight tonight?”

WHY THIS MATTERS

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was more than just a mail unit — they were morale warriors.

These 855 trailblazing women took on a nearly impossible mission: clearing a two-year backlog of over seventeen million pieces of undelivered mail stacked to the ceilings of cold, dark warehouses in England and France.

Their motto, “No Mail, Low Morale,” was more than a slogan — it was a lifeline. They worked around the clock in grueling conditions, sorting an average of 65,000 letters per shift and even opening envelopes to find clues for delivery when all they had was a name like “Robert Smith.”

And they did it all in a segregated Army, under the command of Major Charity Adams, the first Black woman officer in the Women’s Army Corps.

Within three months, they had cleared the massive mail mountain in Birmingham, England. In France, they worked with civilians and even German POWs to complete an even bigger job in less than six months — smashing every expectation placed on them.

Their work restored morale to millions of U.S. troops overseas — and yet, when the war ended, they came home to a country still under Jim Crow. Their service was largely forgotten for decades.

A LEGACY FINALLY RECOGNIZED

Today, America is finally catching up to the greatness of the Six Triple Eight. Over the past 15 years, their story has been unearthed, celebrated, and elevated to its rightful place in history:

• 2009: Honored at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

• 2016: Inducted into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame.

• 2018: Monument unveiled at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

• 2019: Featured in James Theres’ acclaimed documentary The Six Triple Eight and awarded the prestigious Audie Murphy Award.

• 2022: Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.

• 2023: Launch of the AWF Six Triple Eight Scholarship, paving the way for future women leaders.

• 2024: Declared National 6888th Day and celebrated in Tyler Perry’s Netflix film Six Triple Eight.

• 2025:

• April 29: Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony presented in Emancipation Hall, U.S. Capitol.

• May 22: Texas House of Representatives passes Texas HR1086, commending the 6888th for their service.

• June 10: Fort Worth City Council honors the 6888th, recognizing the contributions of this all-female, Black, and Latino unit.

• Post offices renamed for Indiana Hunt-Martin (Buffalo, NY) and Millie Dunn Veasey (Raleigh, NC).

• A highway dedicated in memory of Cpl. Lena Derriecott Bell King (State Route 147, NV).

• An official USPS pictorial postmark released in their honor — designed and coordinated by the 6888th Stamp Team themselves.

• September 3: The 6888th Stamp Team also led the creation of the official USPS pictorial postmark for the 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters) Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony — uniting two legacies of Black military excellence under one historic postal tribute.

The momentum is unstoppable. The next step is clear: a U.S. Forever Stamp.

THE WOMEN BEHIND THE MOVEMENT

Master Sergeant Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier has spent years on a mission to preserve, promote, and protect the legacy of the Six Triple Eight. Along with Stephanie Mitchell, she has fought to bring these women’s stories into classrooms, boardrooms, and living rooms across America.

“This is more than history — this is heritage,” Helm-Frazier says. “The Six Triple Eight blazed a trail for every woman of color who has worn the uniform since. Their courage changed the Army — and the nation — forever.”

A CALL TO ACTION

This 6888th Day, you can be part of history.

• Sign the petition.

• Share it with your networks.

• Ask 10 others to do the same.

Goal: 102 signatures by 11:59 p.m. tonight — one for every year PFC Ruddock would have celebrated today.

STAMP IT INTO HISTORY

Until a decade ago, most Americans had never heard of the Six Triple Eight. Now, thanks to documentaries, news coverage, Congressional honors, and Tyler Perry’s Netflix feature film Six Triple Eight, their story is inspiring the nation.

But inspiration must lead to action.

The Six Triple Eight broke barriers, delivered hope, and proved that Black women could lead, serve, and succeed under pressure. Now, it’s our turn to honor them — forever.

Let’s stamp it.

ABOUT BLACK TEXANS, INC.

Black Texans, Inc. is a statewide nonprofit and cultural organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and proclaiming the history, heritage, and achievements of African Americans across Texas.

Founded to give voice to the untold stories of Black Texans, the organization works at the intersection of history, education, and advocacy — producing publications, events, and partnerships that shine a light on contributions often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Through initiatives like this 6888th Day Special Edition, Black Texans, Inc. seeks to ensure that the courage, sacrifice, and excellence of African Americans — from Buffalo Soldiers to the Six Triple Eight — are remembered, honored, and passed down to future generations.