Recent premieres at Arizona State University and the stirrings in Milwaukee are serving more than just popcorn and a flick at the local cinemas; they're dishing out a hefty slice of long-overdue recognition. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—better known, with a ring of quiet power, as the Six Triple Eight—is finally in the Hollywood spotlight. The battalion, an all-Black, all-female military unit from WWII, whose story was almost dusted away over time, has found new life on the big screen and streaming services, thanks to the movie "The Six Triple Eight" directed by Tyler Perry and starring Kerry Washington, as detailed by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Moving beyond the frames of the film, living legend and Six Triple Eight veteran, Retired Major Fannie McClendon, at 104 years young, was in attendance at ASU's exclusive screening, an event that sparked nostalgia but also a sense of accomplishment. "Unbelievable, I can’t believe this is happening," she said, being transported back to her days of service, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. Bracing herself against the years spent overseas, McClendon witnessed a portrayal of her past, stating, "Those uniforms, the way they are dressed, that is familiar to me."
Meanwhile, the heartland's centenarian, Anna Mae Robertson, hailed in Milwaukee as one of the pillars behind what some may call a postal miracle, was celebrated by her daughter, Sheree Robertson. In a garage filled with backlogged mail, Robertson and her peers of the Six Triple Eight tackled a three-year pileup, turning chaos into order in a mere 90 days—twice. "They still felt a duty to go in there and do an outstanding job," Sheree Robertson extolled in an interview with the Journal Sentinel. This sentiment resonates through the battalion's motto: "No Mail, Low Morale."
It's not just about the past; the film and these women's lived experiences echo into the present. Brigadier General David Berkland from Luke Air Force Base, while paying respects to McClendon, remarked on the adversity the battalion faced, saying, "On a good day it’s challenging to do so amidst adversity and social challenges, makes it more inspiring that they were able to do so and do so with excellence," according to FOX 10 Phoenix. The film's reach extends well into the streaming realm, slated to hit Netflix audiences on December 20, immortalizing the contributions of these unsung heroes for an even broader viewership.
