In a heartfelt tribute to a trailblazing veteran, the southeast Raleigh post office has been officially renamed to honor Millie Dunn Veasey, a member of the history-making all-Black female World War II unit known as the Six Triple Eight, WUNC reports. Veasey, who passed away before she could witness this moment, is now permanently etched into the fabric of her hometown—a symbol of heroism and relentless spirit. The commemoration took place at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church with Congresswoman Deborah Ross, who spearheaded the bill leading to the renaming, speaking to honor Veasey's legacy, according to ABC11.
Millie Dunn Veasey's name rings through the chambers of history not just as a soldier but as a beacon for those we risk losing to the tides of time; she served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during a period when the contributions of Black women were often overlooked and as Eugene Dunn Jr, Veasey's nephew, recounts she could talk for days a recounting that came to life especially during her centennial birthday celebration, ABC11 reports. In an era where the erasure of historical accomplishments takes form in actions like the Department of Defense's removal of the webpage dedicated to the 6888th Battalion, such recognitions as the post office naming are pivotal to keeping these narratives alive, a sentiment pointed out by Veasey's family, who remain devoted to sharing her life and her stories.
Despite the Department of Defense's lapse in memory, the dedication of the Brentwood Road Post Office to Millie Dunn Veasey stands as a testament to her and the Six Triple Eight's impact, "That’s okay, the legacy lives on," Veasey's great niece said, "It’s in our hearts and it will always be there," CBS17 reports.
