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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
NO MAIL, LOW MORALE
“I have a dream.” Dr. King’s words gave Millie hope for an end to her beloved country’s racial divide as she returned home from the march in Washington.
Before she could open her door, someone tapped her shoulder. She whipped around to be caught in the blue-eyed gaze of a Raleigh policeman.
“Mrs. Veasey, were you in the 6888 Postal Directory Battalion during WWII?”
“And proud of it.” She stiffened. “We were the first black, female division in the US Army.”
“I was PFC Nelson…Belgium. No mail for months, until—” He saluted. “Thank you for your service, Ma’am.”
***
CLICK for more info about Mrs. Veasey and the Six-Triple-Eight
.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Now that’s not the encounter between a civil rights activist and a white cop I was expecting
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Dear Neil,
That means you went where I wanted you to go. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sadly, for far too long, PFC Nelson held a minority view in that part of the country.
Feelgood tale, m’lady.
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Dear CE,
I’d like to think that somebody who’d benefitted from these ladies’ service would have the decency to say thank you. Thank you, kind sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely tribute to Mrs. Veasey and other ladies in the Postal Directory Battalion during WWII, Rochelle. Thanks for the additional information. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I’m glad you enjoyed. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fitting tribute to an often overlooked section of the war effort. There were many others. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
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Dear Sandra,
There were indeed many others. And as far as the 6-Triple-8 I had trouble deciding which lady to spotlight. Sad that so many are being honored posthumously. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Touching tribute.
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Thank you, Trent.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thank you for the twist in my neck! I was not expecting such a wonderful ending! What a beautiful woman she was.
Shalom and lotsa love through the mail,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I hope your neck has recovered. She was beautiful, wasn’t she? And the 6888 gave me so many to choose from. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom and lotsa mail-in hugs,
Rochelle
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Barely… She truly was. Did it now? I’ve no doubt! 🙂
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It’s the little things that matter. Often they are taken for granted. Uplifting story.
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Thank you, Tanille.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This made my heart sing! — How wonderful for him to remember how much getting a letter from home meant to him and for her to hear her service meant more than she knew at the time! A cheery tale before the latest snowstorm hits 🌨❄️
Shalom (stay warm!),
Dora
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Dear Dora,
Glad to send out warmth. We’ve had precious little of it here, lately. 😉 Thank you for your encouraging comments. I’d like to think that somebody had the decency to say thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a sweet story, Rochelle. Perfect for this month, too.
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Dear Josh,
I love this month for learning about some amazing humans I’d never heard of before. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I believe that in studying Black History, it is critical to take time to read about the heroes as well as the victims. This story is a great example of the former, thank you for introducing me to Mrs Veasey. What a wonderful woman.
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Dear Jen,
There were so many heroes over the years. People I’d never heard of. I love Black History month for that reason. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story from historical events that few people knew about. This story came from an extensive article published in the VFW magazine. I don’t remember ever hearing about this 6888 Postal Directory Battalion before reading this article but, I can tell you from personal experience how important morale is tied to getting mail from your family & friends when you are half a world away. These ladies should have ALL received medals for what they accomplished. Thanks for the educational story of a little known WW2 Battalion.
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Dear Jan,
The VFW article was my jumping off point. Thank you for that. There was a lot online including a special websites honoring many of the ladies. My only quandary was which lady to choose. Mrs. Veasey lived past 100 was given a special medal by President Obama. She had gone on to be a productive member of the NAACP. I love history. Thanks m’luv
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I love the stories of individual strength, hope, character and just plain goodness that get overlooked by the more dramatic and often ugly things in our news broadcasts these days. This is a real “upper.”
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Dear Linda,
I’m glad you found my story uplifting. There are good people in the world and I love finding their stories. Black History month is usually a treasure trove for learning about extraordinary people who got passed over. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great that he appreciated their work 🙂
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Dear Bernadette,
I’d like to think someone appreciated and took the time to say thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Letters from home mean so much, though the postal service doesn’t often get thanks!
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Yes, they do, Liz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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PS. Love the “I’m not short” shirt 🙂
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My sister in law got that shirt for me. One of my favorites. “I’m not short. I’m built low to the ground for speed and accuracy.” 😉
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Querida Rochelle,
A very informative write on how things were. It’s another issue of what happened
to black people. I thank them all for their service.
Abrazos y Carino,
Be Safe 😷 Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
It’s mind boggling, isn’t it? How did a country originally inhabited by bronze people come to be ruled by the glaringly white? We make a point, anytime we can, to thank vets for their service. Gracias.
Shalom y abrazos mi amiga.
Rochelle
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A very fittimg tribute to some unsung heroines.
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Many thanks, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, your story today is a real heartwarmer. Bless her and the others who sorted through and distributed all of that mail to the other soldiers..
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
Always my pleasure to share. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are most welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I like the way you turn our expectation on its head. Clever writing, Rochelle!
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Dear Penny,
What a lovely thing to say. 😀 Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellently done! Love how to turned the tension around and released it. Lovely.
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah
You’ve given me reason for wide smiles. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 xx
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I had no idea such a thing as Postal battalions existed, let alone an all black female one. Thanks for another illuminating tale.
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Dear Iain,
My husband pointed out an article in one of his veteran’s magazines. It made me want to dig deeper. Happy to share. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i didn’t expect it to end like that but happily it did. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
I’m pleased to have caught you by surprise. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thanks for sharing this and I’m happy that I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome of this encounter. What a remarkable woman and the contribution of the other women of the Postal Battalion.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
She was definitely a trailblazer. I’d like to think there were soldiers who had the decency to say thank you. 😉 And thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
Beautiful and timely story. Thank you so much for sharing.
Anne
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Dear Anne
Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The war must be full of stories like these from these women, fascinating unearthing semi forgotten tales Rochelle, genius as per.
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Dear Shrawley,
I’m sure there are stories of unsung heroes we’ll never ever know. I’m happy this one came to light. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If there are you’ll dig em out! Brilliantly interesting as usual Rochelle
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She had every right to feel proud. Thanks for reminding us about her Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
It was a pleasure to find and share her story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aw, that’s lovely, I was fearing an arrest 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I’m happy to have surprised you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for the beautiful and inspirational story! I love the photo of Dunn Veasey and President Obama saluting each other and her gorgeous smile.
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Dear Brenda,
Can you imagine the elation she must’ve felt to be saluted by the president? Makes me smile, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
I like the combinations of all the elements here, the twist ending, the common connection of being veterans, plus the history lesson about the Postal Directory Battalion. These are the stories that should be told more often. I hope you’re doing well and staying warm.
-David
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Dear David,
I love finding the obscure, yet heroic, people who helped make a difference and share their stories. 😀 Glad you enjoyed.
Things are starting to thaw after a week of record-setting low temps. Fortunately we’ve had heat inside and are staying well. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wish we had racial equality. Always nice seeing glimmers of it here and there Good history lesson and good story.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
While we have racial equality “on the books” we don’t really have it in many hearts, do we? Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another beautiful tribute. But I really wish you’d stop posting stories that make my eyes sting. 😀
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Dear Genia,
Your stinging eyes are high praise. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful, you captured the sentiment of many who looked forward to a letter. It was confirmation that everyone at home thought of you and made you feel close to them. Equally important and appreciated was the moral boosting effect of the hard work and effort to get those letter through. Some in very difficult situations. Great story.
Distractions this week have meant that I missed my writing time.
Many thanks, Take care now.
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Dear James,
We forget in our world of technology and emails what power of a handwritten letter has, don’t we? Thank you for taking the time from your distractions to read and comment. You’re presence on the squares is missed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How amazing. This is a story I never knew. What incredible women.
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Dear Laurie,
So much history to learn. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You never cease to amaze. It is interesting seeing where this prompt took you, and I enjoyed reading Sergeant Veasey’s story.
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p.s. I forgot all about that photo.
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Dear Ted,
Sometimes I don’t use a photo right away, but keep it tucked away in a file. (I could use a few more 😉 ) Glad you liked where it took me. Thank you for the sweet comment and the photo. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely tribute to Mrs. Veasey and her colleagues. For soldiers desperate to get any news from home, she and her colleagues were probably the only bright spot in those times.
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Dear Subroto,
They did a tremendous service with little recognition or fanfare, didn’t they? Thank you re my little story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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