Imagining the Complexities of WWII, the Histories, and the Stories Told (or Retold). I Never Thought About Written Communication

My grandpa Spence served in World War II, the Pacific rim, and as kids we would sometimes rummage through the letters he wrote to my grandmother, Annie, often with reference to Rosie (we'd later unravel), which to me was historical referencing. I never thought about letters written to soldiers or from soldiers back to their families. In our rapid, quick, everyone-has-an-opinion world of social media, I was taken back while watching Six Triple Eight on Netflix (happened upon it while trying to quiet my mind) and learned historical trivia I was previously ignorant of...the importance of word-to-heart communication from soldiers on the battle field, morale, and the importance of those living still on the Homefront.

Kerry Washington always amazes me, and I worry much that we're too often drawn to dramatic retellings, rather than documents, so I found myself reading on the knowledge surrounding the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and what they accomplished in for the United States, those on the frontlines, and the efficiency it took to make the U.S. successful at the time. 

A sixth-month assignment accomplished, despite tremendous obstacles (way to racial - imagine that), in 90 days. Amazing. Admirable. And never presented before my eyes until I happened upon it doom-seeking on a weekend night. I wanted to watch something to get me thinking, and it did.

Major Charity Adams, and the women under her command, should be celebrated in history courses, truth-telling, and the grand narrative of what makes the United States what it was/is/and could be. Remarkable. 

I continue to learn and relearn why history should come first. Primary sources. Evidence. Honesty. Yes, I'm sure the film took dramatic liberty as Hollywood does, but the heart and soul behind the story is, in fact, American history that serves as a reminder that the United States is made of a pluralistic society fighting for democracy, freedom, liberty, and justice for all. 

I ended up in a rabbit hole of history, which I'm sure will continue for a while now. The was no public recognition of the service at their time, but it came years later as historians unraveled more of the story that luckily turned out as it did. Phew. I imagine the hardest part of aging is that I can't learn everything there is to learn. It's simply alarming to me that such knowledge was not presented to me until a happenstance moment. 

Just incredible.