A Hero Remembered: Raleigh Honors Trailblazer Millie Dunn Veasey with Post Office Renaming

Her legacy is now permanently etched into American history.

In a moving ceremony that blended remembrance with celebration, the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, officially renamed the post office at 2777 Brentwood Road as the “Millie Dunn Veasey Post Office.” The dedication pays tribute to a pioneering woman whose extraordinary service — both in uniform and in the fight for civil rights — helped shape the course of American history (WRAL News).

A Life of Service and Sacrifice

Born in Raleigh in 1918, Millie Dunn Veasey made history as a member of the famed 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female battalion deployed overseas during World War II (The Washington Post). The “Six Triple Eight,” as they were known, was responsible for clearing massive backlogs of undelivered mail for American soldiers stationed in Europe.

The unit’s motto — “No Mail, Low Morale” — spoke volumes about their mission. In war zones like Birmingham, England, and Rouen, France, Veasey and her fellow soldiers worked around the clock in cold, dimly lit warehouses to process millions of letters and packages that connected troops to their loved ones back home. Their efficiency and discipline became legendary, restoring morale to countless servicemen on the front lines (NPR).

A Champion for Justice at Home

After returning from Europe, Veasey refused to let her service be the end of her story. She pursued higher education, earning degrees from Saint Augustine’s University and North Carolina Central University before dedicating herself to community service and civil rights activism.

During the Civil Rights Movement, she marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and served as president of the Raleigh-Wake chapter of the NAACP, helping to organize voter registration drives and advocate for desegregation in North Carolina schools (ABC News). Her lifelong commitment to justice earned her widespread respect and several community awards.

Congresswoman Deborah Ross, who introduced the legislation to rename the post office, described Veasey as “an American hero — a veteran and civil rights leader who served in the only overseas all-Black women’s battalion, ensuring that soldiers on the front lines received letters from loved ones at home. She led a remarkable life — one that we should celebrate.” The bill was later signed into law by President Joe Biden, ensuring that Veasey’s contributions would be honored for generations to come (The New York Times).

Honoring the “Six Triple Eight”

In recent years, public awareness of the 6888th Battalion has grown significantly. Their courage and dedication have been highlighted in museums, documentaries, and most recently, in Tyler Perry’s upcoming Netflix film The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington, which dramatizes the unit’s efforts to restore soldiers’ morale during the war (Variety).

Historians note that Veasey and her battalion challenged both racial and gender stereotypes of their era, proving that patriotism and excellence know no boundaries. “They fought two wars at once — one against fascism abroad, and one against discrimination at home,” said military historian Jerri Bell in an interview with NPR.

A Legacy That Lives On

Millie Dunn Veasey passed away peacefully in 2018 at the age of 100, leaving behind an enduring legacy of bravery, leadership, and compassion. She was laid to rest at the Raleigh VA National Cemetery, surrounded by the community she served so passionately.

Today, the newly renamed Millie Dunn Veasey Post Office stands as a powerful symbol of gratitude and remembrance. For the residents of Raleigh, it is more than just a federal building — it’s a permanent monument to a woman who defied barriers, lifted others, and embodied the very best of America’s spirit.

As Congresswoman Ross said at the ceremony, “Every letter that passes through these doors will now carry the name of a woman who delivered hope when the world needed it most.”