ASU hosts Six Triple Eight movie premier, honoring legacy of WWII women's battalion
TEMPE, Ariz. - A historic all-black, all-female battalion deployed overseas in World War II is being memorialized with a new movie.
One of the last remaining members of that group lives in Arizona.
Retired Major Fannie McClendon is only one of two women still alive today from the Six Triple Eight.
Arizona State University rented out a theater to showcase the new movie, providing an opportunity for 104-year-old Fannie McClendon to relive those moments and watch the film for the first time.
"Unbelievable, I can’t believe this is happening," she said.
At 104-years-old, the retired Major is realizing a moment she never thought would come.
"We never believed we would be doing such things in such places as we were doing," the Tempe native said.
As she sits in the Tempe theater, the memories come flooding back.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known by their nickname, the Six Triple Eight, was responsible for delivering hope in the form of 2 years’ worth of backlogged mail during World War II.
"Those uniforms, the way they are dressed, that is familiar to me," McClendon said.
It is an inspiring feature that shows a path paved for women of color. An unknown story, now dramatized into the feature film "The Six Triple Eight" for the world to see.
"These women were excellent, the epitome of excellence because they had to be. They had to show that they were better than everybody else in order to just be seen," said Wanda Wright, director, Office of Veteran and Military Academic Engagement at ASU.
The movie can be seen by millions on Netflix, bringing the battalion's motto to life: no mail, low morale.
"We have a role to play that’s just as important to play or even more so in society. We are perfectly capable and competent. That was a moment in history that gave black women in particular the opportunity to step up and show what they were capable of," said Paloma Greenwald, the wife of a retired Airforce airman.
Current servicemen and women like Brigadier General David Berkland from Luke Air Force Base came to pay their respects to Fannie and the Six Triple Eight, admiring the adversity they faced.
"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," said Brig. Gen. Berkland.
It’s been nearly 80 years and the film takes Fannie McClendon right back to those days spent overseas.
"We got through it, and I’m amazed that we did," she said.
What is Fannie's secret to youth, at 104 years old, you might ask?
She says she doesn’t pay attention to age and focuses on enjoying life.
Her message to younger generations is keep being curious.
The film will be streamed starting December 20th.