RUSKIN, Fla. — During WWII, the thousands and thousands of Americans in Europe had been all the time on the transfer, and monitoring them down for mail appeared almost inconceivable, however not too inconceivable for Gladys Blount.
“I didn’t think much of it, I thought it was just part of the routine,” stated Blount.
In February of 1945, Blount and almost 850 different members of the all-black all-female 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Unit had been shipped to England to assist.
“It was exciting, there were boys,” stated Blount.
Now at 100 years previous, Blount remembers sorting by way of months, if not years, value of backlogged mail for U.S. troops.
“We put the new address on the envelope and forwarded them on,” stated Blount.
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Under dire circumstances, the ladies labored across the clock averaging 65,000 items of mail per shift and ending the duty in half the time they got. Their motivation was figuring out that getting mail from family members was important to maintain the combating troopers inspired.
“It was a big moral builder,” stated Blount.
Seventy-seven years later, the unsung WWII hero is lastly getting her personal ethical builder.
Not solely had been members of the “Six-Triple-Eight” battalion awarded the congressional gold medal this 12 months, however Blount was honored by Hillsborough County leaders and given the important thing to the town of her hometown of East Orange, New Jersey.
Blount’s daughter, Eva Davis, stated she’s overwhelmed by the gratitude proven to her mom in spite of everything this time.
“I just appreciate the fact that people appreciate what she did, I think others appreciate it more than she does,” stated Davis.
Even whereas going through discrimination, sexism, and horrendous circumstances, Blount nonetheless doesn’t suppose her part was that large of a deal. But she stated she is honored to have served her nation.
“I’m very proud,” stated Blount.
