Top of page

Archive: 2025 (2 Posts)

Black and white photo of a woman in a wedding dress made from parachutes

The Parachute Dresses of World War II: A Story of Resilience, Romance and Resourcefulness

Posted by: Kerry Ward

This post recounts three stories of formal dresses that were made out of World War II silk parachutes. In two cases, they were wedding dresses, meaning that silk once intended for war had been transformed into a symbol of new beginnings. These stories are striking reminders that history isn’t just found in archives or interviews—it’s stitched into uniforms, tucked into footlockers and woven into parachute silk transformed into wedding gowns. These everyday artifacts speak volumes, capturing emotion, memory and meaning in ways words sometimes cannot. The stories come from the collections of the Veterans History Project.

Posted in: Oral History, Photographs, Veterans History Project, Weddings, Women's History, World War II

Carrying the Mail: Honoring the Resilience of the 6888th Postal Battalion

Posted by: Kerry Ward

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the remarkable stories of those who came before us, especially the courageous women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, highlighted in Tyler Perry’s recent Netflix film, The Six Triple Eight. Just like the beginning of a new …

Posted in: African American History, Cultural Heritage, Diverse Experiences in Service, Narratives, New Year's Day, Occupations and Specialties in Service, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project, Women's History