By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
The iconic mural outside Ben’s Chili Bowl, enjoyed by countless visitors and passersby, will soon be completely redone. The restaurant is asking for community input as to what significant figures from Black history should be included in the next mural to fill the space.
Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, is calling for members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, or “The Six Triple Eight” to be immortalized in the new mural.
Helm-Frazier noted that there were 36 D.C. natives assigned to the battalion that sorted more than 17 million pieces of mail during World War II, effectively clearing a backlog that had significantly impacted morale amongst the American troops fighting overseas.
“I think it would be a great honor for Ben’s chili bowl to have them up on the mural, along with all of those other great people that have made significant contributions to Washington, D.C.,” said Helm-Frazier. “I think the Six Triple Eight has made a significant contribution. They not only supported Washington, D.C., but they did across the country during that time.”
Helm-Frazier, along with retired Col. Edna Cummings, helped raise funds to build a monument at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. to recognize the 6888th’s exemplary service in WWII. She says that Ben’s Chili Bowl was the sight of the groups first in person meeting to start the project in April 2018.
Helm-Fraizer recalls seeing the mural and hoping to one day see the Six Triple Eight added.
“They not only did this mission, but they did it during a very terrible time in our country,” said Helm-Fraizer. “They faced racism, sexism and still had to get this mission completed, and they did.”
Ben’s Chili Bowl will reopen May 1, after renovations. The business is repainting the mural “after 9 years of glory and weather” according to its website.
“Ben’s Chili Bowl has been part of U Street since 1958. Our current mural was unveiled in 2017,” reads info released by the company. “Now, after 9 years, we’re redoing the mural…and we want to hear from you!”
Residents can submit 6888th or their own suggestion from now until May 10th on Ben’s Chili Bowl website.