Loveland, CO — one of several U.S. cities that offer special Valentine’s Day postmarks — celebrated 80 years of its remailing program at a special kickoff event earlier this month.
The remailing program receives hundreds of thousands of letters each year that each get a special cachet and postmark before they are sent to their final destinations.
Employees on hand to apply the special postmark included Jefferey “JD” Kohl Jr., acting Post Office operations manager; Angel Dinges, Boulder, CO, customer service support supervisor; and Kristine West, a Loveland letter carrier.
“This event is very special for Loveland, and I am proud to be here for its 80th year,” Loveland Postmaster Chad Daniel said.
A poetic tribute to a rural carrier
Postal workers’ diligence in the face of a harsh winter has inspired words of praise in print and online.
Judith Livesey, a contract rural carrier in Vermont, was the subject of a poem published in the local Addison County Independent newspaper last month.
“Judy, Our Lady of the Mails, braves hard roads and aggressive elements, the unexpected turn of events that can hazard every mile of carrying,” the ode begins.
It goes on to paint a picture of the imagined communications contained in the letters and packages she carries, and ends with Livesey — “modest, smiling, unhindered by the small stuff” — delivering the mail along with “her good wishes, her respect, and her genuine affection.”
Livesey said she was “extremely pleased that my customers think that much of me,” and added that many of them saw the poem and took the time to tell her they agreed with the sentiment.
Kaella Ryan, a retail associate at the East Middlebury, VT, Post Office, shared that Livesey is “somewhat of a local legend.”
Pittsburgh residents praise letter carriers after storm
A social media page devoted to spotlighting Pittsburgh’s “grit and glory” found those same qualities reflected in letter carriers’ work ethic during a recent storm:
“Huge respect to the USPS workers who carry the weight of the city one step at a time,” PGH Insights Facebook page posted.
“While most people stay inside, the USPS is out here climbing icy hills, hauling heavy mail, and making sure the city keeps moving. No spotlight. No praise. Just grit, consistency, and pride in the work.”
The post prompted comments from current and retired letter carriers and those with relatives employed by USPS.
“I’m a mail carrier in Pittsburgh, PA. I love the challenge!” Letter Carrier Marco Rivera wrote in a comment on the post. “I walk about 12 miles a day on my route, lots of hills.”
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