USPS Salutes Distinguished Sailors on Stamps

Today the Postal Service honors four heroes of the U.S. Navy at a dedication ceremony for the Distinguished Sailors collectible stamps at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington DC.

The First-Class Mail stamps commemorate four members of the Navy who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th Century.

William Sims (1858-1936) was a commander of U.S. naval forces in European waters during World War I and an outspoken reformer and innovator who helped reshape the Navy into a modern fighting force.

Arleigh Burke (1901-1996) served an unprecedented three terms as Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy’s highest-ranking officer. He oversaw development of nuclear-powered submarines and initiated the Polaris Ballistic Missile Program.

John McCloy (1876-1945) won two Medals of Honor. The first was for a rescue mission during the Boxer Rebellion in which he was wounded. McCloy earned his second Medal of Honor during the 1914 Mexican Revolt for intentionally exposing his boat to draw enemy fire to identify their positions for retaliation by U.S. cruiser gunfire.

Doris Miller (1919-1943) was the first black American hero of World War II. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Miller helped rescue scores of shipmates wounded or trapped in the wreckage. Miller later manned a 50-caliber machine gun, firing on Japanese aircraft, until ordered to abandon his position.

The stamps are available for sale nationwide starting today.

Love Stamp Art Says "P.S. I Love You"

When Arjang & Company’s managers decided on a name for their collection of USPS-licensed watches and jewelry, they thought of the words found at the end of many love letters. The “P.S. I Love You” collection uses Love Stamp art for its wristwatches and fine jewelry, decorative wall clocks, and porcelain gift sets.

Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away, but there’s still time to take advantage of Arjang & Company’s exclusive offer to postal employees — 40 percent off its unique watches. The discount is available at http://www.pscollectionstore.com/. Enter coupon code POSTAL at checkout. Or call 877-774-9682.

You'll Love the Valentine Selection at Our POs

Custodian Mike Adams loves the selection of Valentine cards available at the Fort Lauderdale Main Office. Photo: Tashia Romano-Kravitz

Need a Valentine card? Why drive to the local drug store when you can shop at the Post Office?

Now you can buy, address, and mail a greeting card --- including Valentine sentiments --- while conducting other postal business.

The Postal Service has expanded its greeting card network nationwide … just in time for Valentine’s Day. The South Florida District has added 27 sites, a total of 44 locations now offering cards for Valentine’s Day and many other occasions. New additions to the greeting card network include:

Atlantic Branch, 8801 W Atlantic Blvd, Coral Springs
Avenue of the Americas Postal Store, 1455 NW 107 Ave, Miami
Blue Lagoon Branch, 6200 NW 7 St, Miami
Coconut Creek Branch, 4233 W Hillsboro Blvd, Coconut Creek
Country Lakes Postal Store, 13520 SW 152 St, Miami
Davie Branch, 3850 S University Dr, Davie
El Mercado Postal Store, 2440 W 60 St, Hialeah
Father Felix Varela Branch, 14310 SW 8 Street, Miami
Flamingo Postal Store, 12590 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines
Golden Isles Finance Unit, 1800 E Hallandale Beach Blvd, Hallandale
Hallandale Post Office, 500 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale
Haverhill Branch, 3900 Haverhill Rd North, West Palm Beach
Hillcrest Postal Store, 4429 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood
Jensen Beach Post Office, 2301 NE Savannah Rd, Jensen Beach
Norland Branch, 18640 NW 2 Ave, Miami
Oceanview Station, 445 W 40 St, Miami Beach
Olympia Heights Branch, 3801 SW 117 Ave, Miami
Palmetto Park Postal Store, 1279 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton
Palms West Postal Store, 10299 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach
Port Saint Lucie Post Office, 2255 SE Midport Rd, Port Saint Lucie
Sunrise Branch, 3225 N Hiatus Rd, Sunrise
Sunset Branch, 7501 SW 117 Ave, Miami
Surfside Branch, 250 95 St, Surfside
Tequesta Branch, 401 Old Dixie Hwy, Jupiter
Town and Country Postal Store, 8266 Mills Dr, Miami
Tropical Reef Station, 1950 NE 6 St, Pompano Beach
University Postal Store, 7972 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines

Note: For a list of the original participating offices (still selling today), please refer to the blog posting, "Greetings and Salutations from a Post Office Near You," dated October 29, 2009.

USPS to Join Palm Beach Community in Celebrating Flagler Museum's 50th Anniversary

The Postal Service will be joining the Palm Beach community in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Flagler Museum.

Palm Beach Postmaster Dianna Dobson will hand cancel a special pictorial postmark to commemorate this special occasion from 10 am to 12 Noon on Saturday, February 6.

The postcard will include a stamp honoring the Museum’s founder and Henry Flagler’s granddaughter --- Jean Flagler Matthews. Each card will be signed by the Flagler Museum’s President and Henry Flagler’s great grandson --- George G. Matthews. A Centennial Coin, struck in 2002 to commemorate Whitehall’s 100th anniversary, also will be affixed to each postcard. Postcards will be sold at $5 each outside the museum's front gate.

When it was completed in 1902, Whitehall, Henry Flagler's Gilded Age estate in Palm Beach, was hailed by the New York Herald as "more wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world." Today, Whitehall is a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public as the Flagler Museum, featuring guided tours, changing exhibits, and special programs.

The Flagler Museum is located at Cocoanut Row and Whitehall Way. The museum is open from 10 am until 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and 12 Noon until 5 pm, Sunday. Admission is $18 for adults, $10 for youth ages 13-18, $3 for children ages 6-12, and children under six are free.

More information is available by calling the museum staff at 561- 655-2833 or visiting http://www.flaglermuseum.us/.

Thanks to West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator JoAnn Goodrich for her assistance in planning and promoting this event.

February 4 is "Thank a Mailperson Day"

In all kinds of weather and in all kinds of situations, letter carriers deliver our letters, packages, magazines, and catalogs.

Although the Postal Service has no official motto, the unofficial motto is: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

How did this creed originate?

It's the inscription found on the General Post Office in New York City at 8th Avenue and 33rd Street. An architectural firm that designed the Post Office included the inscription. It can be found in the works of Herodotus and describes the expedition of the Greeks against the Persians under Cyrus, about 500 B.C. The Persians operated a system of mounted postal couriers, and the sentence describes the dependability with which their work was done.

So with this in mind, remember to say "thanks" to your carrier who provides outstanding service 12 months a year.

"National Wear Red Day" is Friday, February 5

Marie Lochard-Lubin, Occupational Health Nurse Administrator, encourages administrative personnel to join her in wearing red on Friday, February 5.

Why? It's "National Wear Red Day" which calls attention to the prevention of heart disease.

"Too many women die each year because they are unaware that heart disease is their number one killer. Right now, one in three women die of cardiovascular disease and 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease," said Marie. "The good news is that by taking action, we can beat that statistic."

Marie encourages all women to become an advocate of heart health. Taking care of you is the first priority ... Getting empowered with the facts, finding a community of support, and making healthy changes to your diet and exercise.

"Help spread the word to those you love -- your mother, your sister, your neighbor, your friend ... because when you speak up, you help save lives," she said.

Last Call for "Federal Employee of the Year"

There’s still time to nominate a co-worker for “Federal Employee of the Year” recognition. But you’ll have to act quickly … the deadline to submit nomination packages is Friday, February 5.

Do you have a co-worker who consistently performs above and beyond the call of duty? One who deserves recognition for his or her heroic efforts demonstrated in a life-threatening situation? How about an employee who generously volunteers his or her time to benefit others in the community? These individuals all are worthy candidates for the “Federal Employee of the Year” Awards Program sponsored by the South Florida Federal Executive Board.

Postal nominees will compete with employees from several federal agencies in South Florida. Categories include: Administrative, Clerical/Administrative Support, Law Enforcement, Management (except Agency Head), Professional, Scientific, Service to the Community, Technical/Information Technology, Trades and Crafts, and Valor.

EAS and craft employees may nominate or be nominated. Nomination packages may be downloaded from the district website. Remember that nominations must be based on demonstrated performance and/or community activities between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009.

Send your completed nomination package to District Manager Tammy J. Autenrieth by the deadline --- Friday, February 5.

Questions about the nomination process? Contact Damaris Agrait, Manager, Learning Development and Diversity, at 305-470-0881.