Honoring Veterans on November 11

Veterans Day, the annual observance honoring Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, is Thursday, November 11.

The Postal Service employs more than 145,000 veterans, about 24 percent of the workforce and more than any other employer in the nation. Many employees have been called to active duty, often serving six or more months.

Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. However, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, many Americans confuse this holiday with Memorial Day. Some Americans don't know why we commemorate veterans on November 11 so here’s the history so that we can properly honor our former service members:

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress --- at the urging of the veterans service organizations --- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed, with much confusion, on October 25, 1971.

Finally, on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law, which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on November 11.

Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or because of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans also are remembered on Veterans Day, but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military --- in wartime or peacetime.

Stamps by Phone, Lola Style

"Yes, Grandpa. This is a new kind of Stamps by Phone order. I need a book of the Holiday Evergreens Forever stamps to send my letters to Santa. If there's a line at the retail counter, use the Automated Postal Center. I think you call it the APC. You need to use your credit or debit card. Don't forget now."

Baby Lola is the granddaughter of Hialeah Officer-In-Charge Ernie Cintado.

Delivering Compassion

Thanksgiving Day, celebrated the fourth Thursday in November, has been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863.

When planning your Thanksgiving holiday, take a moment to reflect upon the comfortable lifestyle that our paychecks allow us to enjoy. Then think about individuals who are less fortunate than we are and consider what you could do to help them to a better life. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and the South Florida District’s Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive come to mind.

Your CFC donation will benefit individuals and families who truly are in need and who are represented by more than 20,000 nonprofit charitable organizations worldwide. The CFC is the nation’s largest workplace fundraising campaign, and this year’s theme is “The Compassion of Individuals, the Power of Community.” CFC canvassers continue to visit Post Offices to collect pledges from employees. Many employees are choosing payroll deduction.

Also, if you want to make a difference in your community, there’s the Thanksgiving Food Drive underway through Friday, November 19. Employees may deposit non-perishable food and canned goods in the designated Thanksgiving Food Drive containers set up at their facility. For additional information, contact Pat Nolan, Learning, Development and Diversity Office, at 305-470-0250.

A Halloween Special Delivery in Marathon

The Postal Service has a bright future. Here's Young Trevor, better known as TJ to family and friends, walking along his park and loop route (see the carriage?) on Halloween. He takes a break from delivering fun and collecting candy to pose in his carrier uniform. Parents Trevor and Paige Wofsey are both city carriers in Marathon and give TJ a helping hand on his route. Trevor's mother, Karen Smith, is a letter carrier in Key West.

Ad Hoc Positions Open in OPS

Are you looking to broaden your postal horizons? Here’s an opportunity to learn more about the Operations Programs Support Department. Currently, there are 13 --- Yes, you read that right --- 13 Ad Hoc positions (not to exceed one year) available to South Florida District employees who meet position requirements.

Customer Service Analyst (5 positions): Conduct functional reviews, provide program support to delivery and retail units, improve service and determine staffing needs throughout the district.

Route Examiner/Adjuster (8 positions): Conduct route inspections and perform adjustments, including providing support to the local units throughout the district with all aspects of the adjustment process.

Check your bulletin board for postings that include information on eligibility requirements, salary range, work schedule, and duties and responsibilities. If you’re interested, submit your e-Career profile and a letter of interest stating your qualifications and how you will benefit the team.

For the Customer Service Analyst position, send this information, by mail, to:

Mike Mersel, A/Manager, Delivery Programs
PO Box 829631
Pembroke Pines FL 33082-9631

For the Route Examiner/Adjuster position, submit your information, by mail, to:

Holly Lamberti, A/Route Examination/Adjustment Team Leader
PO Box 829614
Pembroke Pines FL 33082-9614

Deadline for all ad hoc position applications is COB, Wednesday, November 17.

USPS Offers "A Simpler Way to Holiday"

Post Offices across the country today are showing signs of the season. Building on its successful A Simpler Way to Ship advertising campaign — which touts flat-rate shipping — the Postal Service this season offers customers "A Simpler Way to Holiday."

“We know our customers want more time with their friends and families during the holidays and less time shipping gifts,” said Tim Healy, Vice President, Retail Products and Services. “We are highlighting the products and services that make holidays less stressful, less hectic — and yes, simpler — for our customers.”

Along with festive seasonal signs promoting flat-rate shipping, free package pickup and the new holiday Evergreens Forever stamps, select Post Offices and usps.com/shop are carrying a wide variety of products for holiday gift giving, gift wrapping, gift sending, including:

Holiday greeting cards — sold individually or in packs of 5 and 20.

Evergreens notecard set — includes eight blank cards, envelopes and eight Evergreens Forever stamps.

ReadyPost holiday mailing boxes and bubble mailers — for shipping or wrapping.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — classic holiday special. Customers who purchase both the DVD and Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box postage save $2 off the DVD price.

Let it Snow — CD features 11 holiday classics from well-known artists including Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. Customers who purchase both the CD and Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box postage save $2 off the CD price.

2010 Stamp Yearbook — 64-page, hardcover book includes colorful stamp images, illustrations and photographs, plus 65 collectible stamps.

The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps, 37th Edition — fully illustrated, four-color guide provides comprehensive information about every U.S. stamp issued from 1847 to 2010.

FEHB Open Season Opens November 8

It’s Open Season — the time of year when employees can sign up for benefit programs, change enrollments, or cancel their participation.

Open Season for three benefits programs — Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) — begins Monday, November 8.

FEHB and FEDVIP plans have changed significantly. For example, the 2010 Affordable Care Act changed FEHB eligibility requirements allowing children up to age 26 as eligible dependents for Self and Family coverage. Employees are asked to note that even if they keep the same FEHB plans and coverage automatically continues, their premiums may change. It’s also recommended that employees check their insurance coverage for details that could save them money. For example, if you’re enrolled in a family plan but no one else is covered by that plan, changing to the “Self Only” option will reduce your premiums.

Employees with FEHB plans that no longer will be offered must select a new plan or their health insurance coverage will end. Affected employees will receive a letter from the plan and from the Postal Service. Employees whose plan’s service area is changing also will be notified.

FSA — which can save money on taxes for eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses — also has changed. The Health Care FSA has added restrictions on coverage for over-the-counter drugs and medicines. Also, children who are not dependents on your taxes may now be covered under your Health Care FSA until December 31 of the year before they turn age 27. Employees who want an FSA for 2011 need to re-enroll — FSA coverage does not continue from year to year. FSA brochures with more details now are being mailed to all employees.

You can make FEHB and FSA selections on PostalEASE. For FEDVIP elections, go to http://www.benefeds.com/.

Open Season for the Annual Leave Exchange (ALE) begins Monday, November 15. Employees eligible to make an ALE election will receive a letter.

FEHB, FSA and FEDVIP booklets will be arriving in the mail. Look for the information and save it when it arrives. Additional Open Season information is in today’s edition of the Postal Bulletin.

You also can go to the “My HR” section on LiteBlue for more details.

You will need your Employee Identification Number (EIN) and USPS Personal Identification Number (PIN) to enter PostalEASE or LiteBlue.