Employee Town Hall Meeting Nov 20 at City of Port St Lucie Civic Center

District Manager Jeffery A. Taylor and members of the South Florida District leadership team extend an invitation to meet them at an informal town hall meeting Wednesday, November 20th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, at the City of Port St Lucie Civic Center, 9221 SE Civic Center Place, Ruby Room 1, Port St Lucie, FL. This off-the-clock event is a great opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and make suggestions to the leadership:

• Jeffery A. Taylor, District Manager
• Robert Weiser, Manager, Post Office Operations
• Jann Miller, Manager, Human Resources
• Janice Atherly, A/Manager, Operations Programs Support
• Olivia Mulloy, A/Manager, Finance
• Jose R. Puig, A/Manager, Information Systems
• Debra Fetterly, Communications Programs Specialist

Additional employee town hall meetings at locations throughout the district will be scheduled during the fiscal year.

Key West Veterans Day Parade

Back Row:  Karina Bowders, Patricia Bonay, Taran Edge, Bob Killen, Susan Rineer, Caroline MacDonald, Gregory White Sr., Felix Balbuena

Front Row: Liv Bowders, Samara MacDonald,  Gregory White Jr., Mastien Diaz Fernandez

Photo Credit:  Jane Evans

Key West Post Office float

The Postal Service got some well-deserved positive publicity thanks to the participation of Florida Keys employees and their families in the annual Veterans Day parade in Key West.  Special thanks to Key West Postmaster Jane Evans for sharing photos below and ensuring that the parade announcer knew that the Postal Service is the largest employer of veterans in the country.  (Note:  Largest after the Department of Defense.)   Postmaster Evans and Key West employees participate in the parade every year and invite other Keys postal employees to  join them in these off-the-clock festivities.

Please read the Key West Citizen article, “Pride and Patriotism at the Annual Veterans Day Parade,” posted under "Media Highlights" on the Corporate Communications page of the district website.

Postal Service 'Forever' Salutes WWII Medal of Honor Recipients

On Veterans Day, the U.S. Postal Service dedicated the World War II Medal of Honor Forever stamps — paying tribute on Veterans Day and everyday going forward to the 464 American veterans who received the nation’s highest military honor for going above and beyond the call of duty during the Second World War.

The dedication took place at the National World War II Memorial where two of the eight living World War II recipients of the nation’s highest military honor joined in the dedication as part of a ceremony conducted by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial.

“Our challenge as a nation is to never forget the sacrifices all of these individuals made on our behalf,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in dedicating the stamps. “We hope these new Medal of Honor Forever stamps will provide everyone with one more way to preserve our veterans’ stories for future generations.”

Joining Donahoe in dedicating the stamps were World War II Medal of Honor recipients Army Master Sergeant Wilburn Ross of Dupont, WA; Army Private and retired postal employee George Sakato of Denver, CO; widow of Army Second Lieutenant/Senator Daniel Inouye, Irene Hirano Inouye of Honolulu, HI; past President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society/Marine Corps retired Colonel and Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Harvey “Barney” Barnum; Chairman, Friends of the National World War II Memorial/retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Claude Mick Kicklighter; Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; and National Park Service National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Robert Vogel.

Recounting his experience near heavily defended Hill 617 near Biffontaine, France in October 1944, Sakato recalled saying to himself, “What the hell? Why?” Sakato continued, “When he died, I got so mad, I cried and ran up that hill. I don’t know where I got the energy to do that.”

In his single assault, Sakato killed 12 and personally captured four enemy soldiers. His unit, inspired by his bravery, followed him to capture 34 prisoners. Sakato was recommended for the Medal of Honor but was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Fifty five years later, in 2000, his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

“I didn't think I did the heroics credited to me. I was just mad out of my mind when I charged up the hill. I thought I might die, but I was going to die trying.  To be part of this stamp dedication is humbling,” said Sakato. “I share this honor with all the other brave men and women who sacrificed.”

That same month, near St. Jacques, France, after his company lost all but three of its men while fighting a company of elite German mountain troops, Wilburn Ross positioned his light machine gun in front of his riflemen and began firing to absorb the enemy’s attack. He killed or wounded 58 Germans in more than five hours of continuous combat and saved the surviving remnants of his company. He remained at his post for 36 hours.

“I did what I was supposed to do without thinking,” the soft spoken Ross said. “I didn’t think much about what the medal meant to me then, but now it means a lot. I’m grateful to be associated with members of the Medal of Honor Society. They are all selfless individuals who serve as role models to the community. These stamps will help tell their story.”

West Palm Beach: 'Get Your Pink On'

Riviera Beach Station wins Honorable Mention Photo Category and winner of most employee involvement.

City Place Station – Best Photo Category for a Station – Photo Collage – Lower Left Corner, Valerie Carbone, Manager, Customer Service with daughter Chelsea

Article & Photos:  LuAnn Warner, Customer Relations Coordinator, West Palm Beach

“Get your pink on” was the common phrase used in West Palm Beach recently. EAS employees wore pink every Thursday during October to heighten awareness and show support for efforts to find a cure for breast cancer.  By the last Thursday in October, the enthusiasm spread to all employees in the branches and stations in the effort to fight for the cause. 

Joe Hawk, Manager, Customer Service, Wellington Station, shared his knowledge that even men are affected by breast cancer.  Joe’s father-in-law is a survivor of breast cancer.  Stories of survivors and stories of those who were remembered in the fight became commonplace throughout the city of West Palm Beach as employees freely spoke of the subject.  When Valerie Carbone, Manager, Customer Services, City Place Station’s daughter Chelsea asked her why she was wearing pink,  Valerie told her that it was in effort to create awareness for breast cancer. Chelsea soon was wearing the pink to her high school, where she was quizzed as to why she was wearing pink, spreading the awareness even further.

The friendly competition soon spilled over into the offices competing for Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp sales.  Palms West Station was the top achiever for stamp sales, increasing its sales 530% over SPLY, selling $450.45 of the stamps. Haverhill Branch increased its Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp sales 867.50% over SPLY, selling $425.70 of the stamps. Total stamp sales for the West Palm Beach offices were approximately $1642.85 for October.  

City Place Station won “Best Photos” for a station category, with Honorable Mention awarded to  Riviera Beach Station.  Cheryl Granville, A/Supervisor, Customer Service, Wellington Station, won Best Photo for a single photo.  

Cheryl Granville, Acting Supervisor, Customer Service, Wellington Station won Best Photo – Single Category

Palms West Branch – Top Breast Cancer Sales Winner – Employees showing support for survivors and honoring those who lost the fight.

Haverhill Station – 2^nd Place Breast Cancer Research Stamp Sales  - L to R: Suzette James, Supervisor, Customer Service; Jean Pierre Yves, Manager, Customer Service.

Safety is His Priority --- Make It Yours!

By John Booth

“Please be careful!”

“Have a safe ride!”

“Call me when you get there!”

“Be careful today at work!”

“See you tonight, be careful!”

“I love you, see you later!”

When we leave our homes each day, we hear our loved ones send us off with a gesture of their love and concern. Somewhere after we get to work, we forget what the important element of our day:  OUR SAFETY!

We confuse it with:

“How many sick calls?”

“Wonder if we make it back in eight?”

“It’s a new route, and I don't know it.”

The list is endless.

You've all said:  “How about, I'll call you when I get out?” “Oh, I can't talk now,” or “Call me back,” or “I really like my new ear piece, smart phone, ipod etc.”

As a new South Florida District Safety Team member, I am committed to making SAFETY what will bring you HOME to your loved ones every day. I have the support of NALC Branch 1690 and the Postal Service and will be diligently working on issues that concern your safety.

We, as a team, inspect offices that have a history of accidents and will identify, correct, and follow up on situations of housekeeping, OSHA violations, carrier street concerns and much more.  

I am a carrier with 28 years of service and 28 years of involvement in the NALC. YOUR SAFETY IS FIRST! The proof is in the action, WE GET RESULTS!

Get off the phones! Wear your seatbelt! Close your door! Turn off the vehicle when it’s not occupied! Stop at intersections! Rubber bands and steering wheels will get your attention! Reward yourself every day by having a SAFE DAY!

Carrier Saves Customer's Life

On Tuesday, October 22, Letter Carrier Jesus Malvarez was delivering his assigned route at 4033 Park Ave in Coconut Grove.  Olga, a customer he’s known for the 10 years on the same route, was screaming for help.  Her door was open.  Olga was lying on the floor, trembling with chest pains.  He immediately called 9-1-1.  He stayed with the customer, being coached by paramedics on the phone until Fire Rescue arrived and took the customer to the closest hospital on South Bayshore Drive.  He is credited with preventing his customer from having a fatal heart attack.

Postal Supervisor Marietta Capote says Carrier Malvarez is a conscientious and caring person who is concerned about his customers and his community. 

"He deserves to be recognized on his good deeds above and beyond the call of duty," she said.

Capote has nominated her employee for PMG Hero recognition.

Photo:  Mariette Capote

'National PCC Day' Celebrates Partnership with Mailing Industry

The PCC of Broward County, Miami-Dade County PCC, and PCC of the Palm Beaches joined together for "National Postal Customer Council Day" at Jacaranda Villages in Plantation FL. Sponsors were posted on the above board which greeted postal executives/managers and mailing industry representatives.

Jo Ann Feindt, Vice President, Area Operations, Southern Area; Mary Hall, Voter Services and Registration Director, Broward County Supervisor of Elections Department; and Jeffery A. Taylor, District Manager, South Florida District, enjoy the opportunity to get together at the PCC event.  Photo:  Mirtha Uriarte

Hall joined the Broward County Supervisor of Elections on May 4, 1986 and is responsible for managing, planning and directing the activities of Absentee Ballots, Early Voting, Petitions and Voter Registration in the Voter Services Department.  Hall is responsible to ensure security and integrity of Absentee Ballot, Early Voting processing and cost efficient and effective operation of voter services for the Supervisor of Elections organization through strategic planning to promote Supervisor of Elections operations. 

Opa Locka Postmaster Manuel Ferrer (L) and West Palm Beach Postmaster Rich Fermo (R) take a moment to pose for the camera.  Photo:  Mailin Donahue