Princeton PO Salutes Fallen Marine

L to R: Younger brother Jonathan Guzman Rivera, Grandmother, Mother Velma Torres, Christian Guzman Rivera. Photos provided via Facebook

Marine Corporal Christian Guzman Rivera

Marine Corporal Christian Armando Guzman Rivera was a combat engineer for the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Six years ago at the age of 21, he made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Today, postal employees and customers who frequent the Princeton Branch pause and reflect on his sacrifice each time they enter the Post Office building. Recently, the facility was dedicated in his memory thanks to a bill sponsored by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL 27th District) and signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Since losing her son, Torres, a 17-year career employee who delivers mail from Miami’s Quail Heights Branch, has made it her job to extol her son’s courage and sacrifice. Both Torres and her husband, Felix, Christian’s stepfather, never miss a patriotic, military or veterans event in Miami-Dade County. They always wear T-shirts with their fallen son’s image.

“The way I see it is that now I’m not only Christian’s mother, but the mother of a national hero,” Torres said.  “This carries a responsibility before the community and the world.”

Homestead Postmaster Ilia Gonzalez served as Master of Ceremonies as postal employees, district leadership, local officials, and community members gathered on the front lawn of the Princeton Branch to pay tribute to Guzman Rivera. Manager, Post Office Operations Joseph Croce, Jr., gave opening remarks.

“Ronald Reagan once said ‘some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don’t have that problem,’” Croce said.

Croce then introduced Ros-Lehtinen.

“I am proud to participate in the deserved dedication of a Post Office for our local hero, Christian A. Guzman Rivera, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us all,” said Ros-Lehtinen. “Christian’s selfless devotion to our country shows the commitment that he had to ensuring we live in freedom and we will forever be indebted to him for his heroism.”

The program continued as Captain Enming Luo, U.S. Marine Corps, reflected on Guzman Rivera’s unwavering commitment to preserving freedom, and then Croce, Ros-Lehtinen, and Torres unveiled the dedicatory plaque, now displayed in the Post Office lobby.

Tavernier PO to Host Passport Fairs, Saturdays, June 13 & July 11

Planning a vacation? Make the Tavernier Post Office the first stop of your journey.

Postmaster Eddy Suarez invites customers to apply for a passport at the Tavernier Post Office, 91220 Overseas Highway. The Post Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for passport transactions only Saturday, June 13, and Saturday, July 11. No appointments required.

How to Prepare for the Passport Application Process:

A completed application (form is available at usps.com/passport; but do not sign it until the passport clerk instructs you to do so).  Remember that everyone, including newborn infants, is required to obtain a passport in his or her own name. For children under age 16, the consent of both parents/ guardians is required. 

• Proof of identity (a valid permanent state driver’s license, a government ID or military ID, previous passport, Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization Certificate)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship (previous passport, original or certified birth certificate issued from the state with a raised, embossed, impressed, or multi-colored seal and the registrar’s  signature and date of certificate filing)
• Two official passport photos (available at the Passport Fair for $15)
• Social Security Number

The U.S. Department of State fees vary according to age and type. The fee(s) must be made by money order, check, bank draft, or cashier’s check made payable to the U.S. Department of State; debit and credit card payment is not available. The Passport Book fee for under age 16 is $80; for age 16 and older is $110. The Passport Card fee for under age 16 is $15, and for age 16 and older is $30. In addition, all acceptance agencies, including the Postal Service, charge a processing fee of $25 per application. A debit or credit card may be used in addition to cash, money order, or check made payable to the Postal Service.

Clark Retires after 42 Years

L to R: Fort Lauderdale Officer In Charge David Guiney, retiring Retail Associate Josephine Clark, and Manager, Customer Service Operations Alex Sepulveda strike a pose. 

Story & Photos: Amy McCall

Well wishers stopped by the Fort Lauderdale Main Office throughout the day to say goodbye to Josephine Clark who is retiring after 42 years of government service. The day started with sister Lisa Clark, Retail Clerk at the Pembroke Pines Branch stopping by with a cake and congratulations. The visitors continued throughout the day including her son who brought her roses. 

Clark began her career at the Seminole Station before  they moved and became the Fort Lauderdale Main Office. Fort Lauderdale Officer In Charge David Guiney and Manager, Customer Service Operations Alex Sepulveda congratulated Clark and presented her with her retirement certificate. 

“Forty-two years is a long time, that’s something I get up out of my chair  for,” said Guiney. Congratulations Josephine, well deserved!

Fort Lauderdale Main Office Retail Associate Josephine Clark snaps a photo of Manager, Customer Service Operations Alex Sepulveda (left) and Fort Lauderdale Officer In Charge David Guiney (right) as they congratulate her on her retirement after 42 years of government service. “I want to get a picture for my scrapbook,” exclaimed Clark.

Darrow Bids Farewell after 33 Years

L to R: Fort Lauderdale Officer In Charge David Guiney, Plantation Branch Letter Carrier James Darrow, Plantation Branch Manager, Customer Services Virginia Rhodes and Fort Lauderdale Manager, Customer Service Operations Alex Sepulveda.

Story & Photo: Amy McCall

Plantation Branch employees said goodbye to Letter Carrier James Darrow who dedicated 33 years of service to his customers. Co-workers showed their appreciation to Darrow and expressed how much they all were going to miss his kind and happy personality.
“Jim is one of a kind and he will be missed greatly,” said Manager, Customer Services Virginia Rhodes. 
Darrow is retiring with over 2,700 hours of accumulated sick leave. He urged his fellow employees to save their sick leave before he bid farewell.

Customer: 'Colee Gives Best Service'

Retail Associate Wadau (Fred) Ogionwo

Story & Photo: Amy McCall

"Colee Finance Unit gives the best service." That’s what Charlotte, NC Customer Patricia Dumser told Manager, Customer Services Thomas Petrush.

Dumser called Petrush specifically to commend Retail Associate Wadau (Fred) Ogionwo.

Dumser reports that upon her visit to the Colee Station, there was a high volume of customers, many with complicated transactions.  She could not believe how calm, cool, and efficient Ogionwo remained during her time in the lobby. She said that everybody there received friendly, efficient, professional service. 

“I have been to many Post Offices in my travels, but the best service I have ever received was at the Colee Finance Unit,” Dumser said.

Special Olympics Stamps Issued; Athletes Want to Hear from Fans!

The U.S. Postal Service celebrated the 2015 Special Olympics World Games by issuing the Special Olympics World Games Forever stamp.

The stamp will be sold at Post Offices nationwide. The stamp commemorates the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement, the Special Olympics Summer World Games, which occur once every four years will be held in Los Angeles this year from July 25 to August 2.

More than half a million spectators will enjoy nine days of challenging and inspiring international competition as more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries compete in 25 Olympic-type sports. The athletes will include 344 from the United States.

The annual Special Olympics Colorado Summer Games will be held in Grand Junction from June 5 through 7.

In honor of the release of the Special Olympics World Games Forever stamp, the U.S. Postal Service is inviting the American public to write letters of encouragement to Special Olympians. Here are some tips:

• Start with a salutation, such as "Dear Athlete" or "Dear Special Olympics athlete"
• Express your thanks to them for representing the United States at the World Games
• Share a little about yourself: family, hobbies, school or pets
• Talk about your favorite sport or event at the World Games
• Still can't find the words to express your support? Draw a picture instead using the Special Olympics World Games logo
• Use your first name only and no addresses, please
• Do NOT ask for personal contact information such as names, phone numbers or email addresses.

Mail your letters to:

Special Olympics USA

c/o National Events
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, RM 10545
Washington, D.C. 20260

New Elvis Stamp to Debut in August

Elvis Presley, who appeared on one of the most popular stamps of all time, will be featured on a new stamp in August, the Postal Service announced June 3.
Presley will be the sixth inductee into the Music Icons series. The stamp image will be revealed later.
The stamp will be dedicated Aug. 12 at Graceland, Presley’s Memphis, TN, home. The ceremony will be part of the annual Elvis Week celebration.
The first Presley stamp, issued in 1993, is considered one of the most popular because people saved more than 124 million stamps.
A year before the stamps were issued, the Postal Service invited the public to vote between images of a young or old Presley. About 1.2 million ballots were returned, with more than 75 percent preferring the younger version.
Previous Music Icons stamps featured Lydia Mendoza, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.