WPB Passport Fair: Saturday, June 17

Planning a vacation? Make a trip to the West Palm Beach Main Office the first stop of your journey.

On Saturday, June 17, the West Palm Beach Main Office, 3200 Summit Blvd, will host a Passport Fair from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No appointments required. Employee attendance is an off-the-clock activity.

U.S. citizens must present a valid Passport Book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a Passport Book, Passport Card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

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 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.

#PostalProud

 

Army Salutes Homestead Supervisor

Kimberly Harris Rodriguez, Supervisor, Customer Services, was the recipient of the ESGR Patriot Award at a ceremony recently held at the Homestead Post Office. ESGR Area Chair Brian Reynolds presented the award to Rodriguez in front of approximately 30 postal employees who then congratulated her.

The Patriot Award is the first in a series of Awards by ESGR presented to an individual supervisor at a National Guard or Reserve member’s civilian workplace. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Rodriguez (left, holding plaque) was nominated for the prestigious ESGR/Department of Defense Patriot Award by Army Reserve Sergeant Giovanni Trejos (front, kneeling) who is with the Army Reserve’s 7217
Medical Support Unit based at the Martinez Reserve Center in Perrine. In his nomination request for Rodriguez, Sergeant Trejos wrote that Rodriguez has continuously supported his participation as a member of the United States Army Reserve and always arranges his schedule so he can attend drill weekends, annual training and scheduled doctor’s appointments when needed.

ESGR Area Chair Brian Reynolds (left) and Sergeant Trejos (right) joined Homestead Postmaster Ilia Gonzalez (center), who signed a statement that recommitted the Postal Service’s support of the Guard and Reserve and its obligation to the Citizen Warriors who also serve as their employees. 

USPS Named Top Veterans Employer

Postal employees who’ve served in the military gather last year. From left are Joseph Tyler (Falls Church, VA, Post Office), U.S. Army; Generoso Cosio (Postal Police), U.S. Navy; Mitchell Carte II (Manassas, VA, Post Office), U.S. Army; Terrell Hill (Lanham, MD, Post Office), U.S. Navy; Damon Bailey (Washington, DC), U.S. Marines; Troy Keller (Arlington, VA, Post Office), U.S. Marines; Peter Miller (Bethesda, MD, Post Office), U.S. Army; and Gregory Suber (Laurel, MD, Post Office), U.S. Air Force.

The Postal Service is a national leader in employing veterans, according to a new survey by U.S. Veterans Magazine.

The publication polls government agencies, educational institutions and hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies for the annual survey.

For the second consecutive year, USPS ranked among top veteran-friendly companies. The Postal Service also ranked among the top government agencies for hiring veterans.

“The Postal Service is proud to be a national leader in employing veterans,” said PMG Megan J. Brennan. “Throughout our organization, veterans perform roles critical to the future of the Postal Service. We know that when we hire veterans, they have been trained to be highly organized, responsible and to deliver results.”

Approximately 113,000 Postal Service employees, or about 18 percent of the USPS workforce, are veterans.

The Postal Service has increased the number of veterans hired each year through partnerships with several veteran-friendly organizations and by participating in job fairs that target veterans.

U.S. Veterans Magazine, a quarterly publication, serves military readers across the nation.

Source: LINK

Remember to Fly the POW-MIA Flag

On Wednesday, June 14, people across the United States will celebrate Flag Day to honor the U.S. flag and commemorate its adoption as a symbol of freedom.  The date chosen for Flag Day is the day the Flag Act was first passed and is considered the birthday of the American flag. 

The proper display of the American flag is a sign of respect to our flag, our country --- and to the men and women who proudly serve (or have served) in defense of the United States.  Flag Day is a reminder for each of us to test our knowledge of flag etiquette to ensure that all postal facilities are in compliance with the laws relating to the U.S. flag.  Below are two references:

United States Code. Title 4, Chapter 1
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title4/html/USCODE-2011-title4-chap1.htm
The United States Flag Code stipulates that as the symbol of a living country, the flag is considered in itself a living thing.  The code outlines the proper ways to display the American flag.  These laws are supplemented by Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations. 

Administrative Support Manual – Section 471 – 476

http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/manuals/asm/html/asmc4_019.htm

This postal manual includes flag information ranging from proper display of the flag to requisition procedures to obtain a new flag.  

The Defense Authorization Act, Public Law 105–85, section 1082, requires that each year postal facilities display the POW–MIA flag on six specified days, including June 14, Flag Day.

The flag honors the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces held as Prisoners Of War or listed as Missing In Action.

The POW-MIA flag must fly below the U.S. flag.

Career Day & Dog Days of Summer

On May 17, Miami Flagler Station Letter Carrier Angela Mathis participated in “Career Day” at a local elementary school. Mathis explained her daily responsibilities as a Letter Carrier, and emphasized to the students, the importance of scanning so that their parents could track their online purchases.

“Maybe the package could be a gift for one of you,” she smiled.

Mathis spoke to the students on how properly to address a letter to their family and friends. She also talked to the children about helping their carrier from becoming a dog bite victim. 

"Please keep your dog on a leash or in the house when your carrier delivers the mail," Mathis said. 
 

Miami Flagler Station Letter Carrier Angela Mathis (above) was pleased that so many local elementary school students know how properly to address a letter.

Local elementary school students were intrigued with the scanner, which Miami Flagler Station Letter Carrier Angela Mathis (above) demonstrated during “Career Day.”

Photos: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte  

Miami PSE is Praised for Performance

Miami General Mail Facility (GMF) Postal Store Manager, Customer Services Larry Rogers (right) presented Postal Support Employee (PSE) Kiana Lawrence (left) with a gift card in recognition of her excellent service to her customers. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte