Rural Carrier Jeffrey Ballenger was on his route in Belleville, IL, recently when he noticed mail accumulating in a customer’s mailbox.
The customer, a 93-year-old veteran, usually picked up his mail every day.
Ballenger knocked on the man’s front door but got no response. The Postal Service employee then shared his concern with the customer’s neighbors.
After the neighbors looked through the man’s window and saw him lying on the floor, they called paramedics.
“He had had a stroke. He was lying there for three days without any food, water or anything,” Ballenger said.
The man was taken to a hospital and continues to recover.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
