Friday, August 1, 2025
This dog stole a letter carrier’s heart
The Texas employee was first in line to become the pet’s new owner
When Denton, TX, Letter Carrier Ian Burke learned a former customer had died, there was one thing he wanted to do: Adopt his dog.
“He’s a very handsome boy. So well-behaved, very kind to everybody, never met a stranger. Just the ideal dog,” Burke said.
The customer, Ken Meyer — a disabled Vietnam veteran who used a wheelchair — died in May. His service dog, Pretty Boy Floyd, was then turned over to a local animal shelter.
The Postal Service employee headed to the shelter the next day before it opened to ensure he was first in line to become the 70-pound dog’s new dad.
Burke’s generous act was the focus of a local TV news segment that aired in several markets around the country and was featured in an article on People.com.
“I think what I did is just the normal thing for letter carriers to do, which is to help people,” he said, adding that he hopes the hoopla will inspire others to adopt shelter dogs.
Burke isn’t sure what sort of breed mix Floyd is but guesses there’s some German shepherd and border collie in there
“He likes to herd his toys and patrol around the house,” he said. “I don’t know what his mix is but he’s 100 percent dog.”
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These stamps come from Bikini Bottom
A new release features SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends
The Postal Service will release stamps featuring characters from Nickelodeon’s animated children’s show, “SpongeBob SquarePants,” on Friday, Aug. 1.
Since its debut in 1999, “SpongeBob SquarePants” has become a cultural phenomenon.
Each episode features the perpetually optimistic titular sea sponge and a colorful cast of characters embarking on various adventures around the undersea town of Bikini Bottom.
Created by Stephen Hillenburg, a marine biologist and animator, the series is one of the most-watched cartoons in history.
The stamps feature four designs. The first showcases a host of Bikini Bottom characters, including:
• SpongeBob, the show’s main character;
• Sandy Cheeks, a science-loving squirrel;
• Patrick Star, SpongeBob’s best friend;
• Mr. Krabs, the greedy owner of the Krusty Krab restaurant;
• Plankton, the diabolical rival of Mr. Krabs;
• Gary, SpongeBob’s pet snail; and
• Squidward Tentacles, SpongeBob’s grumpy neighbor and co-worker.
Two other stamps feature close-ups of SpongeBob’s goofy smile. The fourth design shows SpongeBob and Patrick frolicking on the sandy ocean floor.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using art provided by Nickelodeon.
A release event will take place in New York City’s Times Square.
The SpongeBob SquarePants Forever stamps will be available in panes of 16 at Post Offices and on usps.com.
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People
USPS has talent
Employees, customers and Ben Franklin himself participate in the Postal Service’s 250th anniversary
The Postal Service’s dedication ceremony for its new 250 Years of Delivering stamps showcased the musical talents of three employees.
Mike Porter, a communications specialist for the chief processing and distribution officer’s organization, welcomed attendees with two Elvis Presley tunes: “Return to Sender” and “Love Me.”
Porter was accompanied by Steve Kochersperger, the USPS historian, who played guitar.
“I was honored to be a part of this historic celebration. I am a third-generation postal employee, so it was not only a special moment for me, but for my entire family,” said Porter, who also performed the national anthem.
The July 23 ceremony, held outside the Postal Service’s headquarters in Washington, DC, was part of the organization’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Abby Martin, an integration and support manager, also warmed up the crowd with a fiddle performance of “Old Joe Clark” and “Devil’s Dream.” Porter and Martin previously performed together at an event during the National Postal Forum in April.
Next-gen philately
Sachaye Walker, a high school teacher and stamp collector from Nashville, TN, was one of the attendees at the stamp dedication ceremony, where she met with Sheila Holman, the USPS marketing vice president, and Lisa Bobb-Semple, stamp services director.
Walker, the youngest member of the Nashville Philatelist Club, is teaching a new generation about the U.S. Mail.
As an end-of-year project, she has her students write and send two letters, choosing two stamps from her collection to use as postage.
“My requirement is two letters, but it is a beauty to see them want to write more, mail more. We go over the process of where to find a mailbox, and where to find more stamps if they want,” she said.
It is gratifying for Walker, because at the beginning of the project, many don’t know all the Postal Service has to offer.
“So many kids just need an access point and then they are in,” she said.
Ben there, done that
The USPS 250th anniversary celebration also included a family-oriented party at the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, on July 26.
Among the highlights: Brian Patrick Mulligan, a Benjamin Franklin impersonator, told the story of the Postal Service’s founding.
It was the latest appearance as Franklin for the actor and historical impersonator, who has also played the first postmaster general on dozens of TV shows, including “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Tonight Show.”
Just how long has Mulligan been playing Franklin?
“Three hundred nineteen years,” he said. “Well, really 35.”
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News Quiz
Say what?
Test your memories of the 250 Years of Delivering stamp ceremony
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. Which speaker at the 250 Years of Delivering stamp ceremony said the following: “I ask all of you to use the mail to stay connected, especially when we feel ourselves starting to drift apart.”
a) Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS
b) National Postal Museum Director Elliot Gruber
c) USPS Board of Governors Chairwoman Amber McReynolds
d) Postmaster General David Steiner
2. The new Forever stamp depicting Benjamin Franklin is a modern interpretation of a 5-cent stamp originally released in what year?
a) 1776
b) 1847
c) 1851
d) 1868
3. When and where will USPS announce the winner of its Stamp Encore contest?
a) October 2025, New York City
b) December 2025, Philadelphia
c) January 2026, Chicago
d) May 2026, Boston
4. What had happened to the customer before Bridgeport, CT, Letter Carrier Ryan Thompson came to his aid?
a) He crashed his vehicle into a tree.
b) He fell off his ladder while painting.
c) He injured his ankle stepping off the curb.
d) He was knocked to the ground by strong winds.
5. What USPS position did Stephen Kochersperger hold for 25 years prior to becoming the organization’s historian?
a) Letter carrier
b) Postmaster
c) Rural carrier associate
d) Retail associate
Answers: 1) d. 2) b. 3) d. 4) d. 5) b.
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What's included
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This dog stole a letter carrier’s heart
The Texas employee was first in line to become the pet’s new owner
-
These stamps come from Bikini Bottom
A new release features SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends
-
People
USPS has talent
Employees, customers and Ben Franklin himself participate in the Postal Service’s 250th anniversary
-
News Quiz
Say what?
Test your memories of the 250 Years of Delivering stamp ceremony