Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Another knockout for Muhammad Ali
VIPs help USPS dedicate a stamp honoring ‘The Greatest’
The Postal Service celebrated Muhammad Ali Jan. 15 at the dedication ceremony for the stamp honoring the three-time heavyweight boxing champion known as “The Greatest.”
At a time when African Americans fought to have a voice, Ali (1942-2016) spoke loud and clear about his beliefs, defying expectations and empowering people around the world on his way to becoming a globally beloved cultural icon.
“We remember Muhammad as more than a great boxer. We remember a man who dared to be bold, who stood firm when it was costly and who used his fame to improve humanity,” said Ron Stroman, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, who spoke at the ceremony at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
“Today, we honor a man who was far more than the world heavyweight boxing champion. We honor a man who reshaped sports, fought for his beliefs and became a symbol of courage, decency and love.”
The first global U.S. athlete of the television age, Ali — born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville — set the mold for future generations of athletes who speak out on social issues.
At 18, he won the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. By the end of 1963, he had won all 19 of his professional fights.
With each win, his confidence grew, earning him the nickname “The Louisville Lip” for trash-talking his opponents with rhyming predictions about how many rounds it would take him to win.
In 1978, Muhammad Ali became a three-time heavyweight champion. After the fight, he announced his retirement, leaving his lifetime professional record at 56 wins and five losses, with 37 knockouts.
By the end of his boxing career, Muhammad Ali had become an inescapable cultural phenomenon. He later earned two spoken word Grammy nominations and starred on Broadway, TV and in movies.
In 1990, Ali helped secure the release of American hostages in Iraq. That same year, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
With his wife, Lonnie, Ali later opened the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville to create programs that promote respect, inspire change and advance social justice.
In 2005, Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Other speakers at the stamp ceremony included Lonnie Ali, Ali’s widow and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center; Jacqueline Coleman, Kentucky’s lieutenant governor; Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg; Greg Fischer, a former mayor of Louisville; Neil Leifer, sports photographer and filmmaker; and John Ramsey and Peter Villegas, Muhammad Ali Center board members.
Sports commentator Bob Costas served as master of ceremonies.
The ceremony also included musical performances by Pat Mathison and Victory Brinker.
The stamp — which features a black-and-white photo of Ali in his boxing stance — is available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and on usps.com.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
Are your duties in conflict with your financial interests?
USPS employees cannot let potential personal gain dictate job decisions
The Postal Service is reminding employees of the importance of identifying and avoiding financial conflicts of interest.
People may lose confidence in USPS if they think the organization’s employees are influenced by personal interests.
Federal criminal law prohibits government employees from participating in work-related matters in which they have a personal financial stake. This prohibition includes decisions that might financially affect a spouse or a minor child, as well as decisions that might affect an employee’s outside businesses or business partners.
For example, it would be a conflict of interest for a Postal Service employee to approve an invoice from a company if the employee owns more than $15,000 of stock in that company.
Employees who violate conflict of interest laws may face disciplinary action or criminal prosecution.
The USPS Ethics Office recommends that all Postal Service employees examine their financial investments, outside business relationships and outside employment for any potential conflicts with their duties.
Employees with questions or concerns should email the Ethics Office or call 202-268-6346. They can also download the USPS ethics app.
Heroes
She saw something out of the ordinary
This rural carrier found a customer in distress after noticing his dog was running loose
Rural Carrier Linda Blackmon was delivering mail to the home of an older couple in Tennessee Colony, TX, recently when she spotted their small dog in the front yard.
Knowing this was unusual, she pulled into the driveway.
After she got out of her vehicle, Blackmon heard a faint yell for help.
The Postal Service employee entered the home and found a man face down on the floor.
He was bleeding from his face and had been lying there for several hours, unable to move and unable to call for help because his phone wasn’t with him.
Blackmon called 911, contacted the customer’s wife and waited with him until paramedics arrived.
The customer later thanked Blackmon for coming to his aid.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Jan. 11-17
A new Muhammad Ali stamp and a recovered keepsake made news
Last week, Link came out swinging with stories on the new Muhammad Ali stamp, a USPS video about the release, and the dedication ceremony in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, KY.
On the business front, we told you about the organization’s improved performance during the holiday surge; Jason DeChambeau being named acting processing operations vice president and three virtual job fairs for supervisory positions scheduled for 2026.
We also explored the origins of Martin Luther King Jr. Day; highlighted a request by the USPS historical preservation architect for employees to share historic Post Office photos they may have; and offered a sneak peek at the latest Love stamps.
Postal crime also made headlines: A $10,000 hoard of pallets belonging to USPS was discovered at a business in Delaware, and a former Pennsylvania letter carrier got federal prison time for selling stolen postal money orders and mail containing checks to the ringleader of a drug gang.
In more uplifting news, the “People” column shared the story of Letter Carrier Konai Davis, who saw a social media post about a bracelet of sentimental value lost at a local parade in Demopolis, AL, and then discovered it while out on her route. “It was the best delivery I made during peak season,” she said.
Finally, “Heroes” told the story of Linda Blackmon, a rural carrier in Tennessee Colony, TX, who sensed something amiss when she saw an older couple’s dog in their front yard. She entered their home after hearing a call for help and found a man on the floor, bleeding. She called 911 and waited with the customer until paramedics arrived. He later thanked Blackmon for her help.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
January 24, 2026
Datebook
Colorado Statehood stamp ceremony
The Postal Service will dedicate its Colorado Statehood stamp on Saturday, Jan. 24, in Denver.
The event will be held at 8:30 a.m. Mountain at the History Colorado Center, located at 1200 Broadway.
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP online.
January 27, 2026
Datebook
‘Chronic Conditions’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on managing and reducing risks for high blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.
The session, “Chronic Conditions,” will be held Tuesday, Jan. 27, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
All employees to receive Inspection Service safety cards
The Inspection Service will mail cards listing safety tips and crime-reporting criteria to all USPS facilities this week.
The plastic cards, which can be clipped to employee ID lanyards, are to be distributed to all employees upon receipt. The mailings also contain a stand-up talk to be read aloud to personnel by their supervisor.
Additional cards can be ordered from the Topeka, KS, Material Distribution Center using National Stock Number 7530-18-000-5663.
Automatic reboots for ACE computers begin in February
The Postal Service will start automatically rebooting ACE computers that have not been rebooted for more than seven days or that have been disconnected from the USPS network, beginning in February.
Regular reboots keep computers functioning at optimal levels, protect against security vulnerabilities and ensure software updates are installed without delay.
Employees and contractors will receive an onscreen notification before an automatic reboot takes place and will be provided options to postpone the reboot.
The USPS ServiceNow website has more information about how to reboot an ACE computer.
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What's included
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Another knockout for Muhammad Ali
VIPs help USPS dedicate a stamp honoring ‘The Greatest’
-
Are your duties in conflict with your financial interests?
-
Heroes
She saw something out of the ordinary
This rural carrier found a customer in distress after noticing his dog was running loose
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Jan. 11-17
A new Muhammad Ali stamp and a recovered keepsake made news
-
January24Datebook
Colorado Statehood stamp ceremony
-
January27Datebook
‘Chronic Conditions’
-
Brief
All employees to receive Inspection Service safety cards
-
Brief
Automatic reboots for ACE computers begin in February