Friday, September 11, 2026
This stamp salutes the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
The school is celebrating its 150th anniversary
The Postal Service will release a stamp honoring the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Established in 1876 by an act of Congress, the academy in New London, CT, today has a student body of approximately 1,100 cadets. Graduates commit to at least five years of service and earn both a bachelor’s degree and a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using photographs of the USCGC Eagle, a tall ship that serves as the academy’s primary training vessel, and USCGC Bertholf, a Legend-class national security cutter.
The Eagle photo was taken by Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Thieme and the Bertholf photo was taken by Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Strohmaier.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy stamp will be available in sheets of 20 at Post Offices and at usps.com.
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This NYC employee evacuated co-workers on 9/11
Sandra Hecht led her colleagues to safety after second plane crash
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the Sept. 10, 2015, edition of Link.
Like many people, New York City Customer Services Supervisor Sandra Hecht will never forget Sept. 11, 2001.
Hecht was working at Church Street Station, across the street from the Twin Towers, when she and her co-workers heard an enormous crash at 8:46 a.m. They ran outside and saw a massive hole in the North Tower.
“My heart stopped as I watched people jumping out of the building’s windows,” Hecht said. “It was a sight so horrific and alarming that when I think of it 14 years later, it still shakes me to my core.”
At 9:03 a.m., the second plane crashed into the South Tower. “That’s when all hell broke loose,” Hecht said. “We all ran. I shouted, ‘Don’t turn around, just keep following me.’”
By the end of the day, Hecht and her group had traversed six miles through the chaotic Manhattan streets. They felt like they were running for their lives.
“We learned the meaning of support and courage that day. It’s a bond that will last forever,” Hecht said.
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People
No slowing down
A processing clerk keeps it old-school, students honor a carrier and safe drivers take the wheel
Seymour Saferstein has worked at USPS longer than most of his colleagues have been alive.
The 94-year-old mail processing clerk was looking for steady work after leaving the military and started his career as a temporary holiday hire in 1960.
The Detroit Processing and Distribution Center employee has operated letter and barcode sorting machines over the years, but his current position involves sorting letters manually.
“People still make mistakes when addressing their mail that can’t be caught in automation. I believe I have an edge in sorting mail because I still know all the 481-482 schemes,” he said, referring to Detroit-area ZIP Codes. “Unlike today, employees don’t need to know the schemes because of automation.”
That knowledge has paid off. “Seymour is the ideal employee,” Distribution Operations Supervisor Shanta Agee said. “He is a great example for today’s employees.”
The postal veteran still looks forward to coming to work every day.
“I’ve enjoyed working for the Postal Service because of the atmosphere to stay busy, to learn new things and all the wonderful people I have met,” he said.
He’s not done yet.
“As long as I stay healthy and there is still a manual operation, I have no plan to retire,” he said.
‘Mr. Greg’ gets a round of applause
Carrier Technician Gregory Gormong is famous in Carmel, IN — at least to the children enrolled at Primrose School.
He’s become a familiar face to the students who excitedly race to the playground fence to wave at his vehicle as he arrives to make deliveries.
Known to the preschoolers as “Mr. Greg,” he was recently surprised with handmade thank-you cards, posters and messages of appreciation from the kids. The show of gratitude was meant to recognize his service to the community.
In return, Gormong gave the schoolchildren an up-close look at his mail truck, answered questions about the mail, and shared that the most rewarding part of his job was watching them grow up.
Gormong said he planned to display the cards and posters at his Post Office to share with co-workers.
Aces behind the wheel
The National Safety Council recently honored four letter carriers — one representing each retail and delivery area — with its Joseph M. Kaplan Safe Driver Award, which recognizes drivers who have driven for 15 years or 100,000 miles without a preventable collision.
James Sawyer (Atlantic Area), James Thomas (Central Area), Richard McDonald (Southern Area) and Larry Marez (WestPac Area) received the award.
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News Quiz
Flying easier at the Post Office
What do you know about USPS offering TSA PreCheck enrollment services?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. Why is USPS now offering TSA PreCheck enrollment services to its customers?
a) It will expand the organization’s revenue streams.
b) Postal Pulse survey respondents suggested it.
c) Postmasters say it will increase retail traffic.
d) The Department of Homeland Security mandated it.
2. What USPS icon is featured as travel fashion company Sprayground’s first officially licensed toy?
a) A blue collection box
b) An LLV mail delivery vehicle
c) Mr. ZIP
d) The sonic eagle
3. How much money has been raised through the sale of the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp since its introduction in 2017?
a) $500,000
b) $850,000
c) $1 million
d) $1.7 million
4. What is the subject of the latest episode of “Mailin’ It!,” the USPS podcast?
a) A crime syndicate stealing LLVs
b) An identity theft operation involving stolen mail
c) Fraudulent workers’ compensation claims
d) People impersonating mail carriers
5. Which author established World Letter Writing Day in 2014?
a) Lauren Groff
b) Stephen King
c) Tayari Jones
d) Richard Simpkin
Answers: 1) a. 2) b. 3) d. 4) b. 5) d.
Fly flags at half-staff to honor 9/11 terrorist attack victims
President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff Friday, Sept. 11, to honor victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
USPS facilities are required to fly the flag at half-staff this day, also known as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.
To fly the flag at half-staff, hoist the flag to the peak for an instant and then lower it to the half-staff position. The flag should be raised to the peak again before it’s lowered for the day.
For additional information, refer to the Postal Service’s Administrative Support Manual, which explains the organization’s guidelines on U.S. flag display and maintenance.
Canada Post unable to ship stamps to U.S. customers
Canada Post, that country’s designated postal service, is unable to ship stamps and other philatelic products ordered through its website to customers and collectors in the United States.
Shipments of online sales to destinations in the United States have been suspended since Aug. 18. According to Canada Post, the suspension is because of a technical issue related to recent changes in customs requirements, and the organization is working to find a solution.
There currently is no expected date for restoration of U.S. order fulfillment.
Customers with questions are encouraged to go to the Canada Post customer service website.
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What's included
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This stamp salutes the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
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This NYC employee evacuated co-workers on 9/11
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People
No slowing down
A processing clerk keeps it old-school, students honor a carrier and safe drivers take the wheel
-
News Quiz
Flying easier at the Post Office
What do you know about USPS offering TSA PreCheck enrollment services?
-
Brief
Fly flags at half-staff to honor 9/11 terrorist attack victims
-
Brief
Canada Post unable to ship stamps to U.S. customers