Monday, November 9, 2026
Nov. 11 is Veterans Day
The holiday honors all those who have served in the military
The Postal Service will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday was first observed a year after the end of World War I. That armistice — or ceasefire — in “the war to end all wars” took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
The next year, President Woodrow Wilson designated Nov. 11 as Armistice Day. The first commemoration featured parades, civic activities and a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
After World War II, veterans’ organizations lobbied Congress to expand the observance to honor all veterans. On June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation designating Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.
From 1971 to 1977, the observance was moved to the fourth Monday in October as part of 1968’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act. But it soon became clear that Nov. 11 held special meaning for citizens, and widespread opposition to the change led President Gerald Ford to sign legislation returning Veterans Day to Nov. 11.
Roughly 65,000 USPS employees are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces.
To mark the holiday this year, the Postal Service will mail a badge and badge clip to the home address of employees who are known to be veterans, along with a thank-you note.
This year’s Veterans Day activities also include a video message featuring Joseph Bruce, the USPS human resources vice president, and John Morgan, the organization’s delivery operations vice president.
A historical timeline of the holiday is available on the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A salute to their service
USPS releases this year’s Veterans Day video
The Postal Service has released this year’s Veterans Day video honoring employees who have served, or who are serving, in the military.
The 7-minute video includes remarks from Joseph Bruce, human resources vice president and a Marine Corps Reserve veteran; and John Morgan, delivery operations vice president and a U.S. Army veteran.
“Today, our workforce includes about 65,000 men and women who are current or former members of the armed forces,” Bruce says in the video. “We are honored — and grateful — that you have continued your service to America as a member of our team.”
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Heroes
She saw a customer fall on her face
This city carrier assistant stayed with the woman until help arrived
City Carrier Assistant Eleanor Gould was returning from her route in Millington, NJ, recently when she saw a customer who had tripped over a curb and fallen face down.
The customer broke her glasses, cut her face and scraped her body during the fall.
Gould brought the woman to a nearby bench and tended to her injuries.
Another passerby called 911, and a registered nurse stopped and helped. Gould gathered the customer’s belongings and waited for the police to arrive.
Two months later, the customer came into the Post Office to acknowledge Gould’s assistance.
“She sang the praises of Eleanor’s help, care and kindness during a time of need,” Postmaster Raymond Meyer said.
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 Nov. 1-7
Peak season readiness and a fentanyl stamp video made news
The end-of-year rush is on: Link offered articles on the organization’s peak season readiness, the soon-to-open window for USPS Operation Santa letter adopters, and the kickoff for open season on Nov. 9
November claims several observances, including Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day. USPS will recognize employees who have served in the military with a special badge and badge clip.
On the executive front, the USPS Engineering Systems group will now report to the Chief Processing and Distribution Office; Gary Reblin has been tapped to fill the new position of chief commercial officer; and Fiona Machado has been named vice president of Regulatory Pricing and Costing, a role she has filled on an acting basis since May.
Link spotlighted the all-employee Election Mail video put out by Postmaster General David Steiner, and ran an ethics reminder about the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from engaging in certain political activities.
In semipostal news, we explored the Save Vanishing Species stamp, which USPS spotlights in November; and the new USPS video on the Know the Facts About Fentanyl stamp.
Finally, “Heroes” shared the story of Eleanor Gould, a city carrier assistant in Millington, NJ, who was returning from her route when she saw a customer who had tripped and fallen flat on her face.
Gould brought the woman to a bench and tended to her injuries while a passerby called 911.
Two months later the customer visited the Post Office to express her gratitude. “She sang the praises of Eleanor’s help, care and kindness during a time of need,” Postmaster Raymond Meyer said.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
Employees can get updates by text messages
USPS employees and retirees can receive important updates about benefits, retirement and wellness programs by signing up for SMS text messaging.
They can choose the type of updates they’d like to receive by texting one or more of the following relevant keywords to 39369:
• “BENEFITS” for updates on benefits information;
• “PSHBP” for updates on the Postal Service Health Benefits Program;
• “PRECAREER” for precareer-related information;
• “RETIREE” for annuitant-related information;
• “SEMINAR” for retirement seminar updates; and
• “USPSHQ” for headquarters wellness-related information.
Standard messaging and data rates may apply. Users can unsubscribe at any time.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
Additional coverage can be found on Link’s Open Season 2026 page.
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Nov. 11 is Veterans Day
The holiday honors all those who have served in the military
-
A salute to their service
USPS releases this year’s Veterans Day video
-
Heroes
She saw a customer fall on her face
This city carrier assistant stayed with the woman until help arrived
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Nov. 1-7
Peak season readiness and a fentanyl stamp video made news
-
Brief
Employees can get updates by text messages