Monday, October 27, 2025
Heroes
She helped a woman escape a house fire
Annette Smith backed up her vehicle so the customer could jump onto its roof
Eaton, OH, Rural Carrier Annette Smith was delivering mail recently when she spotted smoke billowing from a home.
She parked her vehicle and joined a group of neighbors trying to help.
As one of them called 911, others banged on the door to alert any residents who might be home. They removed flammable items, including propane tanks and a lawn mower, to stop the blaze from spreading.
After a woman who was trapped on the second floor began screaming for help, Smith backed her postal vehicle up to the house to provide a way for the woman to escape.
The woman jumped safely to the roof of the vehicle and Smith helped her down.
The woman has recovered from the incident.
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 Oct. 19-25
Holiday preparations, a baseball-loving employee and more made news
Last week, Link told you about the Postal Service’s preparations for the holiday shipping and mailing season.
The efforts include investing in modernizing facilities, processing equipment and delivery vehicles, as well as recent innovations in pricing and products.
We also told you about a Postal Inspection Service documentary about a 2019 case involving the killing of a rural carrier; emphasized the importance of employee safety when operating mail processing and other equipment; reminded you that USPS doesn’t have to publicly disclose certain commercial information; and previewed this year’s open season virtual fair.
The week also included stories on USPS employees, including Robert Rivera, an Ocala, FL, customer service support supervisor who spends his free time umpiring for the Savannah Bananas, a barnstorming exhibition baseball team; Annette Smith, an Eaton, OH, rural carrier who helped a customer escape a house fire; and Rosalind Smith, a Harvest, AL, retail associate who reunited a couple with a lost wedding photo.
Additionally, we told you how the Washington Crossing, PA, Post Office was renamed in honor of Susan Barnhart, a retail associate who died in a flash flood that ravaged the area in 2023.
“The Post Office was never just a job to her,” said Lynda Barnhart, Susan’s sister. “Her joy was helping others. She was the first person to help anyone she could, in any way she could.”
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
November 2, 2025
Datebook
‘Open Season 101’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on this year’s open season benefits enrollment period.
The session, “Open Season 101,” will be held Sunday, Nov. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern.
The webinar is part of a virtual benefits fair that USPS will hold during open season.
Employees can register on the fair website or by going to the MyHR website’s open season page.
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.