Monday, June 22, 2026
How the mail is marking the nation’s 250th
USPS using anniversary postmark through Aug. 31
The Postal Service recently issued a national postmark cancellation to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
The postmark is being applied in all processing plants to mail processed on automated canceling machines through August 31.
The cancellation features the text “Freedom 250” encircled by 13 stars.
Last year, USPS issued a special national postmark featuring the Eagle in Flight image to commemorate the Postal Service’s 250th anniversary.
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Heroes
She found her customer on the floor
After helping a man who had fallen, this carrier chased down his runaway cat
Rural Carrier Elena Brutti was walking up to a home in Tualatin, OR, to deliver a certified letter when she heard what sounded like someone in pain.
She realized her customer was on the floor near the front door.
He had collapsed earlier that day and couldn’t get up, but he could open the door.
The Postal Service employee got the customer a pillow to make him comfortable and then chased down the man’s cat after it bolted out the front door.
Brutti then called 911 and waited with the customer until paramedics arrived.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
People
Giving and receiving
An MA retail associate offers peace and a VA letter carrier gets support
Monna Bari, a retail associate in Cataumet, MA, learned origami — the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes — as a child from her mother.
Bari’s been busy making origami cranes to promote the new International Peace stamp, which features an image of the white bird made from folded paper.
She displays them around the Post Office for customers to take as a keepsake, if they wish.
Baris said she decided to do this because she believes in worldwide peace and because her mother is from Japan, where the story of the paper crane as a symbol of peace began.
“I take pride in my heritage, so making these cranes for community gives me inner peace,” she said.
A comeback after cancer treatment
After Letter Carrier Willie Stone was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a rare form of cancer, he was able to lean on his customers for support.
Stone has been delivering mail in Henrico, VA, for more than 40 years, and those on his route say his deliveries are “like a visit from a friend.”
“The feeling is mutual because you get a bond after years of seeing people every day. Just greeting one another, and encouraging each other,” Stone told a local TV station recently.
Treatment kept him off his route for more than six months, but he was buoyed by well-wishes from customers.
When Stone, who is now in remission, returned to work, he was greeted by signs on mailboxes and in yards welcoming him back.
“They touched me in a way that you can’t even put into words,” he said.
“People” appears regularly in Link. Got news to share? Email us.
News Quiz
Ralph Lauren designs stamps, too
How much do you know about the American Icons release?
“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 of the following Native American items is featured on one of the American Icons stamps?
a) Chippewa headdress
b) Diné (Navajo) blanket
c) Lakota beaded jewelry
d) Shawnee ceremonial pipe
2. What are the ways cybercriminals attack USPS devices with ransomware?
a) When malicious email attachments are opened.
b) When suspicious hyperlinks are clicked.
c) When unauthorized USB devices are plugged into a USPS computer.
d) All of the above
3. True or false: It is OK for current Postal Service employees to give special treatment to former employees who don’t work for a shipping competitor.
a) True
b) False
4. Why was Annapolis, MD, Retail Associate Jack Brennan named an honorary graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy?
a) He has “Beat Army” tattooed across his entire back.
b) He inspired the midshipmen with his intentional presence.
c) He passed all the midshipmen’s physical fitness tests.
d) He rescued the academy’s mascot from a fire.
5. How did Oneonta, NY, Letter Carrier Beverly Marschilok know there was a problem with one of her customers when she delivered mail to her home?
a) Delivered mail was piling up.
b) The customer’s dog was acting strangely.
c) The front porch light remained on during the day.
d) There wasn’t a daily bottle of water set out for the carrier.
Answers: 1) b. 2) d. 3) b. 4) b. 5) a.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered June 14-20
USPS to honor America’s big birthday, Juneteenth and more
Last week, Link spotlighted the myriad ways the Postal Service is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
USPS will be holding special events, selling commemorative merchandise, offering a special postmark and more. The organization is also encouraging customers to visit any of the more than 60 Post Offices that were operating in 1776 and are still open today.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was recognized on June 15. The Postal Inspection Service has tips to employees and customers to help them and the older people in their lives avoid becoming victims of imposter scams.
We shared a reminder that the Postal Service will observe Juneteenth National Independence Day on Friday, June 19.
Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021, is the oldest known nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
We also shared news of the window decals on display at USPS headquarters at L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, DC. Passerby will see five large images of the recently released American Icons stamps curated by fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
A case from the Office of Inspector General received the spotlight. It involved a Missouri carrier technician who sold her arrow key to the leader of a crime ring in return for cash and groceries which led to an arrest.
We paid homage to a bit of history with a story about pigeons that carried mail and ruled the skies between New Zealand’s Great Barrier Island and the mainland more than 100 years ago.
“Off the Clock” spotlighted Paramjit Singh, a USPS vehicle operations assistant at the San Francisco Network Distribution Center, who plays field hockey all over the world. In addition to playing pickup games every weekend and in local tournaments, he has also represented the United States in international tournaments. Singh also helps coach a local high school team when his schedule allows.
Finally, “Heroes” told the story of Tualatin, OR, Rural Carrier Elena Brutti, who prevented a catastrophe of a lost pet. She was delivering a certified letter when she heard what sounded like someone in pain.
Brutti realized her customer was on the floor near the front door. He had collapsed earlier that day and couldn’t get up, but he could open the door.
The Postal Service employee got the customer a pillow to make him comfortable and then chased down the man’s cat after it bolted out the front door.
She then called 911 and waited with the customer until paramedics arrived.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
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How the mail is marking the nation’s 250th
USPS using anniversary postmark through Aug. 31
-
Heroes
She found her customer on the floor
After helping a man who had fallen, this carrier chased down his runaway cat
-
People
Giving and receiving
An MA retail associate offers peace and a VA letter carrier gets support
-
News Quiz
Ralph Lauren designs stamps, too
How much do you know about the American Icons release?
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered June 14-20
USPS to honor America’s big birthday, Juneteenth and more