The Alabama District a Big Winner at the Iron Bowl

Although the Iron Bowl is being played as Postmarks types this post, one thing is already clear: the Alabama District scored a big victory in the off-the-field events. This morning before the game, sales of the Iron Bowl 75th Anniversary Commemorative Envelope were phenomenal when we visited the Tuscaloosa Main Post Office. 



            Customer Phillip Casteel shows off his purchase. We know which team he is rooting for!



Tuscaloosa Distribution Clerk Wes Fuller made sure to buy a handful on his break.





SSDA Pam Conley counts out 18 commemorative envelopes purchased by one customer. Pam and all of the other Tuscaloosa window clerks really had to be on their toes this morning.





Customer Deborah Lavender (whose husband happens to be a Postal employee) stopped by to get her share.





  Customer Bill Swartz is happy to have us peek at the lovely cards that make up his hand. Would you call that a full house?






Opelika Supervisor Ray Porterfield (l) and Valley Postmaster Shawn Daley (r) stop by on their way to the big game. Even on their days off, they can't resist the urge to visit the Post Office.

If you would like to purchase your own Iron Bowl 75th Anniversary Commemorative Envelope, they go on sale at many other Post Offices across the state starting tomorrow. You'd better get them soon because supplies are limited, and this already appears to be a very popular collector's item and holiday gift.

A True Hero

On November 15, 2010, Mobile AMS Specialist Mary Freeman attended the JINSA Grateful Nation Awards on behalf of her son, Christopher, who was one of six recipients. According to JINSA, "The Grateful Nation Award, established in 2003, is presented annually to six young heroes recognized for having distinguished themselves through superior conduct in the War on Terrorism. Honorees are chosen by their respective service and come from the enlisted, noncommissioned officer and junior officer ranks. Honorees represent each of the five branches of the U.S. military and the U.S. Special Operations Command."

Christopher, a pararescue team leader in the US Army, declined to attend the event himself because he didn't want another soldier to have to deploy in his place, so his mother Mary, his wife, and his father-in-law were flown to Washington to accept the award on his behalf. 

He received the award for multiple actions of bravery in the War on Terrorism while serving in Afghanistan, including saving the lives of three wounded soldiers in a casualty evacuation mission while sustaining enemy fire. So far, Christopher is responsible for treating 147 patients and saving 98 lives. 

We'll have more about Christopher in the upcoming issue of Postmarks, and we thank Mary Freeman and Rebecca DeMouy for sharing his story with us. 

On the Thanksgiving Day, we are grateful for the unselfish service and dedication of Christopher and all of our other active duty soldiers who are away from their families today. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Postal Family Bowling

Last Sunday, all Alabama District CFC contributors were invited to a bowling party at Brunswick Lanes in Hoover. Hundreds of people attended the 3-shift affair, and everybody had a blast, as you can see in the following pictures:

At the party, all CFC contributors were entered in a variety of drawings. Here is a list of the 21 winners:

1. Audrey Betts (Annex T1) - $16.00 dinner Gift Certificate to Golden Temple

2. Kathleen Martin (Mgr, Injury Comp) - Free Hair Cut at SportClips & Dinner Certificate to Fifes
3. Eric Coleman (Bham Plant - T1) - Certificate for 1 hour Free Bowling at Oak Mountain Lanes for up to 5 people w/ free shoe rental
4. John Ollie (Green Springs Carrier Facility) - $16.00 dinner Gift Certificate to Golden Temple
5. Lisa Parker (Center Point) - Dinner Certificate to Fifes
6. Merrill Ponder (Shelby Post Office) - $25 Gift Certificate to Dreamland Barbecue
7. Ricky Pulliam (West End Post Office) - Dinner Certificate to Fifes
8. Calvin White (Annex) $20.00 Dinner Gift Certicate to McCormick & Schmick's
9. Denise Daffron (Ragland Post Office) - One Free Round of Golf w/ 1/2 cart included at Bent Brook Golf Course
10. Robert Sealy (Center Point) - $5.00 worth of Food at Tony's Hot Dogs in Southgate Shopping Center (Hwy 31 South)
11. Stephany Allison (Finance) -$21.00 MVP & Hair Cut Gift Certificate at SportClips
12. J. J. Rutledge (Woodlawn Post Office) - $10 worth of Food at Tony's Hot Dogs in Southgate Shopping Center (Hwy 31 South)
13. Anthony Ruffin (Bham Plant-T1) - $21.00 MVP & Hair Cut Gift Certificate at SportClips
14. Helen Norred (Lineville Post Office ) - One Free Round of Golf w/ 1/2 cart included at Bent Brook Golf Course & $5.00 worth of Food at Tony's Hot Dogs

The Seven Winners below received a (2010 Trail Card to Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail) that can be used at 1 of 10 Locations:
15. Rebecca Smith (Montevallo) 16. Christopher Ritchey (Shannon) 17. Stephanie Young (Shelby)
18. LaWanda Harper (Center Point) 19. Francetta Gray (Hoover) 20. Leora Byrd (Hueytown)
21. Sheila Lynch (Woodlawn)

"Be the Match!" says Shaq

A message from Alabama District Nurse Kathryn Sherrill: 

The Sweet Taste of Victory at the Pelham Post Office

Pelham Carrier Kimberly Humphrey was one of four Quarter 3 winners of the Rural Reach/ Customer Connect Contest.  Winners were determined from a combination of the numbers of leads submitted with the most successful leads that resulted in sales of $25,000 or more. The winning offices received breakfast.

Pictured are Kimberly Humphrey (l) with Pelham Postmaster Rhonda Kimbrough. Kimberly received breakfast provided for the entire Pelham Post Office staff, a certificate of appreciation, and a gift of Postal memorabilia from Kimbrough for having submitted a successful lead for the store Bama Fever/ Team Fever, which brought in $35,000 of revenue to the USPS.

When asked about her approach to submitting leads, Kimberly replied, "I just know that we have a great product and that we give a much better price and better service. And coming from me, because they know me, my customers believe me."

Congratulations, Kimberly, and we look forward to hearing about who is going to win this quarter.

American Indian Heritage Month

Don't forget about the American Indian History Month Festival 2010 that is being held tomorrow in Dothan. From Come See Alabama:

American Indian History Month Festival


Please join the nine recognized American Indian Tribes of Alabama as we welcome friends from around the southeastern United States Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Dothan Civic Center in Dothan, Alabama for American Indian History Month Festival 2010. Activities include: gourd dancing, grand entry in traditional dress, traditional powwow dancing, stomp dance, host northern drum & host southern drum, guest southern drum, flute music, living history exhibits by recognized tribes, storytelling and lots of great door prizes for the audience. This year's guest flutist will be Emerson Begay (Navajo). Other special guest: The Nation of Change Dancers, Muscogee Creek Nation Stomp Dancers Speedy & Saundra Harley and Story Teller Laura Sanders (Star Clan of Creek Indians). Doors open at 4:30pm. Admission cost is $10.00 for spectators. Children 5 & under enter free. More event information is available at www.aifestival.net. We would also like to thank the Dothan Police Department for serving as our event security & helping us provide another great year of safe family fun for the whole community.

And before you go, you might want to learn how to greet someone in the language of their Alabama tribe. This comes from The Alabama Native American Homepage:

Alabama: Chikmaa! (pronounced "chick-mah")
Biloxi: He he! (pronounced "hay hay")
Cherokee: (pronounced "oh-see-yo")
Chickasaw: Chokma! (pronounced "choke-mah")
Choctaw: Halito! (pronounced "hah-lih-toh")
Coushatta: Ciká'nó! (pronounced "chee-kah-no")
Muskogee: Hesci! (pronounced "heese-chee")

Iron Bowl 75th Anniversary Commemorative Envelope