LEAVING IN STYLE: (Left photo) At Winston-Salem North Point Station, City Letter Carrier Harold Voss (center) displays Million Mile plaque and Sick Leave certificate alongside WS Postmaster Dave Barcio (left) and DM Russ Gardner. (Right photo) Voss in one of his last days casing mail.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC —Retiring Winston-Salem North Point city letter carrier Harold Voss recently brought new meaning to the term, “going out on top”.

In front of television cameras and his fellow employees, District Manager Russ Gardner and Postmaster Dave Barcio presented Voss with two coveted honors. He received the Million Mile Club award, for going one million miles in his career without a preventable motor vehicle accident, and a Perfect Attendance Award, for working 46 years without taking one day of sick leave.

“Harold’s career is a model for all employees to emulate, and not just letter carriers,” said Barcio. “It speaks volumes to his professionalism, his attention to detail, and true dedication to his craft. This is the first time I can remember anyone being recognized for both achievements, and what better way to end your career than being considered one of the best?”

Voss, a resident of King, NC, leaves with 4800 sick leave hours on his record. “I grew up poor and all we knew was we had to work and provide for our families, no matter what the obstacles,” he said. “I also remember being unable to sleep sometimes worrying about the traffic I would be facing the next day on my route. I took my job very seriously, but now it’s time to go.”

The Million Mile Club award is the highest honor given to a professional driver in the workplace by the National Safety Council, for drivers who drive for at least 30 years accident-free. Voss is one of only six employees in the Greensboro District to receive this honor.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.