SAN LUIS, AZ – As part of the United States Postal Service's "For the Long Haul" initiative, the San Luis Post Office is proud to celebrate U.S. Army veteran Salvador S. Pichardo’s more than 40 years of Postal Service to the San Luis community.

"For the Long Haul" is an initiative designed to honor the remarkable dedication of long-serving employees like Salvador who have become integral parts of their communities. Salvador was born in 1948, in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. When he was five years old, his family relocated to San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, where he completed his early education. He attended high school in Tijuana before his family migrated to the United States in 1965.

After relocating to the United States, Salvador worked in San Luis, Arizona, until 1968 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served for two years. During his service, he was stationed in Panama before being deployed to Vietnam and worked as a mechanic apprentice. After completing his military service, Salvador returned to San Luis.

The veteran returned to his previous job but knew that working for the Postal Service was his dream career. After a I 0-year process of applications, his determination eventually led to him becoming a part-time USPS employee in October 1981. He was later promoted to a career position as a retail associate. Additionally, he has volunteered as a city development member for the Little League Board from 2000 to 2003.

Throughout his career, Salvador has observed considerable changes in postal operations, including the transition from manual processes to computerized systems, and he has adapted to the evolving demands of the job. To better illustrate, when he began in 1981, the population of San Luis had approximately 1,946 residents and has steadily grown to an estimate of more than 35k in 2024. This not only reflects substantial population growth over the decades, indicative of the city's development, but also of the increase in services provided the customers in the San Luis area.

His commitment to his work and the community is evident in the recognition he receives from residents, who often refer to him as "the guy from the Post Office" or "the face of the Post Office." He says his efforts and commitment are devoted to the Lord, his children, and his family who have supported him throughout his journey.

“He is always a gentleman, and some refer to him as “Senor Guapo” (Mr. Handsome),” says San Luis Postmaster Larry Dean, Sr. “Since I have been here, I have older customers that will show up in line and will wait for Salvador to serve them. Salvador always arrives 15 minutes early for his shift with a pleasant ‘Good morning’ to everyone. When he finally retires, he will be fondly missed be one and all.”

His service in the U.S. Army and more than 40 years as a retail associate is marked by exceptional dedication and customer service, making a significant impact on the community.

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