PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Postal Service is observing the 20th anniversary of the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which was created in 2003 to commend USPS employees who go above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of situations, such as assisting lost children, getting help for sick or injured customers, spotting fires, and more.

Joseph Grabauskas, a letter carrier in Wilmington, was the first recipient of the award for his heroic actions in 2003 when he helped evacuate residents – many of them elderly – from an apartment complex that flooded during heavy pre-Hurricane Isabel rains.  He carried an 82-year-old woman through raging waters to safety. He then returned to her home and retrieved her oxygen and breathing machine. He also saved two boys who could not hold onto their mother in flooding waters.

“His is just one of the incredible stories of the thousands of heroes that have worked for the United States Postal Service,’ said Paul F. Smith, spokesman. “From saving customers in floods and fires to assisting the elderly and little children lost, the treasure trove of their heroic actions is truly inspirational.”

Around 5,500 individuals, known as PMG heroes, have been recognized through the program, which reflects a simple, yet powerful, idea: Because they know the habits of their customers and the rhythms of their communities, Postal Service employees are often the first to notify emergency personnel and render aid when something is wrong.

Potential PMG heroes are nominated by postal colleagues. After approved nominees receive a commendation letter from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, they are featured in the “Heroes’ Corner” column on Link, the organization’s national employee news site, where it has become a popular mainstay. In 2020, “Heroes’ Corner” received a national award for excellence in employee communications.

PMG heroes’ stories are archived at link.usps.com/heroes to illustrate how Postal Service employees do so much more for their communities than deliver mail.

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