Pennsylvania news

July 5, 2023

Post Office Dedication Ceremony for Corporal Joseph Rodney Chapman

Corporal Joseph Rodney Chapman

What:

On Friday July 7, 2023, the Freeport, PA Post Office, located at 415 High Street, will be dedicated to Corporal Joseph Rodney Chapman.

Who:

Congressman Glenn Thompson
Mayor Zack Gent
Post Office Operations Manager Michael Golemboski
Thomas Chapman

When:

11 a.m., Friday, July 7, 2023

Where:

Freeport United Methodist Church
211 4th St.
Freeport, PA 16229

Background:

Joseph Rodney “Rod” Chapman was born in Freeport, Pennsylvania on October 28, 1921, where he was a lifelong resident and a 1939 graduate of Freeport High School.

After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Joseph Rodney Chapman was drafted into the U.S. Army and fought in the European Theater with E Company of the 144th Infantry Unit.  During his service he was captured by the Germans and was held prisoner for 7 months and 22 days before escaping.  He was also wounded twice.

Corporal Chapman was awarded a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the French Legion of Honor Award.

Upon his honorable discharge in 1945, Corporal Chapman returned to Freeport where he was reunited with his wife, Mary. He would continue his life of service by working 35 years for the Postal Service and then 20 years for Four Winds Carpeting.  Rod Chapman was extensively involved in the Freeport United Methodist Church and was also the Freeport area historian.

Joseph “Rod” Chapman passed away on December 4, 2022, at the age of 101.

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The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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