The death of a loved one ranks as one of life’s most stressful events. Imagine the pain and stress a family would experience if a priceless package from the Department of the Navy containing mementos from a naval interment was inadvertently sent to a former address and the family of the deceased never received it.
Because of the resourceful actions of Blythe, CA, Letter Carrier Jon Escher, the package got to the family preventing additional sorrow and stress. Customer Teresa Morgan wrote to express her gratitude: “When my father died he was cremated. He was a decorated WWII Navy Veteran. We discovered that the Navy offered interment at sea for former service members. The U.S. Navy “Burial at Sea Program” comes with full military honors, including an American Flag draping the remains, the playing of taps and a rifle salute. The ship then prepares a package of all the items used: a DVD of the ceremony, a letter from the Captain, the spent gun shells and the GPS coordinates of the ceremony. The package is shipped to the next of kin.
“The Navy inadvertently sent the package to my former address in Blythe. We had left that address almost two years ago and our forwarding notice had expired. But thanks to our former letter carrier Jon, our story has a happy ending. The fact that Jon took the time and cared enough, builds our faith in mankind.
Jon was always more than just a letter carrier. He always looked out for our home when we were out of town. He is truly a man of integrity and we are indebted to him for his kindness.”
The package arrived at the Blythe Post Office severely damaged, but with the contents intact. Escher was walking to his case when he spotted the name and address on the package. He recognized the name noted that the sender was the Department of the Navy. He knew it was important. The customer’s daughter, who still lived in Blythe, was contacted and Escher delivered the package to her, who then sent it on to her mother in Texas.
“Mr. Escher is a great carrier who is very conscientious,” said Blythe Postmaster Oscar Gracia. “He understands the importance of customer service and he always takes pride in his work.” “If this package was meant for me, I would want someone to act in a similar manner,” said Escher, a 17-year postal employee.
