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Letter carriers who rescued residents from burning homes, saved a young boy who had darted onto a busy highway and stopped an assault and robbery targeting several women will be honored on Sept. 21 in Washington, DC.
Other carriers also are being recognized as heroes—for having brightened the lives of children with disabilities, rescued a girl from a vicious dog attack or provided help to families struggling with substance abuse.
The honorees represent thousands of letter carriers who not only deliver the mail to 155 million households and businesses across the country six or even seven days a week, but often assist in situations involving car crashes, fires, crimes or health crises or otherwise improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.
- Mark Pizzo, a member of Rock Hill, SC Branch 1003, saved a girl by fighting with a pit bull that had her head in its jaws. He is the National Hero of the Year.
- Bradley Gentz, a member of Mason City, IA Branch 471 and an Army veteran who lives in Osage, noticed a boy sitting in a wheelchair on his mail route and transformed the young man’s life by participating with him in marathons around the country. He is Humanitarian of the Year.
- Lars Edleblute, a member of York, PA Branch 509, saved a boy who ran from his mother during a heavy downpour and jumped a fence onto a highway. He is the Eastern Hero of the Year.
- Michael Murphy, a member of Hazelwood, MO Branch 5847, a Marine Corps veteran and a Navy reservist, tackled a cinderblock-wielding man attacking women in two cars. He is the Central Region Hero of the Year.
- David Crestik, a member of San Diego Branch 70 and the Western Region Hero of the Year, spotted smoke coming from a home and carried an injured resident to safety.
- Evangeline Johnson, a member of Detroit Branch 1, is receiving the Carrier Alert Award for helping a woman and her daughter escape from a house engulfed in flames.
- Patrick Byrne, a member of Lynn, MA Branch 7 and an Army veteran, helps others break through the stigma of substance abuse after losing his own son. He will receive the Education Award.
- And letter carriers from Syracuse, NY Branch 134, who delighted a seriously ill child by organizing a parade of postal trucks and other community service vehicles to welcome him home after months in the hospital, will get the Branch Service Award.
The National Association of Letter Carriers Heroes of the Year will be honored by NALC President Fredric Rolando at a special luncheon at noon on Wed., Sept. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Go to nalc.org/heroes for further information on the Heroes.