40 Years on Same Route

By RoseMesenger-Mannisto

North Lauderdale Letter Carrier John Brown started his career in January 1972 deliveringmail in his hometown of Livingston, New Jersey.  His hourly wage at that time was $3.60 anhour, which he says was “a decent wage for back then.”

Brown wasassigned to a T-6 position in New Jersey and transferredto Pompano Beachin 1975.  In December of 1978 he wasawarded route 6812 in North Lauderdale.  He has never left 6812 and continues todeliver that route to this day.  That is33 years of delivering high quality service on the same route.

He standsout in the community, considered family by many of his customers and isincluded in many of their functions. He has attended weddings, parties and evenfunerals of his customers who he has known for over three decades.  Brown has gone above and beyond his role of lettercarrier by aiding his patrons in need on many occasions.  He came to the assistance of an elderly manwho had suffered a stroke, by making him comfortable and staying with him untilthe paramedics arrived.  Another time hewas extremely helpful to a mother with her child when they had realized theirhome had been broken into. He entered the house to make sure it was clear from invadersbefore letting them enter.

Brown servedas Shop Steward for the National Association of Letter Carriers in North Lauderdale for overfive years.  Several years ago, theNational Safety Council presented him with a plaque as a member of the MillionMile club for accident free safe driving.

Brown haswatched as children grew up in his delivery area, move away and come back withtheir own children, surprised to see the same mailman still providing the same exceptionalservice to the community with a smile.