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Beloved Mailman Receives Epic Last Day From ‘Family’ Along His 35-Year-Long Route

Photo: Pexels
Photo: Pexels
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By Lindsay Elizabeth
Author

May 24, 2019

For almost 35 years, Floyd Martin has delivered the mail to the people of Marietta, Georgia, but he has been much more than just a mailman to them.

In a Twitter thread, Jennifer Brett, a senior reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, shared how in joining Floyd on his mail route, she learned how much of an impact he has made on the community.

THREAD: Floyd Martin retires after nearly 35 years as a mailman tomorrow. I went with him on his route today. pic.twitter.com/qZhUVY7Sz8

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019

Even before Floyd began his job as a mailman, he was already plugged into the community, graduating from Marietta High School in 1975. After he graduated he took the postal service test, but unfortunately, by the time they got back to him, he had a job at a local bank.

But that did not stop the USPS. They offered to double his pay, and Martin began his career with the U.S. postal service.

He graduated from Marietta High School in 1975 and took the postal service test a few years later. By the time they got in touch he already had a job at a bank, but the USPS offered to double his pay. "I was like, OK when you do want me to start?" pic.twitter.com/P304AP4tAs

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019

After serving his community for almost 35 years, Floyd is retiring.

“My people are so good to me,” he said to Brett while hand delivering mail. “I’m going to miss them.”

Lots of the "mail" Floyd picked up today was hand-delivered. "My people are so good to me," he said. "I'm going to miss them." pic.twitter.com/e6Mi8WctZl

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019

The impact Floyd has had on Marietta

Whether it’s a resident Floyd has been delivering to for decades, or a young child who looks up to Floyd, or even the neighborhood pets, everyone knows and loves Floyd.

The Marietta residents are sad to see Floyd go, but are grateful for all that he has done for them over the years. Lorraine Wascher is one of them.

Wascher, a long-time Marietta resident, shared a hug with Floyd when he delivered her mail, saying “He always had a smile, always had a wave.”

Lorraine Wascher was waiting for him today. She's been a stop on his route for more than 20 years. "He always had a smile, always had a wave." pic.twitter.com/v8dD8CVoq9

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019

“His presence and smile are such an integral part of our 28 years here,” said Trish Nicolas, another resident of Marietta.

One resident, Amanda Seals, even shared that Floyd had such an impact on her grandmother that she remembers him despite her dementia.

“Dementia has set in, and she doesn’t see well anymore, but she still knows Floyd,” Seals said.

Floyd has many friends, both old and young. One child, Mae Bullington even dressed up as Martin when her school had a career day.

“I was so flattered,” he said. “It touched my heart.”

Kids on his route love, love, L-O-V-E Mr. Floyd. Little Mae Bullington dressed up as Mr. Floyd on the day her school had career day. "I was so flattered," he said. "It touched my heart." pic.twitter.com/BbeT3AlhHp

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019

While Brett was on route with Floyd, he introduced her to Jim Pietrowski, a man on his route that he calls a friend.

Jim’s wife shared a heartfelt memory of Floyd bringing their kid’s lollipops when they were little, and them awaiting his arrival by the window.

"This is my friend Jim," Floyd said, introducing Jim Pietrowski. Jim's wife Charlotte recalled when the kids next door were little, they'd wait at the window for Mr. Floyd to roll up. They knew he was good for a lollipop. "When we met Floyd, it was like he was an old friend." pic.twitter.com/a0UZ36uGLV

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019

Floyd’s impact stretches far and wide, with even the neighborhood pets loving him and looking forward to his visits.

One neighbor, Peggy Corn, who has been on Floyd’s route for decades, said that all the neighborhood pets know him and his buggy.

“He feeds all the cats,” Corn shared. “The dogs, too.”

"He feeds all the cats," said Peggy Corn, who's been on Floyd's route for decades. "They all know him, and they know that buggy!"
"The dogs, too," Floyd said. "The dogs get Milk Bones." pic.twitter.com/ktZSBxlgfE

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 22, 2019

“I’ll be back. Y’all are my life,” Martin said to a resident.

The neighborhood reaction

On his last day, the neighborhood surprised Floyd by decorating their mailboxes in honor of his retirement.

Update! People on Floyd's route decorated their mailboxes to surprise him on his last day pic.twitter.com/7vo8Gepv2s

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019

The mailboxes were covered in balloons, colorful streamers, and thank you notes from the families on his route.

I mean they were *all* into it. pic.twitter.com/8nkF8Deg9B

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019

Not only did the neighbors go all out when it came to decorating their mailboxes, but they threw a block part in his honor following his last shift.

Once his very last shift was finally over, the neighborhood had another surprise for Mr. Floyd. 300+ people came to a covered dish block party in his honor. pic.twitter.com/8UvAclP6CA

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019

“People stood in line all night for hugs and photos,” Brett wrote. “Floyd’s known these guys since they were babies.”

“Now you guys are as tall as I am!” Floyd said while hugging the guys.

People stood in line all night for hugs and photos. Floyd's known these guys since they were babies. "Now you guys are as tall as I am!" pic.twitter.com/yb6UwiyJtz

— Jennifer Brett (@Jennifer__Brett) May 24, 2019

Hundreds of people lined up for photos, shared memories about their time with Floyd, and gave him hug after hug.

“Thank you for caring about me. We’ve gone through good times and bad times together,” he left them with. “You were there when I needed you, even if you didn’t know it.”

The power of social media

Floyd who has served the community of Marietta for years now, wants to travel to Hawaii, as it has been a life long goal of his.

Neighbors, who knew of Floyd’s dreams, set up a Go-Fund-Me to get him to Hawaii. They have already raised over $12,000, greatly exceeding their goal of $5,000.

Thanks to social media and Jennifer Brett, Floyd’s dreams are about to become more real than he ever imagined.

Delta, the airline company, stumbled upon Floyd’s story, and has now offered to give Floyd a free flight to Hawaii.

“A trip to Hawaii is the perfect way to celebrate a wonderful career,” they wrote. “We’d love to to take care of Mr. Martin’s flight.”

A trip to Hawaii is the perfect way to celebrate a wonderful career. We’d love to to take care of Mr. Martin’s flight. Let’s connect on the details in DM.

— Delta (@Delta) May 24, 2019

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