Mail carrier retires after nearly 4 decades of service

BROKEN BOW - Broken Bow Postmaster Pam Young presented Clifford Moore with a Service Award in commemoration of his 37 years of service to the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Moore is retiring from delivering mail for Route 2 out of Ansley including the communities of Westerville, Weissert and Berwyn. With 250 mail boxes and a 123-mile route per day, averaging 40,000 miles a year, that would be 1,280,000 miles traveled over the years!

“In the beginning with an inch of rain, you could not get over the roads with a 74 Ford LTD,” Moore said. Now with the better shape of country roads and all wheel drive vehicles, he said the route is better to drive.

Stopping to help a motorist change a tire or lend a helping hand was something Moore did. With cell phones, when he had a break down, he could also get help better. “It still took my wife over two hours to come get me,” he said, explaining that it was not always easy to tell someone where you were before GPS (global positioning systems).

One does not think about it, however, right-handed drive made mail carries life a bit easier. “It used to be you would sit in the middle (of the vehicle seat),” Moore said. “Pretty soon it takes a toll on your back, hips and shoulders.”

Moore said he will miss the people he has worked with and worked for, adding that he has enjoyed special treats, baked and canned goods, given by his patrons during over his years of service.

There is one thing he won’t miss, however. “I won’t miss a Tuesday morning mail after a Monday holiday,” he said.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock Pictured at left, Clifford Moore, right, and Pam Young holds a Service Award signed by USPS District Manager Mark Talbott, recognizing Moore’s 37 years on the job as a mail carrier with the USPS.